A vasectomy is a surgical male birth control procedure. Also known as male sterilisation, the aim of this surgery is to prevent pregnancy. During the vasectomy procedure, the tubes which carry sperm from the testicles to the penis are sealed, tied or cut to prevent it from reaching the semen. A vasectomy is considered to be permanent.
20 - 30 minutes
1 - 2 days
This is a minor surgical procedure for birth control. During the operation, the vas deferens tubes within the scrotum are cut, sealed, tied or blocked so that sperm cannot get into the semen.
Although semen is still produced, the sperm is blocked from reaching the semen which is ejaculated from the penis, and so pregnancy can be avoided. A vasectomy is classed as a permanent procedure, although in some cases it may be able to reverse it, and it’s almost 100% effective.
A vasectomy doesn’t affect your sexual drive or ability to reach orgasm – it just means that your sperm will no longer reach your penis when you ejaculate.
The benefits associated with vasectomy include:
Just as with all kinds of surgical procedure, there are some risks and possible side effects related to vasectomy surgery. These include:
In rare cases a vasectomy may fail, or the vas deferens (the tubes which carry sperm) may reconnect. The risk, however, is low, and your surgeon will do their best to ensure that any possibility of this happening is minimised. You should also be aware that a vasectomy does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases and you should take precautions as normal regarding this.
There are two types of vasectomy surgery, and they’re both performed under local anaesthetic, so although you’ll be awake while the procedure is carried out, you won’t feel anything.
The first type of procedure is the conventional technique, whereby the surgeon makes one or two small incisions in the scrotum to access the vas deferens.
The alternative technique is a no-scalpel vasectomy. During this, the surgeon feels the scrotum to locate the vas deferens before using an instrument to make a small puncture hole in the skin and access the tubes.
In both cases the vas deferens are then cut, tied, or sealed before the surgeon closes the incision or puncture sites.
A vasectomy could be a suitable birth control option for you if:
You’re likely to have some mild discomfort, swelling and bruising in your scrotum for the first few days. Painkillers like paracetamol can help, and applying ice packs to the area can reduce some of the swelling and alleviate discomfort. Try to wear snug-fitting, supportive underwear which will support the scrotum and minimise swelling.
You should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and sexual activity for about a week after surgery, although you can return to work within a day or two. When you shower, make sure that you pat the area dry the area gently but thoroughly without rubbing.
You may notice that there is some blood in your semen following the operation, which is normal and not harmful.
It’s important to attend your follow-up appointments so that your progress can be monitored and any concerns you have can be addressed.
You will need to use another method of contraception for up to 12 weeks, as sperm can remain in your tubes for weeks after the operation and so there is a risk of pregnancy during this time. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled for you at 12 weeks so that a sample of your semen can be tested for sperm. In some cases, several samples may be needed before it’s confirmed that you’re sperm-free. When your semen is sperm-free, you can stop using additional contraceptive methods.
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During the procedure itself, the area being treated will be numbed. Some people may feel a pinching or pulling sensation, but not pain.
This type of surgery is miminally invasive, so although you may feel some discomfort following your vasectomy, it’s not normally painful. It’s usual to experience a degree of soreness, bruising and swelling in the scrotal area, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and rest.
Avoid strenuous activity for a few days and follow the aftercare instructions you’re given to help you heal. If you do have severe pain, or you feel that something isn’t right following your surgery, it’s important to get in touch with your healthcare provider immediately for advice.
This procedure is considered permanent and it’s more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
However, there is a small chance that you could still have some fertility following a vasectomy. As active sperm can remain in the tubes leading to the penis after the operation, you’ll have to keep using contraception for at least 12 weeks following your vasectomy operation. Sometimes it can take 6 months or more to be sperm-free.
Following your vasectomy, your semen will be tested to check that the procedure has been successful and no sperm remain.
It is possible to reverse a vasectomy – but not all vasectomies can be reversed, and there are no guarantees that fertility can be restored. The likelihood of the reversal procedure being successful will depend on several factors, including how long it’s been since the vasectomy, which technique was used originally, your fertility and your age.
During the vasectomy reversal procedure, the tubes which carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra that were previously cut are reconnected.
The potential for successful reversal may decrease over time and it’s not possible to be completely sure that this procedure will work. Because of this, you should carefully consider whether a vasectomy is right for you before you go ahead, and be certain that you will not want to have children at any point in the future.
Your timeline for returning to work will depend on the nature of your job, as well as how your individual recovery progresses. Generally, however, patients feel able to return to work a few days after their vasectomy surgery. However, if you have a physical job which involves heavy lifting or lots of strenuous activity, it could be best for your recovery to wait longer before going back to work. Your surgeon will be able to give you advice based on your specific circumstances at your consultation.
You should wait at least 7 days after your vasectomy surgery before you start to have sex again, but bear in mind that you won’t be considered completely sterile until it’s confirmed that your sperm count is zero. This could take several weeks or months and you will have to provide semen samples to be checked. Your healthcare provider will give you advice as to when it’s safe for you to restart sexual activity.
Yes, a vasectomy is usually performed under local anesthesia to ensure you’re safe and comfortable while the procedure is being performed. As the area will be numb, you won’t feel any pain or discomfort, although you may feel a pulling or pinching sensation.
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