If you’ve made up your mind that your family is complete or you do not want children anymore, you may be exploring many options for male birth control. If you have decided to have a vasectomy, you have made the right decision!

 

Vasectomy is believed to be a super successful and effective procedure. About one out of 20 American males choose vasectomy as a safe and effective procedure [1].

 

What Is A Vasectomy?

The term "vasectomy" has been derived from the tubes that are present in the scrotum and carry sperms – vas deferens that are blocked or cut during the procedure.

Vasectomy is a small procedure in which vas deferens are blocked or sealed. This procedure is also called "male sterilization," which prevents sperm from being released and reached to semen [2].

 

Vasectomy Procedure:

There are two procedures of vasectomy: Conventional and no-scalpel vasectomy. Let’s have a look at what both of these procedures are.

 

1. Conventional Vasectomy: In a traditional vasectomy, the urologist makes one or two incisions or cuts in the scrotum to get to vas deferens. You have one vas deferens for each testicle. Next, the urologist then removes a small part from each of the vas deferens, leaving a little gap between the two ends.

 

Each vas deferens is then separated from the surrounding tissues. The surgeon then excises the end of each vas and ties the open ends. The scrotal cuts are then closed with sutures [3].

 

2. No-Needle, No-Scalpel Vasectomy: In this procedure, the doctor does not make any cuts but makes a tiny hole in the scrotum skin and stretches it open. Next, the doctor lifts vas deferens gently, cuts them, ties them up, and seals them with stitches [4].

How Effective Are Vasectomies?

A vasectomy prevents pregnancy by almost 100% and is believed to be an effective male birth control method. However, it takes two to three months for sperms to clear out of your system.

Sometimes, the tubes can also rejoin and cause pregnancy. Make sure you conduct a semen analysis test before having sex [2,3].

 

Vasectomy Recovery:

Vasectomy does not cause any complications. You will feel discomfort (swelling or pain) for only a short time. However, you should wait to have sex or indulge in physically demanding activities for at least a week. Visit your doctor so that he can conduct semen analysis after two or three months since vasectomy [5].

 

Benefits Of Vasectomy:

Initially, vasectomy might sound unpleasant and uncomfortable, but it is a simpler procedure with temporary discomfort. There are many benefits that vasectomies offer:

 

1. Easy Procedure: Vasectomies are quick and easy to perform. They only require 20 to 30 minutes and are 99.99% effective [6]. You can get a vasectomy at your doctor’s office. Vasectomies can be performed by only local anesthesia to numb the scrotum.

2. Effective Contraception: Vasectomy is considered the most successful and effective contraception method for male birth control. It prevents pregnancy by 99%, which means that only 1 out of 1000 women has the chance of getting pregnant.

3. Cost-Effective: Vasectomy is a more safe and protected procedure than any other birth control form. It is less expensive than tubal ligation in women with similar results [6].

 

 

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References:

1. Pile JM, Barone MA. Demographics of vasectomy--USA and international. Urol Clin North Am 2009;36:295–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2009.05.006.

2. Shih G, Turok DK, Parker WJ. Vasectomy: the other (better) form of sterilization. Contraception 2011;83:310–5. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2010.08.019.

3. Sokal DC, Labrecque M. Effectiveness of Vasectomy Techniques. Urol Clin North Am 2009;36:317–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2009.05.008.

4. Bhuyan K, Ali I, Barua SJ. Role of No Scalpel Vasectomy in Male Sterilization. Indian J Surg 2012;74:284–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-011-0401-8.

5. GRIFFIN T, TOOHER R, NOWAKOWSKI K, LLOYD M, MADDERN GUY. HOW LITTLE IS ENOUGH? THE EVIDENCE FOR POST-VASECTOMY TESTING. J Urol 2005;174:29–36. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000161595.82642.fc.

6. Schwingl, P. J. & Guess, H. A. Safety and effectiveness of vasectomy. Fertil. Steril.2000; 73, 923–936.

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