Including Risks, Preparation and Aftercare
A vasectomy is a minor surgical operation where the goal is to block the passage of sperm along two small tubes known as the vas deferens, this causes a man to become infertile (or sterile) which means he is unable to get a woman pregant.
Sperm are made in the testes and from there sperm passes into the epididymis located behind each testicle where they become mature. Next sperm passes through two tubes called the vas deferens (there is one vas deferens on each side of the scrotum) to the region of the prostate where they combine with seminal fluid and lastly they are ejaculated through the urethra (the tube through which men urinate and ejaculate).
Vasectomy is a simple procedure by which the flow of sperm is interrupted by severing and sealing the upper end of both vas deferens. The man will still ejaculate as normal but the sperm is prevented from combining with semen before ejaculation.
There are two different methods of accessing and dividing the vas deferens. These are called the No Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) and the Traditional Vasectomy. Dr Valentine prefers to use the No Scalpel Vasectomy method.
During a No Scalpel Vasectomy a tiny needle is used to anaesthetise a small area of skin as well as the vas deferens at the front of the scrotum. A small hole is then made in the front of the scrotum using a pointed haemostat. The use of the pointed haemostat to spread, rather than cut the skin, has been shown to reduce the risk of bleeding. Each vas deferens is lifted through the small hole and divided (cut). The upper end of each vas deferens is sealed using cautery. The ends of each vas deferens are then separated and placed out of alignment by applying a dissolvable tie to the sheath surrounding each vas deferens such that the upper end remains enclosed within the sheath and the lower end outside the sheath. No sutures (stitches) are required and the wound is usually sealed by the next day.
During a traditional vasectomy a needle is used to anaesthetise a small area of skin on each side of the scrotum. A scalpel is then used to make a small incision on each side of the scrotum and access each vas deferens. A small segment is removed from each vas deferens and the ends ligated with dissolvable ties. The wounds are then closed with sutures which remain in place for 6 days and require removal.
Following a vasectomy patients should notice no changes to their:
Recent studies have actually concluded that vasectomy significantly improves sexual satisfaction for males and for females (in an opposite sex coupling) their sexual satisfaction did not change significantly* [1].
*Except that the level of arousal for females in the study improved.
Bleeding - there is a 1-2 percent risk of developing a haematoma (blood clot) within the scrotum following a vasectomy. Most of these are small and the body will reabsorb them over 2-4 weeks. Very rarely patients can develop a larger haematoma requiring hospital admission and drainage. It is common for patients to have some bruising in the skin following a vasectomy which normally resolves over a week or so.
Infection - there is a 1-2 percent risk of developing an infection following a vasectomy. Most of these will respond to oral antibiotics. Very rarely patients will require admission to hospital for management (which may include intravenous antibiotics and drainage of an abscess).
Orchalgia - patients can develop pain in the scrotum or up into the abdomen following a vasectomy which may be related to disruption of nerves in the membranes surrounding the vas deferens. In most cases this will resolve of its own accord by 6 months. Rarely mild discomfort will persist. Around 1 in 1000 patients will experience more severe pain that persists and may need to consider further surgery or medication to try to resolve this.
Congestion - patients can develop a tender build-up of sperm upstream from the vasectomy site. In most cases this will settle with simple anti-inflammatory medications. Around 1 in 1000 patients will have continued discomfort severe enough to require surgical intervention.
Sperm Granuloma - patients can develop a pea sized lump on the end of a vas deferens at the vasectomy site. These can be tender and discomfort will normally respond to simple anti-inflammatory medications. Around 1 in 1500 patients may require surgical intervention to remove the tender lump.
Ongoing pain - it is important for patients to be aware that treatment for ongoing pain following vasectomy (whether it be related to or orchalgia, congestion or sperm granuloma) may not always be successful. As such, despite meticulous vasectomy technique, there is a very small risk that patients can experience ongoing pain, sufficient to impact on their quality of life, that is resistant to all treatment.
Recanalisation - there is approximately a 1 in 2500 risk (0.04%)of vas deferens tubes rejoining following a
vasectomy. If this happens early then the semen test never becomes sperm free so it is detectable but if recanalisation happens late (months or years after the semen test has tested to be clear of sperm) it can result in an unplanned pregnancy. Vasectomy still remains the most effective form of contraception available (including tubal ligation).
Patients need to continue contraception until they have submitted a semen test confirmed to be free of sperm. This is normally conducted four months after a vasectomy. It normally takes a good 25 ejaculations plus a time frame of 3-4 months for sperm to be cleared from the upper ends of the vas
deferens. Patients are normally contacted via email or mail with the results of their semen tests. Patients with sperm remaining will need to repeat their test in another two months.
Vasectomy should be seen as a permanent sterilization procedure but if required a vasectomy reversal operation (vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy) results in a desired pregnancy in approximately 60 percent of cases*. [2] The reversal operation, however, requires microsurgery, is expensive, and there is no guarantee of success.
*Varies from 50-80% depending on age, the length of time from when the vasectomy was performed, and other contingent factors.
If you have any other problems or queries then contact your vasectomy doctor.
For more questions and answers see our frequently asked questions:
FAQ