What Happens When You Have A Vasectomy?
During the operation to perform a vasectomy (a permanent form of birth control), a male’s testicles and scrotum are cleaned using antiseptic. The male may or may not be shaved first depending on the policy of the facility at which the operation is being conducted. Next the individual may be given an oral medication or it may be given by intravenous method (IV). This medication is to reduce any anxiety concerning the procedure and to make the male sleepy. Usually the individual will not remember much about the procedure once the medication is taken.
Each of the male’s vas deferens is located by touch and a local anesthetic injected into the area. The doctor/surgeon will make two small opening (incisions) into the scrotum, one opening on either side. The two vas deferens tubes are then cut and the ends are tied, stitched or sealed with heat. The entire vasectomy takes about 30 minutes to complete. The procedure can be accomplished in several different facilities including hospital, surgical clinic, even the doctor’s office. A general surgeon, an urologist or your family medical doctor, may do the vasectomy.
There are two alternative procedures to the standard vasectomy. One alternative is called the “no-scalpel vasectomy” and uses a small clamp with a pointed end instead of the scalpel to poke the skin of the scrotum instead of cutting it. The benefits of using this technique over the scalpel is that there is less bleeding, a smaller hole is made, and fewer complications are encountered from the vasectomy. The “no-scalpel vasectomy” is just as effective as the more traditional vasectomy using a scalpel.
The “Vasclip implant procedure”, is when the vas deferens is locked closed with a product called a “Vasclip”. The vas deferens are not cut, sutured, or even cauterized. This potentially reduces pain and also complications. It must be noted though that there are studies that show this Vasclip implant procedure is not as effective as the other two methods of vasectomies.
After surgery, the scrotum will be numb for approximately 2 hours. The male will be instructed to place cold packs to the area and to lie on his back as much as possible for the rest of the day. He will need to wear snug underwear or a jockstrap to help ease discomfort and to protect the area from harm during the healing process. He may experience some swelling and minor pain in the scrotum area for several days after the vasectomy.
If the male’s work is not physically strenuous, he will be able to return to work in 1 or 2 days. He will be instructed to avoid any heavy lifting for approximately 1 week.
The male can return to sexual intercourse when he is physically comfortable doing so. The normal time to resume sexual relations is approximately 1 week after the surgery.
It must be advised that pregnancy is still possible until the male has had approximately 20 ejaculations over a short period of time to be certain that any remaining sperm has been released. During this period of time when pregnancy is still possible alternate birth control will need to be taken. Follow-up sperm counts are necessary to ascertain that the sperm count is indeed zero before no other birth control method is necessary.
Having had a vasectomy will not in any way interfere with the male sex drive, or with the ability to have erections, or to feel the sensation of orgasm and it will also not interfere with his ability to ejaculate. The male may have some mild aching in the testicles during the sexual arousal period of intercourse for a few months following his surgery.
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