So you’re interested in a vasectomy. The idea is a little daunting, we know. But the truth is, it's a simple office procedure that routinely takes just 10 minutes under local anesthesia. Read on to learn what you need to know about the procedure.

HOW IS A VASECTOMY DONE?

Dr. Bevan-Thomas performs the no-scalpel vasectomy, which is the least invasive way to perform the procedure. Instead of using a scalpel, he numbs up the skin and makes a tiny opening to get access to the vas deferens. The vas deferens is the small tube that transports sperm from the testicles to the prostate.

Dr. Bevan-Thomas not only cuts the vas but also cauterizes and clips each side. These tubes have a habit of trying to fuse back together, so Dr. B-T creates four points of occlusion on each side to minimize the chance that sperm can travel up the tubes and potentially cause another pregnancy.

WILL IT HURT?

Lidocaine is a wonderful invention! The anesthesia takes care of any pain that may occur during the procedure; however, Dr. B-T is a proponent of anti-inflammatory medications to take after the procedure. He will explain to you the regimen following your procedure in the office.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS A VASECTOMY?

Vasectomies are just over 99 percent effective against pregnancy. Unfortunately, nothing is 100%, but the vasectomy is pretty close. It is imperative that the semen is checked after the procedure to make sure there is no evidence of any sperm. Without a followup negative semen analysis, you should consider yourself fertile! Dr. B-T will set a followup appointment at 3 months after the procedure to check for any sperm. Most men are “sperm-free” at this point, but some have residual sperm and require further testing.

WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO EJACULATE?

Absolutely! A vasectomy does not affect your ability to have erections or to have normal orgasms. The only difference is that there will no longer be sperm in the fluid. Sperm consists of only 10% of the ejaculate volume, so it should not be noticeable.

SO WILL I BE INFERTILE RIGHT AWAY?

No. It will take a couple of months and a number of ejaculations for all the sperm to clear your system. Do not have unprotected sex until you follow up with Dr. B-T for a semen analysis at your 3-month appointment. Again, until you have a negative semen analysis, you are still considered fertile.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS INVOLVED WITH A VASECTOMY?

Some of the most common risks (but not all) include bleeding, infection, persistent sperm in the ejaculate, and pain. There is a very small risk of long-term pain in the testicles after the vasectomy — post-vasectomy pain syndrome — but this is very rare.

Dr. Bevan-Thomas will discuss all of these risks with you at your initial visit.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY VASECTOMY?

Dr. Bevan-Thomas will ask you to rest and ice on the day of the procedure and avoid strenuous activity for the next five to seven days. If you have a physically demanding job, plan to take a few days off to be on the safe side.

You should also avoid sexual activity for a week. When you do ejaculate, you may see some blood in your semen. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

OK, BUT WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND LATER? CAN A VASECTOMY BE REVERSED?

Technically, a vasectomy can be reversed, but the process is more involved than the vasectomy. Reversal has a 40% to 90% success rate, so we advise men and their partners to consider a vasectomy permanent and not a temporary birth control alternative.