Vasectomy Clinic
Vasectomy is a surgical operation for male sterilisation. It is a very effective, safe and permanent form of contraception. If you feel that your family is complete or certain that you don’t wish to have any more children, vasectomy may be the right option for you.
More than 25,000 men get a vasectomy in Australia each year. In total one in four men over the age of 40 have had a vasectomy. Vasectomy is more reliable than other methods of birth control, such as condoms or withdrawal, or for women, the contraceptive pill, intrauterine devices (IUD’s), diaphragms and related methods. For men, vasectomy is less complicated and less expensive than tubal litigation, the permanent method of birth control for women.
Vasectomy Procedure
Vasectomy is a simple day procedure. A local anesthetic injection numbs the area and then a very small hole is made in the front of the scrotum. Through this opening, each sperm-carrying tube (vas deferens) is cut and sealed off. Once this heals you will have a very small scar on the scrotum which will fade over time.
After a vasectomy, sperm are still produced and leave the testes, but are stopped in the epididymis (the collecting tube that lies along the back of the testes) where they are reabsorbed back into the body.
Associated Risks
Like any medical procedure, a vasectomy is not without its risks. These can include:
- Infection at the incision site or within the scrotum
- Bleeding during and after the procedure
- Urinary retention
- Chronic pain or pain with ejaculation
- Sperm granuloma – where small, tender lumps develop at the cut ends of your vas deferens
- Hydrocoele – where a collection of fluid develops around the testicle
It is important to talk to your Doctor about any concerns you may have going into the procedure to help put your mind at ease about any of the above risks. The doctors practicing at Carina Medical are highly skilled at carrying out vasectomies, with decades of experience in the industry.
How to make a vasectomy appointment
An appointment with the Doctor is required prior to booking a vasectomy. It is advised that this appointment is scheduled at least two weeks prior to the vasectomy booking. This is so necessary arrangements can be made and a suitable time is available. The Doctor will explain any risks and relevant treatment options prior to the procedure. The procedures are performed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Brisbane Vasectomy Clinic
The Carina Medical & Specialist Centre offers vasectomies in our South Brisbane clinic, voted Brisbane’s #1 Medical Centre in 2024. For all men in Brisbane, Greater Brisbane, and surrounding suburbs, Carina Medical is your centre of choice for experienced, painless and safe vasectomies.
Our Dr Greg Wuth has significant experience with vasectomy procedures and you can feel safe and comfortable knowing you are in the right hands. Book an appointment today to speak with Dr Wuth and learn more about getting a vasectomy in Brisbane.
Vasectomy FAQs
A vasectomy is extremely effective, with close to 100% effectiveness rate. Situations in which a vasectomy fails are very rare, and usually occur when the procedure was carried out by an inexperienced doctor.
The vasectomy procedure usually takes around 30-45 minutes. We’ll let you know how long your procedure will take when you attend your consultation.
The vasectomy procedure itself won’t be particularly painful. The Doctors use a local anaesthetic to offset any pain. You may feel some discomfort or slight pressure, but overall the level of pain will be extremely low. Ordinary pain killers and a cold pack will help manage discomfort when you get home.
Your semen volume does not noticeably reduce after a vasectomy, but it will no longer contain sperm.
You will be awake during the procedure, but the Doctor uses a local anaesthetic, so there will only be minimal pain or discomfort.
The cost of a vasectomy at the Carina Medical Vasectomy Clinic is $495.
The Medicare rebate for this procedure is $195.40.
Following your vasectomy, there will still be viable sperm in your vas deferens. It may take up to 20 ejaculations for these viable sperm to completely leave your system. You will need to submit a semen sample three months after the procedure to ensure your semen is sperm-free. This is very important. You will need to use contraception until this time.
This will be discussed at your initial consultation, where you will be able to discuss any concerns and ask any questions you may have. Please also provide your Doctor with a thorough medical history. During your consultation, you can expect to participate in a physical examination to assess whether or not you are suitable to undergo the procedure. Afterwards, you will be given some pre-operative instructions, which you must follow carefully to ensure your procedure runs as smoothly and successfully as possible. These instructions can include medication adjustments, dietary restrictions and other preparatory measures.
The recovery process differs from person to person, but you can generally expect to experience some discomfort, swelling and bruising in the area immediately afterwards. These post-operative symptoms are completely normal and easily treated with regular painkillers and icing of the area. Your Doctors will recommend resting for a few days after the surgery and avoid doing any strenuous activities. It’s possible to return to work and light activities after a few days to a week, however, you should avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for at least a few weeks. After your procedure, your Doctor will provide you with post-operative instructions to follow to ensure you heal properly.
As for any other mildly invasive medical procedure, the Doctors recommend that you do not drive home after a vasectomy. It is helpful to allow your body to begin the healing process immediately. For this reason, it’s best to have someone drive you home. Due to the relatively quick procedure, they may be able to wait in our waiting room.
If you are unsure of a vasectomy, we stress that your vasectomy procedure should be treated as permanent. In some cases, vasectomies can be reversed with another procedure, known as a vasectomy reversal or vasovasostomy. During this reversal procedure, the Doctor will attempt to reconnect the severed vas deferens tubes that were cut or blocked during the initial procedure. However, it’s highly important to know that not every reversal is successful in regaining fertility - this depends on multiple other factors, such as how long it has been since your vasectomy, whether there are any anti-sperm antibodies present, and your partner’s health and fertility rate.
Your vasectomy will not affect your sex drive or your ability to have an erection.
Book Online
If you’ve been thinking about getting a vasectomy, come in for a consultation. We’ll talk you through the ins and outs of the procedure and help you make a decision. You can book online by clicking here, or call us on 07 3398 8188.