What is it?
A vasectomy is a permanent method of birth control for males. It is a surgical procedure, usually involving local anesthesia, in which the vas deferens are cut, tied, or blocked off so that sperm cannot leave the scrotum. This prevents the sperm from being expelled from the male's body during ejaculation, thereby preventing pregnancy.
 
How A Vasectomy Is Done:
A local anesthesia is injected into the area so that the patient will not experience any pain. The vas deferens is then located by touch and a small incision is made in the scrotum to expose it. Through this incision, the doctor will cut and remove a small section of the vas deferens and the ends will be sewn shut or cauterized. The incision is then sutured shut and the entire procedure is repeated for the other vas deferens. This is a very simple procedure that generally only takes 30 minutes.
The man is instructed to avoid strenuous physical activity for several days, apply ice to the site of the incisions and take mild pain killers for pain management.
Vasectomies are not immediately effective because sperm still remains in the upper portion of the vas deferens. All of the sperm is usually flushed out within 12-15 ejaculations, or around 10 weeks. During this time, men are advised to use an alternate method of birth control and undergo semen analysis once every couple weeks to check for semen. Once two consecutive semen analysis tests come back negative for sperm, the man is considered sterile.
 
After the Vasectomy:
A vasectomy does not alter sexual pleasure or sensation. Sex should be just as enjoyable as before-- if not better (since you don’t have to worry about pregnancy).
Men may falsely believe that after having a vasectomy they will no longer be able to ejaculate. In fact, sperm only makes up approximately 1% of the volume of the ejaculate. The rest of the ejaculate is produced in other glands such as the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland. Thus, having a vasectomy will not affect the volume of the ejaculate.
 
Things to Consider:
Male Sterilization is generally an irreversible form of birth control. As with any permanent change to your body, it is important to consider the impact this will have on your life. Before finalizing your choice, consider whether or not there any circumstances in which you may want to have more children in the future. One option to consider is freezing a sperm sample. This will give you the chance to impregnate your partner if you decide you actually do want more children in the future. If you are unsure about sterilization, consider what other forms of birth control might be a better alternative at this point in time. Finally, if in a committed relationship, be sure to discus the ramifications of sterilization with your partner before going through with the procedure.
 
What If I Regret My Decision?
It cannot be stressed enough that a vasectomy is meant to be a PERMANENT and IRREVERSIBLE procedure. Though it is technically possible to reverse a vasectomy, the reversal surgery is very expensive and may not be effective.
 
Potential Problems:
Although a vasectomy is an extremely safe procedure, it is important to watch out for the following rare complications:
 
Mild Infections
Bruising
Abscesses
Swelling containing fluid or blood
Arousal or erectile (these occur very rarely)
 
Most of these complications can be taken care of fairly easily with antibiotics, bed rest, applying heat or ice to the area, and rarely surgical drainage. Should you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.
It is also important to be aware that the vas deferens may grow back together soon after the surgery. The risk of this occurring is much higher during the first few months after the surgery, thus it is important to continue regular semen analysis for several months after the procedure.
 
Advantages:
Permanent
No action required on the part of the user
Easier and cheaper than female sterilization.
Very effective.
Very fast recovery.
Allows spontaneity
 
Disadvantages:
Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Surgical complications.
Permanent: some men may regret their decision.
It is a surgical procedure.
 
Effectiveness:
The vasectomy has a failure rate of only 0.1%, making it the 2nd most effective form of birth control behind Implanton.
 
Cost:
The cost of having a vasectomy can vary anywhere from $250 to $1000. This includes the cost of the consultation, procedure, and follow up visits.
 
 
References:
Greenberg, Jerrold S., Clint E. Bruess, and Sarah C. Conklin. "Male Sterilization."
Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality. 4th ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett, 2011. 203-204. Print.
 
LeVay, Simon, Janice Baldwin, and John Baldwin. "Chapter 9: Contraception and
Abortion". Discovering Human Sexuality. Sunderland: Sinaur Associates, Inc.,
2009.
Created June 3, 2006, last updated April 17, 2012