Vasectomy

Vasectomy Surgery

A Vasectomy is simple surgery done by one of our doctors in the office, or at a surgery center or hospital. Vasectomy is a form of male birth control that cuts the supply of sperm from reaching semen. It is done by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm. Each year, more than 500,000 men in the U.S. choose vasectomy for birth control because it has low risk of problems and can usually be performed in an outpatient setting with local anesthesia.   A vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any other method of birth control, except abstinence. Only 1 to 2 women out of 1,000 will get pregnant in the year after their partners have had a vasectomy. Five Valleys Urology performs hundreds of Vasectomy procedures each year and is the regions premier provider of Vasectomy services.

Before getting a Vasectomy, you need to be sure you do not want to father a child in the future. Vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of birth control. It is important to note that Vasectomy does not protect or prevent sexually transmitted diseases. The cost of a vasectomy is far less than the cost of female sterilization (tubal ligation) or the long-term costs of other forms of female birth control. In addition, having a vasectomy means you will not have to take birth control steps before sex, such as putting on a condom.

You’ll be asked to sign a form that gives our doctor permission to do the procedure. In the procedure room, your scrotal area will be shaved and washed with an antiseptic solution. Local anesthesia will be injected to numb the area, but you’ll be aware of touch, tension, and movement. The local anesthetic should block any sharp pain. If you feel pain during the procedure, you can let your urologist know so you can get more anesthesia.

Our physicians perform both conventional and no-scalpel vasectomy.  For a conventional vasectomy, 1 or 2 small cuts are made in the skin of the scrotum to reach the vas deferens. The vas deferens is cut and a small piece may be removed, leaving a short gap between the 2 ends. Next, the urologist may sear the ends of the vas, and then tie the cut ends with a suture. These steps are then repeated on the other vas, either through the same cut or through a new one. The scrotal cuts may be closed with dissolvable stitches or allowed to close on their own. For a no-scalpel vasectomy, the urologist feels for the vas under the skin of the scrotum and holds it in place with a small clamp. A tiny puncture is made in the skin and stretched open so the vas deferens can be gently lifted out. It is then cut, tied or seared, and put back in place.

Risks

Right after surgery, there’s a small risk of bleeding into the scrotum. If you notice that your scrotum has gotten much bigger or you’re in pain, call your urologist at once. If you have a fever, or your scrotum is red or sore, you should have your urologist check for infection. There is a small risk for post-vasectomy pain syndrome. Post-vasectomy pain syndrome is a steady pain that can follow a vasectomy. It isn’t clear what causes this, but it’s most often treated with anti-swelling meds. Sometimes men will choose to have the vasectomy undone to try to stop the pain. Having the vasectomy undone doesn’t always solve the problem. Studies show men who’ve had a vasectomy aren’t at a higher risk for heart disease, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, or other health problems.

There is a risk you might later change your mind and wish to father a child. Although it is possibly to have a vasectomy reversal, it may not always work. You may still be able to father a child through in vitro fertilization, however this technique is expensive and may also not work.

If you have chronic testicular pain or testicular disease, you are not a good candidate for vasectomy.