Information Session
26th April, 2022Complete Guide To Getting A Vasectomy
Are you looking for a permanent birth control method? You may be thinking about getting a vasectomy, and you wouldn’t be the only one. About one in four Australian men over the age of 40 has had a vasectomy. The procedure is fast, simple and safe and results in a more effective method of birth control than any other, besides abstinence.
What Is A Vasectomy?
Vasectomy is a form of permanent male sterilization that cuts the supply of sperm to your semen. The procedure done by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm. It has a low risk of problems and can usually be performed in your doctor’s clinic with local anesthesia.
The Benefits of Vasectomy
There are many advantages to choosing vasectomy as birth control, the main one being its effectiveness. One procedure is all that is needed to achieve permanent contraception for a man. It is fast, simple and more effective than female sterilization, which is a more involved procedure, expensive and has a greater risk of complications.
Once performed, a vasectomy is one of the most effective contraceptives.
See the table below for annual pregnancy rates with the common forms of birth control:
Female hormonal injection (DepoProvera)……… 3%
Birth control pill …………………………………… 8%
Diaphragm…………………………………………….16%
Cervical cap………………………………………… 16 -32%
Condom …………………………………………….. 15%
Rhythm (periodic monthly abstinence) ……….. 12-20%
Withdrawal (prior to ejaculation) ………………. 27%
Spermicidal creams……………………………… 28%
Female tubal ligation …………………………… <1%
Vasectomy ……………………………………….. <1%
Source: Statistics current as of 2009 (adapted from Contraceptive Technology, 19th edition, 2007)
Other benefits to vasectomy include the simple procedure. Our experienced doctors offer walk-in walk-out vasectomies, performed within 45 minutes. Most men return to normal work and activities within a few days. The one-time cost of a vasectomy may also be cheaper over time than the cost of other birth control methods, such as condoms or medication. Which is another benefit to vasectomy.
Vasectomy Risks
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.
You might experience slight discomfort in the days following a vasectomy. Ordinary pain killers and a cold pack will help manage.
Unfounded Vasectomy Concerns
Many men worry that a vasectomy could cause serious problems — but these fears are unfounded.
A vasectomy won’t:
- Affect your sexual performance
- Permanently damage your sexual organs
- Increase your risk of certain cancers
- Increase your risk of heart disease
- Cause severe pain
What Does The Procedure Involve?
Here at The Carina Medical & Specialist Centre we offer discreet walk-in walk-out vasectomies at our practice in Carina, Brisbane that can usually be performed within 45 minutes with our experienced vasectomy doctor, Dr Greg Wuth.
An initial consultation with Dr Wuth is required prior to booking a vasectomy. We advise that this appointment is scheduled at least two weeks prior to the vasectomy booking.
A standard vasectomy procedure is as follows. Your doctor will inject local anesthetic using a tiny needle to numb the surgical site. This anesthetic works immediately. The doctor then makes a small opening in the skin so your sperm-carrying tubes, or vas deferens, can be grasped, cut and sealed off. You will experience minimal to no discomfort, though some men feel a slight “tugging” sensation. The procedure causes very little bleeding and stitches may or may not be needed to close the incision. Overall, the procedure generally takes between 15-30 minutes and you can be in and out of our practice within 45 minutes.
Following The Procedure
Following 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. If you show any signs of infection such as blood oozing from the surgery site; a temperature of more than 38 C, you should call your doctor right away.
What happens to sperm after a vasectomy?
Your testes continue to make sperm, but the sperm cells die and are absorbed by the body. This is the same way the body handles other types of cells that die and are replaced on a daily basis.
Is a vasectomy immediately effective for birth control?
No. Sperm can remain in the vas deferens beyond the blockage site for weeks or even months after vasectomy. You will not be considered sterile until post surgical testing (usually done 12 weeks after your operation) shows that no live sperm remain. This test must be repeated monthly until clear. Until then, you must continue to use other methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Does vasectomy protect against sexually transmitted infections?
No. 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 disease — even after you have a vasectomy.
Is a vasectomy 100 percent effective?
Other than total abstinence, no method of birth control is 100 percent effective. In very rare cases, it is possible for sperm to find its way across the gap between the two blocked ends of the vas deferens. The annual pregnancy rate after a vasectomy is less than 1%.
Can a vasectomy be reversed?
Vasectomy is meant to be a permanent method of male contraception. Attempting to reverse a vasectomy can sometimes be possible but can also fail, even if the tubes are rejoined. So you’ll want to carefully consider whether the procedure is right for you before having a vasectomy.