Vasectomy Information

The decision to proceed with a vasectomy is a very personal one. So it is important that you have a clear understanding of what a vasectomy is and what it is not. The following will provide you with information that will assist you in deciding whether or not a vasectomy is an appropriate form of contraception for you.

What is a vasectomy? A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure designed to interrupt the sperm transportation between the testicle and the penis.

How is a vasectomy performed?

Vasectomies are performed in the office. On the day of the procedure, the patient will be asked to sign a surgical consent form. Once the patient has signed the consent form and has been brought into the procedure room, the area will be washed with an antiseptic solution. Local anesthesia will be injected to numb the area but the patient will be aware of touch, tension and movement during the procedure. However, the local anesthetic eliminates any sharp pain. The patient is awake during the procedure so, if necessary, they can let the surgeon know if they are experiencing discomfort so more local anesthesia can be given. The surgeon uses a special instrument to make tiny punctures in the skin and stretch the opening so the vas deferens can gently be lifted out. The vas deferens is cut and a 1 inch segment is removed leaving a gap between the two remaining ends. Next, the surgeon ties the cut ends and cauterizes both ends. The skin opening is then closed with dissolvable stitches.

Can my partner tell if I have had a vasectomy?

No. There is no significant change in one's ejaculate after a vasectomy. Your partner will not be able to feel the vasectomy site once it is completely healed.

Are there any risks associated with a vasectomy?

In the first week after surgery, there is the risk of bleeding and infection. If the patient notices a significant increase in the size of their scrotum, significant scrotal discomfort, fever, scrotal redness, or tenderness, he should notify Dr. Pham. Discomfort is usually minimal and should respond to Tylenol. More severe pain may indicate potential problems. Patients may complain of mild lower abdominal or testicular discomfort. A benign lump or granuloma, may develop because there is a leakage of sperm due to pressure build up in the testicles. It may occasionally be painful or sensitive to touch or pressure. Post-vasectomy pain syndrome is a chronic pain syndrome that follows vasectomy. The cause of this syndrome is due to imbalance in sperm production and death rate as the sperms are unable to exit the testicle. It is generally treated with anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen. There has been some debate as to whether vasectomies predispose a man to any future health problems. However, there is no conclusive evidence that men who have undergone a vasectomy have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, testicular cancer or other health problems.

Will my sense of orgasm be altered by having a vasectomy?

Ejaculation and orgasm are not affected by vasectomy. The only exception to this is the occasional patient who has developed post-vasectomy pain syndrome.

Can I become impotent after a vasectomy?

A vasectomy cannot cause impotence. Can something happen to my testicles? Rarely, the testicles may be injured during a vasectomy as a result of injury to the testicular artery. Other complications such as a hematoma or infection may also affect the testicles.

Can a vasectomy fail?

First, it is important to be certain that a vasectomy has been successful and that all sperm are absent from the ejaculate prior to stopping other forms of contraception. Even if the vasectomy has been demonstrated to be effective, there is a small chance that a vasectomy may fail. This occurs as a result of sperm leaking from one end of the vas deferens and finding a channel to the other end.

Can I have children after my vasectomy?

Yes. The vas deferens can be micro-surgically reconnected (vasectomy reversal) to allow normal conception to occur. Alternatively, sperm can be extracted from the testicle or the epididymis and utilized for in vitro fertilization. These procedures are costly and are not covered by insurance. Additionally, they are not successful 100% of the time. Therefore, one should carefully consider nonsurgical alternatives prior to deciding to proceed with a vasectomy.

What should I expect after a vasectomy?

Instructions for care after the vasectomy is provided during your appointment. It is generally wise to return home immediately after the procedure and avoid strenuous or sexual activity. Swelling and discomfort can be minimized by placing an ice pack on the scrotum. Most patients can expect to recover completely in less than a week and many are able to return to work as early as a day after the procedure. Sexual activity can usually be resumed once the skin opening has healed completely. However, it is important that all patients recognize that a vasectomy, even though successful, is not effective immediately. The effectiveness of the vasectomy must be proven by having the patient submit at least one semen analysis, which demonstrates that there are no sperm in the ejaculate. The time until disappearance of sperm from the ejaculate varies from patient to patient. We do not recommend checking the semen for sperm for at least three months. If sperm continues to be present in the ejaculate, that patient must continue to use contraception. The patient should not assume that their vasectomy is effective until their semen analysis demonstrates the absence of sperm.