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What is a vasectomy?A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that is a form of contraception. From the time you have a vasectomy, you are unlikely to have more children from sexual intercourse. A vasectomy doesn't change your libido (sexual desire) or ability to reach orgasm. It won't stop the production of semen. A vasectomy can sometimes be reversed, but it is generally permanent. What vasectomy procedure will I have?There are two ways you can have a vasectomy operation:
The result of either operation means that your sperm can no longer reach your penis when you ejaculate. The procedure takes about 20 to 40 minutes and usually happens under a local anaesthetic. Illustration of normal male anatomy showing where the vas deferens which is cut during a vasectomy.What to expect after a vasectomyAfter the anaesthetic wears off and for a few days after surgery you will have some bruising as well as pain and swelling in the groin or scrotum area. Paracetamol can help relieve your pain. During the days after your procedure, you should contact your doctor, medical clinic or local hospital if any of the following happens:
It is important to rest for a few days and avoid heavy lifting to ease the pain and swelling. Pain medicine, supportive underwear or ice packs can also help. Your doctor will give you information about how to care for the wound, and when you can resume sexual activity. How soon will a vasectomy work?A vasectomy can take several months and up to 20 ejaculations to clear the sperm in the vas deferens after the procedure. A semen test 3 months after the procedure will tell you if it is safe to stop using other forms of contraception. A very small proportion of vasectomies fail. This is why it is important to use contraception until a semen test is clear. STI preventionA vasectomy does not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is important to continue using condoms if there is any risk of STIs. Can a vasectomy be reversed?A vasectomy is generally permanent. Sometimes it is possible to re-join the vas tubes, but this does not guarantee you will be able to produce more children. The chances of success decrease with time after the procedure. If you’ve had a vasectomy and want to have more children, you may be able to have your sperm retrieved directly from your testes for assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF. If you’ve not yet had a vasectomy, but think you may want children later, you can ask to have some sperm frozen. Talk to your doctor before arranging the procedure. More informationTalk with your doctor about your contraception and fertility options. You can also read more about other forms of contraception. OverviewVasectomy is a form of male birth control that cuts the supply of sperm to your semen. It's done by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm. Vasectomy has a low risk of problems and can usually be performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Before getting a vasectomy you need to be certain you don't want to father a child in the future. Although vasectomy reversals are possible, vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of male birth control. Vasectomy offers no protection from sexually transmitted infections. Why it's doneVasectomy is a safe and effective birth control choice for men who are certain they don't want to father a child in the future.
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unsubscribe link in the e-mail. RisksA potential concern with vasectomy is that you might later change your mind about wanting to father a child. Although it might be possible to reverse your vasectomy, there's no guarantee it will work. Reversal surgery is more complicated than vasectomy, can be expensive and is ineffective in some cases. Other techniques also are available to father a child following vasectomy, such as in vitro fertilization. However, these techniques are expensive and not always effective. Before you get a vasectomy, be certain you don't want to father a child in the future. If you have chronic testicular pain or testicular disease, you're not a good candidate for a vasectomy. For most men, a vasectomy doesn't cause any noticeable side effects, and serious complications are rare. Side effects right after surgery can include:
Delayed complications can include:
Unfounded concernsMany men worry that a vasectomy could cause serious problems — but these fears are unfounded. For example, a vasectomy won't:
How you prepareFood and medicationsYour doctor will probably ask you to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other blood-thinning medications several days before your surgery. These can include warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven, others), heparin and over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). Clothing and personal itemsBring a pair of tightfitting underwear or an athletic supporter to wear after the procedure to support the scrotum and minimize swelling. Other precautionsShower or bathe on the day of the surgery. Be sure to wash your genital area thoroughly. Trim hair if necessary. Arrange for a ride home after your surgery to avoid movement and pressure on the surgery area caused by driving. What you can expectBefore the procedureBefore doing a vasectomy, your doctor will want to meet with you to be sure it's the right form of birth control for you. At the initial appointment (consultative visit), be prepared to discuss:
Some family medicine or general practice doctors do vasectomies, but most are done by doctors who specialize in the male reproductive system (urologists). A vasectomy is usually done at a doctor's office or surgery center under local anesthesia, which means you'll be awake and have medicine to numb the surgery area. During the procedureVasectomy surgery usually takes about 10 to 30 minutes. To perform a vasectomy, your doctor will likely follow these steps:
After the procedureFollowing a vasectomy, you'll have some bruising, swelling and pain. It usually gets better within a few days. Your doctor will give you instructions for recovery. Your doctor might tell you to:
You will ejaculate semen (seminal fluid) after a vasectomy but it will no longer contain sperm (the reproductive cells) once you have ejaculated about 20 times. A vasectomy blocks the sperm made by the testes from reaching the semen. Instead, the body absorbs the sperm, which is harmless. ResultsA vasectomy doesn't provide immediate protection against pregnancy. Use an alternative form of birth control until your doctor confirms there are no sperm in your semen. Before having unprotected sex, you'll need to wait several months or longer and ejaculate 15 to 20 times or more to clear any sperm from your semen. Most doctors do a follow-up semen analysis six to 12 weeks after surgery to be certain that no sperm are present. You'll need to give your doctor sperm samples to examine. To produce a sperm sample, your doctor will have you masturbate and ejaculate into a container or use a special condom without lubrication or spermicide to collect semen during intercourse. Your semen is then examined under a microscope to see whether sperm are present. Vasectomy is an effective form of birth control, but it won't protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or HIV/AIDS. For that reason, you should use other forms of protection such as condoms if you are at risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection — even after you have a vasectomy. Aug. 21, 2021 How long does it take after a vasectomy to be sterile?About 12 weeks after the procedure, you'll need to produce a sample of semen, which will be tested for sperm. Once tests have confirmed that your semen is sperm-free, the vasectomy is considered successful and you can stop using additional contraception.
Why does it take 3 months for a vasectomy to work?The life cycle of sperm is 63 days. 80% of men will be sterile after 15 ejaculations or 6 weeks after a vasectomy. By 10 weeks, 85% of men will have no sperm in the ejaculate. Therefore, a safe time period to say would be approximately 3 months (12 weeks) after vasectomy with about 20 ejaculations.
How fast do vasectomies work?It takes about two months for a vasectomy to become effective so men should continue to use birth control with their partner until a sperm analysis, performed two months after the procedure, confirms that there is no evidence of sperm in the semen.
Why do you have to wait 7 days after a vasectomy?There will be a small wound by each testicle where the doctor made the surgical incision. As a result, it is advisable to wait for a few days after a vasectomy before having sex or masturbating. This delay helps a person avoid irritating tissues that are already swollen and sensitive.
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