During a vasectomy, the tubes that move sperm from the testicles and out the urethra are cut and then tied or sealed in such a way that sperm is unable to enter the ejaculate and result in fertilization of the female egg. A traditional vasectomy is effective at achieving this end goal: sterilization. However, because it requires a needle, the approach can cause pain and, for those who have a fear of needles, distress.

As a way to allay these concerns and to provide for a more comfortable, pain-free experience, the no-needle vasectomy was introduced. But in order to go into this approach, one must first understand how a traditional vasectomy is performed.

During a traditional vasectomy, a needle is used to numb the scrotum with a local anesthetic. Two tiny incisions—one on each side of the scrotum—are then made with a scalpel, as to allow the surgeon to pull each vas deferens tube to the surface so that it can be isolated and separated from the scrotal tissue. Once the tubes are secluded from the scrotum, they are sealed off using sutures or are burned using electrical cautery.

The same techniques used to occlude the vas deferens are used with a no-needle vasectomy, but there is an exception. Instead of using a needle to inject anesthesia, a jet-injection tool is utilized. Known as a hypospray injector, the numbing instrument uses a small explosion of compressed air to force medication deep enough into the scrotal tissue to permit a nearly pain-free surgery.

Whether a traditional vasectomy or no-needle vasectomy, both are brief outpatient procedures that often take less than 30 minutes to completely perform. Since neither vasectomy is complicated, only requires a few tiny incisions and uses standard surgical instruments, a hospital stay is not necessary. The patient will only need a short recovery period (typically less than an hour) in the physician’s office or clinic before being sent home to rest.