What is Vasectomy?

Sperms are produced by the two testes. Newly produced sperms are stored in the epididymis. The sperms are transported through the vas deferens and ejaculated together with seminal fluid secreted by the prostate gland, as semen, during sexual intercourse. Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an ovum, and the fertilized ovum implanted in the uterus.

Vasectomy is a surgical operation to divide, separate, ligate and seal the two vas deferens. After vasectomy, sperms will continue to be produced by the testes but are no longer travelling out of the body. During sexual intercourse, ejaculation will still occur but the semen will contain only seminal fluid and no sperm. After surgery, the newly produced sperms are absorbed by our body naturally. The residual sperms inside the distal cut end of the vas deferens will be gone after 20 ejaculations, or they will be absorbed after 3 months.

To confirm the success of the vasectomy and contraception, men have to produce a semen sample 3 to 4 months after surgery to confirm that there is no sperm in the semen before the couple can stop future contraception. Before the confirmation of the success of the vasectomy and permanent contraception, the couple still needs contraception.

According to researches, the chance of pregnancy after vasectomy was 0.1-0.2%.

After vasectomy, patients should avoid sexual intercourse for 1-2 weeks. Vasectomy will not affect health or sexual ability. In fact, lots of men and women will feel better about their sex life because they do not need to worry about the possibility of pregnancy.

Vasectomy indications

Married men with child / children in his family who agree to take up the role of contraception and with the agreement by their spouse, can be considered for bilateral vasectomies. It is a permanent family contraceptive method for husband and wife, who have kid(s), the couple does not want to have any additional children, and the couple refuses all other contraception methods. Husband and wife must understand that vasectomy should be considered a permanent sterilization procedure and it is a no return family contraception decision.

Treatment

New generation of knife-less / No Scalpel Vasectomy

Before the operation, the doctor applies local anesthetic cream onto the middle surface of the scrotum, to reduce pain during scrotal subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic drug. Disinfection and local anesthesia will be performed after fifteen minutes. As we will use long-acting local anesthetics, the wound will be nearly painless during and after the operation. The new generation of knifeless vasectomy does not require an incision. It only requires small sharp tip forceps to open a small hole in the epidermis. Each vas is taken out carefully, cut, ligate, electrocautery, seal, and return to scrotum. At last, the wound is closed with subcutaneous sutures, sprayed with water repellent cover antiseptic spray and applied with water repellent dressing. Generally, the entire operation takes about ten to fifteen minutes. After surgery, newly created sperm can no longer be able to travel along the vas deferens. The sperm above divided vas deferens ligation usually takes about twenty ejaculations to be cleared, or it may be 3 months to be naturally absorbed.

Post-operative period

With the use of this new generation of knifeless vasectomy, there is nearly zero pain during or after surgery. Patients can go home in the clinic soon after surgery. Patients working in the office can return to their office work the next day after surgery. Patients working as manual labor are suggested to take a few days to one-week of sick leave. To confirm the success of vasectomy and contraception, patients need to have a sperm count by semen analysis three to four months after the surgery. If there is no sperm found in the semen, sterilization is achieved and there is no need for future contraception.

Complications

Small proportion of patients may feel slight discomfort or mild gripping pain. Only a few percent of patients may have complications, e.g., wound bleeding, swelling, bruising, infection etc.

FAQs

Q: Can vasectomy be reversed?
A: Vasectomy is a permanent contraceptive method and the chance of reversal is very low. As vasectomy is a permanent contraceptive method, any men thinking that there might be a chance of vasectomy reversal should not choose this method.
Q: If I am not married but I have kid(s) already, can I have a vasectomy?
A. No. It is a permanent family contraceptive method for husband and wife, who have kid(s), the couple does not want to have any additional children, and the couple refuses all other contraception methods. Husband and wife must understand that vasectomy should be considered a permanent sterilization procedure and it is a no return family contraception decision.