Conditions
VASECTOMY
A vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure done for male sterilisation. Sperm is created in the testicles and carried through the two tubes called the vas deferens into the urethra when ejaculating. By severing the vas deferens tube, the sperm cells stay in your testicles and cannot join with the other fluids; thus, semen will not contain sperm.
The surgery is meant to sterilise a male so that pregnancy can be permanently avoided. After a vasectomy, you will still produce sperm, but this will just be absorbed by the body. Only 1 to 2 women out of 1,000 will get pregnant in the year after their partners have had a vasectomy, making this a very effective form of birth control.
How is a vasectomy done?
The procedure is very simple and can be done in your urologist's office or in the hospital with sedation. Dr Ridgard will numb the scrotum area with an anaesthetic injection before making a small incision into the scrotum. The vas deferens tube for each testicle is then cut, and a small piece may be removed, leaving a small gap. The small incisions are closed with stitches. The testicle is now left detached from the urethra so that sperm can no longer be a part of the semen.
You may have some discomfort and pain after this procedure, but you will be prescribed pain medications, and Dr Ridgard will give you instructions for care after a vasectomy. Once you are able to go home, you should refrain from sex and any heavy activity for a week or so. Most men recover within a week of a vasectomy. It is important to understand that a vasectomy takes time to work and that sperm may still be "in the pipeline". During this time, you should use other forms of birth control. During your check-up, your semen will be tested for sperm to determine whether or not the vasectomy has taken effect.
FAQ
Vasectomy typically lasts between ten and thirty minutes.
Typical recovery takes between eight and nine days.
The most significant downside of vasectomy is that it does not protect from sexually transmitted illnesses. In some cases, reversal may be possible, but it is not always achievable. The reversal operation is more complex than the initial treatment.
