No Needles for a Vasectomy? It’s Possible
One of the main reasons that more men do not opt for a vasectomy is fear of sharp objects near their nether regions – mainly needles. Until now, needles have been the primary source for administering anesthetic to the scrotal area so that doctors could perform the vasectomy procedure. However, more and more men will consider a vasectomy now that there is a needle-free alternative.
It is important to acknowledge the fears that men have regarding a vasectomy – even the women in their lives have similar apprehensions. As mentioned above, the biggest fear is the needles used to administer the anesthetic to numb the skin and surrounding tissue. With the needle-free approach, a new technology using a jet spray type of instrument is used to administer the anesthetic. Instead of having two different needle pricks – one for each vas deferens tube which transmits sperm – they are eliminated with the use of this jet spray.
What is interesting is the fact that the apprehension levels drop dramatically in men when they find out that there is a no-needle option for vasectomy. In fact, there are several different medical studies which indicate a high level of satisfaction in men with their vasectomy and most claim that they experienced little to no pain. While much of that can be contributed to the no-needle approach, at least a portion of that satisfaction is psychological as well.
This no-needle approach to the vasectomy is not available across the country as it is still fairly new. The technology was created almost a decade ago and of course it took some time for it to be approved by the United States. Men will have to talk with several doctors to find one that has used the no-needle approach. Other countries like Canada have been using the jet spray technique as well not just for vasectomies but also other medical procedures as well in such areas as dentistry.
The best part about the jet spray anesthetic option is the fact that it can be used in such procedures as the vasectomy where there is no need for invasive techniques. In the traditional approach to the vasectomy procedure, a needle is used to deliver the anesthetic to the scrotum area, a place full of sensitive nerve endings, causing pain. However, with the jet spray method of delivering anesthetic, there may be a brief discomfort but nothing close to the sensation of a needle pricking a very delicate area.
There are several primary benefits to the no-needle vasectomy approach. One benefit is the simplification and ease of the whole process of the surgery. The second positive is the reduced anxiety the man feels about the vasectomy. And finally, there is a huge reduction in pain. This new technique is bound to attract more men who seek a permanent birth control alternative but were hesitant because of the needles.
As mentioned before however, not every urologist who performs vasectomies is familiar with the no-needle technique. Therefore, it is important to interview several doctors and perform a little due diligence, finding one with the right credentials and who has performed the no-needle vasectomy successfully.
