All You Need to Know About Vasectomy (Male Sterilization)

Vasectomy or male sterilization is a surgical procedure that cuts or seals the tubes that carry sperm to prevent pregnancy permanently. The procedure stops the sperm from being able to leave the testes. With no sperm entering the vagina, pregnancy is not possible.

A male vasectomy procedure is usually carried out by injecting a local anaesthetic where the patient is awake. The part of the body will be numb. The procedure usually takes around 15 minutes and men can still have an orgasm or ejaculate afterwards.

How Effective is the Procedure?

The male vasectomy procedure is 99% effective. It may be an extremely rare case where the man's tubes rejoin and result in a pregnancy. Moreover, just after the vasectomy is done, sperm can still get out for some time. Ensure to get follow-up tests so that one is informed about other methods of birth control.

 Also, note that the procedure does not prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases/infections like chlamydia or HIV/AIDS.

Why Is the Procedure Done?

The male vasectomy procedure is a birth control choice for men who are 100% sure about not wanting to father a child in future. The procedure is done because-

• it is 99% effective in the prevention of pregnancy, unlike some other methods
• it is an outpatient surgery that has a low risk of complications and side effects
• the cost of vasectomy (male sterilization) is lesser than a tubal ligation (female sterilization). It also has a lesser cost when compared to long-term birth control medications for women
• there is no need to take birth control steps before sex like putting a condom

How Does It Work?

Vasectomy stops the sperm from getting into a man's semen - the fluid he ejaculates. Basically, the tubes carrying the sperm from a man's testicles to the penis are cut, sealed or blocked with heat. Hence, when the man ejaculates, the semen has no sperm in it and a woman's egg cannot be fertilized.

How Is the Procedure Carried Out?

The male vasectomy procedure is a quick and painless surgical procedure which does not require staying back in the hospital. The patient is discharged on the same day barring any complications. The procedure can be done in two ways-

Conventional Vasectomy Using a Scalpel (Surgical Knife)

In this procedure, the doctor uses a local anaesthetic to numb the scrotum by making 2 small cuts in the skin on each side. This is done so the doctor can reach the tubes that carry the sperm out of the testicles. Both the tubes are cut and a small section is removed after which the ends of the tubes are closed. This is done either by sealing them or tying them using heat. Then, dissolvable stitches are used to stitch the cuts which go away on their own within a week.

No-Scalpel Vasectomy

In this procedure, the doctor numbs the scrotum with local anaesthetic after which they make a tiny puncture hole in the skin of the scrotum to reach the tubes. This does not involve the use of a scalpel. The tubes are closed in the same way as a conventional vasectomy, either being sealed off or being tied.

This procedure involves minimal bleeding and no stitches and is relatively less painful. It is less likely to cause complications in comparison to a conventional vasectomy.

Usually, the doctor would discuss the two procedures and ask which one the patient would want to choose.

Are there any risks associated with the male vasectomy procedure?

One of the biggest risks with the procedure is that someone may change their mind after the procedure. Even though the reversal is possible through surgery, it is very difficult. Moreover, reversal surgery is way more complicated than the normal procedure and can be expensive and ineffective. Hence, it should be better known as a permanent method for birth control. Before getting a vasectomy, one must be certain about not wanting to father a child in the future. The procedure does not have any noticeable side effects or serious complications. However, there still might be a few side effects right after the surgery.

• Bleeding/ blood clots inside the scrotum
• Blood in the semen
• Infection at the surgery site
• Bruised scrotum
• Mild Pain
• Discomfort
• Swelling

Some of the delayed complications of the surgery include-

• chronic Pain (rare)
• fluid buildup in the testicle causing a dull ache that gets worse with ejaculation
• inflammation due to leaking sperm
• pregnancy when vasectomy fails (rare)
• development of an abnormal cyst in the small and coiled tube located on the upper testicle that collects and transports sperm
• a fluid-filled sac (hydrocele) surrounding a testicle causing swelling in the scrotum

After the Procedure

The procedure does not provide immediate protection against the pregnancy and an alternative form of birth control must be used before the doctor confirms the presence of sperm in the semen. Before having unprotected sex, it is best to wait 2-3 months or ejaculate 15 to 20 times or more clearing off any sperm from the semen. The doctor would perform a follow-up test to ensure the person is clear of any sperm. This is usually done after 12 weeks of the procedure.