A vasectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that divides the tube (vas), which carries sperm from the testicle. There are 2 vasa (tubes), one coming from each testicle.
It is a permanent, reliable and safe form of contraception. A vasectomy will not affect the volume of ejaculatory fluid or your libido.
While a vasectomy is a safe, effective and reliable procedure, it is not right for everyone. A vasectomy at our practice requires at least 3 visits.
Your initial visit takes about 30 minutes and will involve an in depth consultation taking your individual situation into account. A genital examination will be necessary to assess whether local anaesthetic is the right option for you. While most men can have a vasectomy with a local anaesthetic, some men would benefit from a general anaesthetic and your doctor will advise you of this and make the appropriate referral as needed.
Following this assessment, both you and your doctor need to feel confident that this is the right procedure for you. There may be some circumstances where your doctor may not agree that a vasectomy is the correct procedure for you.
Your second visit will be for the vasectomy procedure and usually takes around 60 minutes. We ask you to have a bath or shower before the procedure and to shave your scrotum. A small amount of local anaesthetic is injected into a small patch of skin on the scrotum. The needle we use is very fine and most men find the injection to be quite acceptable. Following the injection, you may feel pressure but should not feel pain. It is something your doctor will be monitoring during the procedure to ensure that you are comfortable.
A small hole is made in the numb skin of the scrotum and one vas is brought out through that hole and cut. Then the other vas is brought out, usually through a second small hole and also divided.
You will have some adhesive strips and a small dressing afterwards. Sometimes a small dissolving suture will be used.
We advise you to wear firm fitting underwear day and night for a week and take it easy in the first few days. You may need to take some paracetamol or ibuprofen and apply an ice pack in the first 1-2 days. There may be a little bruising and swelling but this should be mild. It is important to rest and take it easy after your vasectomy.
Your third visit is about 2-4 weeks after your vasectomy. At this time your doctor or nurse will check for any problems you may have had and supply you with a kit and instructions for semen analysis. Sperm can remain active in the tubes for several months, and the success of the vasectomy cannot be confirmed until a semen analysis has been done 3-4 months later. You need to keep using another form of contraception until you have had a negative semen analysis.
A vasectomy is usually well tolerated, minimally invasive and safe. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are some risks. These include:
Vague discomfort in the area of the procedure and there may be a small lump for a few days
Bruising
Infection
There may be blood in the ejaculatory fluid in the postoperative period.
Serious complications are rare, but your doctor will discuss these in more detail with you during your initial appointment.
How long after the procedure can I resume exercise?
Gentle exercise is recommended but avoid running or contact sports for the first month after the procedure. You can resume sex once you feel comfortable but will need to have another form of contraception at first e.g. condoms, partner with contraception.
When can I return to work after my procedure?
Office based workers can usually go back to work after 2 days but if your job is physical, we recommend a week off.
Can it be reversed?
A vasectomy is considered to be a permanent method of contraception. While reversals can be attempted, they are often not successful and a vasectomy is not right for you if you are planning to have any future children.
For more information we recommend visiting https://www.vasectomy.org.au/procedure/
