Vasectomy

Vasectomy is one of the safest and most effective forms of birth control for men. Still, if you’re considering the procedure, you likely have questions. Our caring specialists are here with answers and expertise, so you can feel at ease about your procedure and confident in your care.

Vasectomy Candidates

You may be a candidate for a vasectomy if:

• Pregnancy is a medical risk to your partner
• You are no longer interested in having children
• You have concerns about passing on a genetic disorder

Vasectomy Procedures

After a comprehensive physical exam to ensure there are no extra risks to surgery, your doctor will talk you through your procedure options, which include:

• Standard vasectomy. Your surgeon will make a small incision to access — and seal off — the vas deferens, which carries sperm.
• No-scalpel vasectomy. Rather than making an incision, your surgeon will access the vas deferens through a tiny hole. This is an important difference between the two procedures because it offers an even shorter recovery period.

Both procedures are minimally invasive — and that means you’ll heal and recover quickly after either one. But your physician will also go over the risks and benefits for each, and help you decide which is right for you.

In the days leading up to your procedure, we encourage you to reach out to us with any additional questions. We know it’s a big decision and want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.

Vasectomy Risks

There are risks associated with undergoing any medical procedure, even though complications are uncommon with vasectomies.

Potential risks may include:

• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Failure of the vasectomy (unintentional pregnancy)
• Infection (surgical site infection)
• Post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS)

Procedure Details

Knowing what you can expect on surgery day will go a long way in helping you feel relaxed and confident in your care. That’s why we’ve outlined the surgery day process for you, step by step.

Before Surgery

Vasectomies are typically performed in your doctor’s office or at an outpatient surgery center. After completing a physical exam, your doctor will make a recommendation for your surgery based on your unique needs.

When you arrive, you’ll be asked to:

• Check in for your procedure
• Empty your bladder
• Remove any objects, like jewelry
• Remove your clothing and put on a hospital gown

During Surgery

Once you and your care team are ready to begin, you may be asked to lie back on the exam table. The surgical area will then be shaved and cleaned with an antiseptic solution. If you’re being sedated, we’ll give you medication to make you sleepy next, in which case you won’t be aware of any of our next steps.

We will:

• Inject a numbing medicine into your scrotal area
• Make a small opening in your upper scrotal area to find the vas deferens
• Cut the vas deferens and place small clamps or ties on both ends
• Repeat these steps on the other side of your scrotum

In many cases, the surgical incisions are so small that stitches aren’t needed. But if they are, we’ll use small stitches or skin glue.

After Surgery

After the short, 20-minute procedure, we’ll meet with you to provide instructions for caring for yourself at home. You’ll then be free to go with the person you’ve designated to drive. It’s also required that you have adult supervision (even if you weren’t sedated) for the remainder of the day.

For the next few days, you should avoid physical labor and exercise. It’s also crucial to use another form of birth control until your follow-up appointment and testing.

About 2 to 3 months after your vasectomy, you’ll return to your doctor’s office to provide a semen sample, which the lab will analyze to ensure no sperm are present. Once your doctor confirms that your semen is sperm-free, you can have confidence in your vasectomy as a reliable form of contraception.

Schedule an Appointment for Vasectomy

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment, call us at (804) 327-8820. You don’t need a doctor’s referral.