Vasectomy Venue
Dr Michael Read MBBS
Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure to block the passage of sperm from the testes.
It has been performed for more than 100 years. There are variations in the technique performed. At this clinic a no scalpel (keyhole) procedure is used to expose the sperm carrying tube known as the vas deferens.
This cord is cut and sealed with cautery. No stiches are required inside or to the skin. No scalpel vasectomy is being adopted as the preferred technique because it has fewer complications.
Vasectomy should be considered permanent. It can often be reversed, semen can be stored before hand and sperm can be aspirated from the testes post vasectomy. All these things are expensive and involved and should not be considered as reasons to proceed with vasectomy.
Please remember vasectomy is not immediately effective. Follow up semen samples are required to ensure sperm clearance. Contraception must continue until you are advised the semen is clear.
Vasectomy is contraception only. You should expect to have normal testes, hormones, erections, ejaculation and libido after the procedure. Many men claim their sex life is better once the worry of pregnancy risk is removed.
Vasectomy is effective contraception. It is generally accepted that failure rates are around one in one thousand because of spontaneous rejoining and opening of the tube. This is many times safer than hormonal or barrier contraception methods.
You should expect the procedure to go smoothly. Complications are few and unlikely.
Some of these include: bleeding, infection, reactions to the drugs given, sperm granuloma – small nodules related to sperm leak from the cut end of the vas deferens and post vasectomy pain syndrome can occur, but usually resolves spontaneously. Long term problems like heart disease and cancers of the prostate and testes have not been shown to be related to vasectomy.
What about pain during vasectomy? We take great care to prevent this. You will be given some sedation and pain relieving medications and some local anaesthetic to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable throughout this 20-30 minute procedure.
Before your vasectomy a consultation to explain the procedure and to ensure you are a suitable candidate for no scalpel vasectomy is desirable. You should shave the scrotum and thoroughly clean the groin and scrotum. Food and fluid should be avoided 4 hours before the procedure
After your vasectomy someone should drive you home. You should lie down on the day of the procedure, apply ice packs at intervals and plan an easy day the next day.