A vasectomy is considered to be a permanent form of contraception which can stop you from getting your partner pregnant – however, one in 2,000 men will still impregnate their partner after a vasectomy procedure. It also doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections, meaning that if you’re sleeping with a new partner, you will still need to use protection. A common myth, a vasectomy doesn’t affect your sex drive or your ability to enjoy sex – you’ll still be able to get erections and the same amount of semen will still be produced when you ejaculate. The only difference is that the semen produced after a vasectomy won’t contain sperm. This procedure is permanent, so it’s vital that you’re sure that you don’t want children before you go ahead with this procedure. Some men regret their decision after having a vasectomy, though this is more common in men who are under 30 and have no children. There is a process known as a vasectomy reversal, but this doesn’t guarantee that your fertility will be restored. There are alternatives to a vasectomy, such as long-term hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives for women. Both female and male condoms are also available, which also protect against STIs.
Your doctor will talk you through the operation, and the various ways in which you can prepare for it. For example, you will need to stop smoking as this increases your risk of getting a wound infection, which can slow your recovery time down. There are several places this operation can be carried out, such as in a hospital, a GP practice or at a private clinic. They are usually carried out under local anaesthesia, which blocks the pain in your groin area but means you can stay awake during the operation. The operation doesn’t take very long, usually being completed in about 15 minutes. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect and been given time to work, your doctor will attempt to find the vas deferens – they may use a forceps-like instrument to create a small opening in the skin above this area, or make two cuts in you scrotum. They will then pull out a section of each vas deferens and cut each tube, which are then closed off by heating the tissues so that they seal shut, or by tying them. Your doctor will put the tubes back in your scrotum and close up the opening with either dissolvable stitches or adhesive strips.
The recovery period from this procedure takes about a week, but it varies between each man so it’s vital that you follow your doctor’s advice to aid recovery as best you can. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be effective if you need pain relief, but always read the information provided with them to ensure they’re safe. It’s advised that you wear close-fitting and supportive underwear during the day and night, for the first week which will help to support your scrotum while it heals, and ease the swelling and discomfort. You should also avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise – you can have a shower, but it’s important that you dry the area carefully to avoid pulling at the wound while it heals. After the operation, some sperm does remain in the vas deferens but this varies for each man as to how long it stays there for. A few months after your operation, you’ll be asked to provide a sperm sample to test whether the procedure was effective and to see if the semen is clear of sperm. With regards to having sex after your operation, this can be whenever you feel comfortable, but you should use contraception until you have been advised that you are no longer fertile.