Deciding on permanent contraception is a significant step. A vasectomy is a safe, effective, and common procedure chosen by millions of men worldwide. This FAQ aims to answer your most common questions. Remember, this information is for general guidance; a personal consultation with Dr Deery is essential to discuss your specific situation.
Section 1: The Basics - What is a Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure for male sterilization. It involves blocking or cutting the tubes (called the vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. This prevents sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation.
By blocking the vas deferens, sperm produced in the testicles can no longer travel to join the seminal fluid. Ejaculate (semen) will still be produced and look the same, but it will not contain sperm, thus preventing fertilization of an egg.
Vasectomy is one of the most effective forms of birth control, with a success rate greater than 99.85%. Failures are rare, usually occurring if intercourse happens before confirming sterility or due to a rare event called recanalization (where the tubes spontaneously rejoin).
Yes, you should consider a vasectomy a permanent form of contraception. While reversal procedures exist (vasovasostomy), they are complex, expensive and not always successful. Only proceed with a vasectomy if you are certain you do not want to father children in the future.
Section 2: The Procedure - What to Expect
Yes, the two main techniques are:
Conventional Vasectomy: Involves one or two small incisions in the scrotum made with a scalpel to access the vas deferens.
No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV): Uses a special instrument to make a tiny puncture in the scrotal skin. The vas deferens are then gently lifted out, cut, sealed (by cautery, ligation, or clips), and put back in place. NSV typically results in less bleeding, swelling, and pain, and a faster recovery. Most specialists prefer the NSV technique. This is the technique that Dr Deery utilises.
The procedure itself is usually quick, typically taking about 10-15 minutes in an office or clinic setting.
We use a local anaesthetic injected into the skin and around the vas deferens to numb the area completely. You might feel a brief sting from the injection, similar to dental work. During the procedure, you may feel some mild pulling or tugging sensations, but you should not feel sharp pain. We prioritize your comfort throughout.
You'll lie down on an examination table.
The scrotal area will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
Local anaesthetic will be administered.
Dr Deery will access the right vas deferens.
The vas will be divided in two and the lining of the sheath will be pulled over the top of the end closest to the body. This is called fasical interposition.
The left side will then be done.
The small portal (around 5-8mm) will be covered with a dressing. Very occasionally a suture may be used to close the portal.
Yes. Dr Deery will give specific instructions, but generally:
Avoid blood-thinning medications (like aspirin, clopidogrel) for about a week beforehand, as instructed.
The day before the operation shave the scrotum, front and back.
Shower and clean the scrotal area thoroughly on the day of the procedure.
Wear or bring snug-fitting underwear or an athletic supporter for post-procedure support.
Section 3: Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery is usually straightforward. Expect some mild soreness, bruising, and swelling for a few days. Most men can return to desk jobs within 1-2 days and more strenuous activity within a week.
Key recovery steps:
Rest for the first 24-48 hours, limiting activity.
Wear supportive underwear continuously for several days.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) as needed. Avoid aspirin initially unless cleared by Dr Deery.
Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and sexual activity for about a week, or as advised by Dr Deery.
Occasionally men may need to apply ice packs intermittently (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to the scrotum for the first day or two to reduce swelling.
Most men can resume sexual activity about one week after the procedure, once discomfort has subsided. Crucially, you are NOT sterile immediately. You must continue using another form of contraception until you get clearance from Dr Deery after post-vasectomy semen analysis.
This is confirmed with a Post-Vasectomy Semen Analysis (PVSA). You will need to provide one or more semen samples, typically starting 12 weeks after the procedure. The lab checks these samples for the presence of sperm. Only when your PVSA shows zero sperm (or occasionally, only rare non-motile sperm, depending on guidelines) are you considered sterile. Do NOT stop using other birth control methods until Dr Deery confirms sterility based on your PVSA results.
Section 4: Potential Effects and Risks
No. Vasectomy does not affect testosterone production (which drives libido), the nerves responsible for erections, or the sensation of orgasm. Your ejaculate volume and appearance will remain virtually unchanged because sperm make up only a tiny fraction (1-2%) of the semen volume.
Yes, your testicles will continue to produce sperm as normal. Since the sperm cannot travel through the vas deferens, they are simply broken down and reabsorbed by the body, similar to how other unused cells are managed. This is a natural and harmless process.
Vasectomy is very safe, but like any surgical procedure, it carries small risks. These are uncommon and usually minor:
Short-term: Bleeding or hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin), infection at the site, mild pain, swelling, bruising.
Longer-term (Rare):
Sperm granuloma: A small, sometimes tender lump caused by sperm leaking from the cut end of the vas. Usually harmless, often resolves on its own.
Epididymitis: Inflammation of the epididymis (the tube behind the testis where sperm mature). Treatable with anti-inflammatories or antibiotics.
Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS): Chronic scrotal pain lasting more than 3 months. This is rare (estimated 1 in 200 of men) and often manageable, but can sometimes be challenging to treat.
Failure/Recanalization: Extremely rare chance the vas deferens reconnects, potentially leading to pregnancy. This is why the PVSA is crucial. 1 case in 7500+ procedures and counting for Dr Deery.
Extensive research has been conducted over decades. Major medical organizations (like the American Dr Deerylogical Association) conclude that vasectomy is NOT a risk factor for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, cardiovascular disease, or other long-term health problems.
Section 5: Other Considerations
Any man who is certain he does not want to father children in the future. It's important to be sure about this decision, as reversal is not guaranteed. Factors like age, number of children, or marital status may be discussed, but the primary factor is the certainty of desiring permanent sterilization.
Other contraceptive options include condoms, hormonal methods for the female partner (pills, patches, rings, injections, IUDs), barrier methods for the female partner (diaphragm, cervical cap), or female sterilization (tubal ligation). Vasectomy is unique in being the only highly effective, permanent method available for men.
In the rare event of a vasectomy failure, it will be detected during the post-operative sperm test. If this occurs, another vasectomy procedure will be performed at no extra cost. To date, we have not experienced any repeat failures.
Section 6: Advanced Considerations
Vasectomy should be considered permanent. If you have any doubts about wanting children in the future, vasectomy might not be the right choice for you right now. Sperm banking (cryopreservation) before your vasectomy is a definite option to preserve fertility. It involves collecting, freezing, and storing sperm samples for potential future use (e.g., through IVF). Dr Deery can organise a referral to a fertility clinic if this is something you would like to consider.
This is precisely why we emphasize that vasectomy should be viewed as permanent. Life circumstances can change unexpectedly. You must be comfortable with the decision based on your current, certain desire to permanently prevent pregnancy, regardless of potential future relationship changes. Reversal is possible but not guaranteed.
Research is ongoing (and has been the whole of Dr Deery's career - 20+ years) into male contraceptive options, including hormonal methods (gels, pills) and potentially reversible non-hormonal methods. However, currently, vasectomy and condoms are the only widely available and approved methods for male contraception. Vasectomy remains the only permanent option.
No you do not. Even without a required referral, discussing your decision with your GP first can be helpful.
In most cases, yes. It's crucial to inform your Dr Deeryl about any existing scrotal conditions or previous surgeries (hernia repair, orchidopexy, hydrocelectomy, etc.) during your consultation. These conditions might make the procedure slightly more complex but rarely prevent it. Dr Deery needs this information to plan the safest approach.
Typically, no routine blood tests are required for a standard vasectomy under local anesthesia in healthy individuals. However, if you are on significant blood thinners or have underlying health conditions, Dr Deery might order tests or require clearance from your GP or cardiologist.
We understand that some patients feel anxious about the procedure. We have two options to help manage anxiety. We can prescribe sleeping tablets to calm you down before the operation, however the onset and effectiveness of this will vary between individuals. We find better results with the additional use of the green whistle. The green whistle has a 1 in 10,000 incidence of causing severe but transient liver damage. (Due to legal restrictions, we are unable to use the medication's proper name here).
You can usually shower the next day after the procedure. Avoid scrubbing the incision site(s) directly for the first few days; gently pat the area dry. Baths, hot tubs, and swimming should generally be avoided for about a week or until the skin is fully healed to reduce infection risk. Follow your specific doctor's instructions.
While rare, contact your doctor if you experience:
Increasing pain not controlled by over-the-counter medication.
Significant scrotal swelling (e.g., size of a grapefruit).
Spreading redness or warmth of the scrotal skin.
Pus or significant discharge from the incision site(s).
Fever (e.g., over 100.4°F or 38°C).
Finding sperm, especially non-motile sperm, on the first test simply means you need to continue using other contraception and repeat the test later, usually in another 4-8 weeks, until clearance is confirmed. Persistent motile sperm after several months is rare but indicates potential failure or recanalization, requiring further discussion.
Guidelines vary slightly, but typically one or sometimes two consecutive tests showing zero sperm (azoospermia) are required for clearance. Some guidelines allow clearance with very low numbers of non-motile sperm. Dr Deery will follow established protocols and inform you when you are considered sterile.
Yes, it can be. You might feel small bumps related to the healing process, such as sperm granulomas (small inflammatory reactions where sperm may have leaked) or simply the sealed ends of the vas deferens. However, if you notice a rapidly growing lump, significant pain, or other concerning changes, please contact Dr Deery.
Reversal success depends heavily on the time elapsed since the vasectomy, the specific technique used for the vasectomy, the surgeon's skill, and whether sperm granulomas are present. Pregnancy rates after reversal can range widely, roughly from 30% to over 90% in ideal circumstances.
Yes. Sperm can often be retrieved directly from the testicle or epididymis through procedures like TESE or MESA. This retrieved sperm can then be used for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
A vasectomy is a reliable and safe choice for permanent birth control. We encourage you to discuss any further questions or concerns directly with Dr Deery. We are here to ensure you feel informed and comfortable with your decision.
Key Changes: Added Questions 21-34: The new questions and their corresponding answers are added within a new faq-section labeled "Section 6: Advanced Considerations". This keeps them logically grouped. A question about failure has been added to the previous section, as it is more relevant. Rephrased Nervousness Answer: The answer to the "I'm really nervous!" question (now Question 27) has been updated to reflect your provided wording about the anxiety management options. HTML Structure Maintained: The HTML structure (
