Vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure performed as part of male birth control. It involves cutting, severing, or ligating the male's vas deferens, which are responsible for transporting sperm from the testicles. Vasectomy is also known as "male sterilization" and has a very high success rate in preventing pregnancy, almost 100%.
The vast majority of men who have this permanent method of contraception can go home the same day because it is an ambulatory surgery that can be performed under local anesthesia, and recovery takes less than a week. Vasectomy does not affect your performance or the quality of your sexual life.
Types of Vasectomy
There are two types of Vasectomy:
Incision method: Your doctor makes a small cut with the scalpel in the scrotum (pouch of the testicles) to gain access to the vas deferens, tie it off, and cut it out. A procedure like this usually takes less than 1 hour.
Non-surgical method (no cut): In this case, instead of making a cut with a scalpel, only a tiny hole is made with special clamps to reach both vas deferens. Your doctor can tie off, cauterize, or block the tubes through that small hole.
Before Vasectomy
The Urologist will review the medical history, questions related to your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history, and if you are taking any medication.
If you are taking medications that alter blood clotting, they should be stopped ten days before surgery.
Follow all Urologist instructions, thoroughly clean the scrotum area, wear comfortable clothing, take the prescribed medications, and wear a scrotal support hanger to surgery.
During the Vasectomy
The Urologist will apply local anesthesia; the patient will not feel pain and will stay awake.
The Urologist will clean and shave the scrotum, then inject anesthesia into the area
It will make a small opening in the upper part of the scrotum and join the cut the vas deferens separately
The wound will be closed with stitches using a surgical rubber
A vasectomy can be performed without a scalpel, applying anesthesia.
The Urologist will look for the vas deferens by touching the scrotum
It will make a small opening in the skin of the scrotum and will join and cut a part of the vas deferens
After Vasectomy
After the Vasectomy, you will be discharged as soon as you feel well. You can resume your activities the next day, avoiding heavy physical effort. In most cases, it is possible to resume normal physical activities after a week has passed.
You may have symptoms such as inflammation or bruise in the scrotum; this should disappear after two weeks. The Urologist can administer some medications to calm pain and inflammation and the use of compresses.
After a few weeks, the Urologist will examine the semen to make sure that there are no sperm and thus the Vasectomy is considered successful.
Vasectomy Results
It's an effective method: Vasectomy is one of the most effective methods of male contraception with nearly 99% pregnancy prevention results. But that doesn't mean it can protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV/AIDS). That's why it's recommended that you get regular checkups and use a condom when you have multiple sex partners
It doesn't work as immediate protection against pregnancy: you have to wait a few months and ejaculate 15-20 times more to get rid of all the sperm that might be left in your semen, so you will need to use an alternative method of contraception during that time
Your doctor will follow up with a semen sample about 6-10 weeks after surgery. You will need to give your doctor a semen sample to examine under a microscope for sperm
Does not stop ejaculation: Vasectomy does not affect ejaculation or sex drive in any way except for conceiving children. The seminal fluid that is generated will have the same volume and composition but without the sperm load
It is a simple, safe, and effective intervention: Even more effective (and less expensive) than tubal ligation for women
Am I a candidate for this procedure?
Vasectomy is recommended for men who do not wish to have children, since the man remains sterile, preventing him from getting a woman pregnant.
Vasectomy can be a good option for a man who:
He and his partner do not wish to have children.
Your partner may have an unsafe pregnancy due to health problems.
Both he and his partner have genetic disorders that they do not want to transmit.
Do not want to use a condom.
Make your appointment with the Urologist if you are sure that you don't want more children, the Urologist will perform the Vasectomy procedure in which you will be sterile. You will not be able to get a woman pregnant; the Urologist will make sure that you are as comfortable as possible during the procedure.
If you present fever, bleeding, or any sign of infection after surgery, see your Urologist. Try to keep a record of your pain with a detailed description of your symptoms.
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