A vasectomy is a form of birth control that prevents men from releasing sperm during ejaculation. The procedure is quick and normally performed as an outpatient surgery, but this does not necessarily imply that it’s something that should be entered into lightly. Here is a quick look at what the vasectomy process entails.
The Vasectomy Procedure
Doctors begin by administering a local anesthetic to the testicles and may also provide patients with anti-anxiety medication, if necessary. Next, they make small incisions in the scrotum to access and cut the vas deferens—the duct that transports sperm from the testes. From here, doctors will seal the vas deferens via stitches or by tying a knot. Finally, the scrotum is re-closed using small, dissolvable stitches. The entire procedure normally takes less than an hour to complete.
Post-Surgery Recovery
There is some pain and swelling after a vasectomy, but this is typically mild and only lasts for a little while. Most people are able to return to work within one or two days. Applying cold packs to the scrotum and avoiding lying face down are normally all it takes to mitigate this pain.
The Effectiveness of Vasectomies
It’s estimated that there are only one to two unwanted pregnancies in a thousand after a vasectomy, which makes them almost 100% effective. However, it’s important to note that a patient’s sperm count will not drop to zero immediately—which means that there’s still the possibility of getting a partner pregnant. It normally takes about two months or 10 to 20 ejaculations for a vasectomy to become fully effective.
Associated Risks
A vasectomy is a relatively noninvasive procedure, which means that the risk of complications is quite low. When they do occur, it normally involves infection at the site of incision, bruising, and bleeding. In extremely rare cases, a man’s vas deferens may re-attach itself, causing him to become fertile again.
