Most men report high levels of satisfaction with vasectomy as a method of birth control. They often say they have much more sexual satisfaction since their fear of unintended pregnancy during sexual intercourse has been eliminated.
Vasectomies can be performed in your urologist’s office, surgery center, or hospital. Your urologist will be able to provide you with clear, balanced information about vasectomy and other family planning methods.
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that prevents sperm from entering the penis. It is a permanent form of birth control, though it can sometimes be reversed. Men who want to have children should talk with their doctor about the benefits and risks of this surgery before making a decision. Some men will experience emotional reactions after a vasectomy, including feelings of regret or sadness. These reactions may be a result of the fact that they cannot father children and the changes in their relationship dynamics. They may also be a result of societal misperceptions about the surgery or other factors.
During a conventional vasectomy, the skin of the scrotum is numbed with a local anesthetic, then small cuts are made on each side of the scrotum to access the tubes that lead to the vas deferens. A small section of each tube is cut and removed, and the ends of the tubes are sealed, either by tying them or sealing them with heat. The procedure requires no stitches and heals quickly with little to no scarring.
In some countries, a man can have a vasectomy at a local health center or family planning clinic. It is an inexpensive, safe, and effective method of birth control that is more reliable than a woman having her tubes tied (aka tubal ligation). It also doesn’t require a hospital visit or have any lasting side effects.
A vasectomy is a good option for men who don’t want children or who have already had children and wish to stop having more. It is a reliable and easy-to-use form of birth control, but it’s important to think about this decision carefully and thoroughly, particularly with a partner. If you decide to get a vasectomy, discuss it with your partner and other family members to help them understand the risks and benefits.
How does a vasectomy work?
A vasectomy is a small operation that prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from getting to your semen. Your semen will still look, smell, and taste the same, but it won’t contain sperm. This will make it impossible for you to get someone pregnant, but you can still have orgasms and ejaculate. The procedure is done in your doctor’s office or an outpatient surgery center and can be performed using a scalpel or a no-scalpel technique. It usually takes 30 minutes to complete, and you will be awake during the procedure. The doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb your scrotum, but some men experience discomfort or a feeling of tugging during the operation.
Once the scrotum is numb, your doctor will make an opening in the skin to reach each of the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles. They will cut each tube and then either tie or cauterize the ends. The cuts will close automatically after the operation, but you may need stitches if your doctor uses a scalpel method. The no-scalpel method doesn’t require an incision so you won’t need stitches.
Most men can return to work and other normal activities one day after their vasectomy. They should avoid heavy lifting and other strenuous activities for at least a week. Painkillers can help with any discomfort after the vasectomy. It’s common to see blood in the first few ejaculations after the vasectomy, but this isn’t harmful.
A vasectomy is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It can take around three months after the procedure for it to start working, so it’s important to use another form of birth control until you have a sperm count to confirm that your semen is free of sperm.
Will a vasectomy make me lose my sexual ability?
Men who have a vasectomy don’t experience any loss of sexual ability. In fact, some men report a boost in their libido after the procedure. This is because a vasectomy doesn’t affect testosterone levels, erections, or climaxes. The only thing it does is prevent sperm from entering the seminal fluid (semen) that’s ejaculated during sex.
It’s normal to have pain and swelling in the scrotum after the surgery, especially during your orgasm. However, painkillers like paracetamol should be able to ease the discomfort. You can also wear tight-fitting underwear to support the scrotum and help reduce swelling. It’s common to have blood in the first few ejaculations after a vasectomy, but this is nothing to worry about.
You will also need to use a condom with your partner to protect against STDs, even after you have a vasectomy. This is because sperm can still enter the semen through the tubes that lead from the penis to the vas deferens.
The good news is that a vasectomy is 99% effective, meaning it’s very unlikely that you will get pregnant. It’s important to discuss your options with your partner or GP before having a vasectomy, though.
A vasectomy is a great way to prevent pregnancy for men who don’t want children. In a recent survey, 37.9% of vasectomized men said that their sex life had improved after the procedure. This is probably because they weren’t having to use condoms anymore, and this made them feel more confident about their sex life. In addition, many men reported that it was less stressful and more convenient not having to think about birth control.
Will a vasectomy make me gain weight?
A vasectomy will not make you gain weight or cause other health problems. However, pain may occur after the surgery in the area of the scrotum or testicles. Most of this pain is mild and goes away with time. It can be relieved with over-the-counter painkillers. You can also try applying ice to the area and wearing tight-fitting underwear like a jockstrap. Taking anti-anxiety medications can also help. Several studies have shown that a vasectomy does not affect a man’s libido or sexual satisfaction. Some men may experience chronic scrotal pain after the procedure, which is called post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS). PVPS can last for 1 to 5 years or more and causes scrotal pain that affects a man’s quality of life. If you are considering a vasectomy, it is important to talk to your doctor about this issue.
A vasectomy blocks or cuts each of the two tubes in your scrotum that carry sperm from your testicles to the penis during intercourse. This keeps sperm from entering a woman’s body and causing pregnancy. You will still produce semen after a vasectomy, but it will not contain sperm and won’t be able to cause pregnancy. Semen will still look and feel the same as before — it will just be sterile.
A vasectomy is usually permanent, but if you decide that you want to reverse the procedure, it is possible under certain conditions. Reversal is more complicated than the initial procedure and has a lower success rate. It is important to be sure that you do not want children before undergoing a vasectomy, and it can be helpful to discuss this decision with your partner or family members.
Will a vasectomy make me have long-lasting pain?
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that a man can have if they do not want to father any more children. It is lasting (permanent) male birth control that involves cutting and sealing 2 tubes called the vas deferens, which carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. After a vasectomy, the testes still make sperm, but they cannot reach the urethra and are absorbed by the body instead. It takes around 3 months after a vasectomy for it to start working, and a sperm test is needed to confirm that the operation is effective. Sometimes a vasectomy is called sterilization or the snip, and it is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
A small number of men develop pain in one or both of their testicles after a vasectomy, which can be long-lasting or even permanent. The pain may be a constant dull ache or come and go, varying in severity from mild to intense. There is no known cause for the pain, but it may be a result of a pinched nerve or scarring from the surgery. It can also be caused by certain medications or other health conditions, such as diabetes and some cancers.
Most men who have a vasectomy tell us they only experienced pain for a day or two after the local anesthetic had worn off and that this was relieved by rest, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief such as ibuprofen, or cold packs. Some bruising and swelling in the scrotum are also common after a vasectomy, but this can usually be reduced by wearing supportive underwear or by placing cloth-covered ice packs on the scrotum at 10- to 15-minute intervals.