A vasectomy is a safe, highly effective form of permanent male birth control. During this minor outpatient procedure, the tubes that carry sperm (the vas deferens) are blocked, preventing sperm from reaching the semen. After a vasectomy, men continue to produce sperm, testosterone, and semen normally, but the semen no longer contains the sperm that cause pregnancy.
Vasectomy is more than 99% effective and is often the most logical, cost-effective, and reliable form of contraception available for individuals or couples who are certain they do not want children (or more children).
Your guide to vasectomies
Anesthesia options
Most vasectomies are performed using local anesthesia. This means you are awake during the procedure, but the area being treated will be completely numb. You may feel pressure, movement, or a slight pulling sensation, but you should not feel pain beyond the initial numbing injection.
Because the procedure is quick, typically taking around 15 minutes, local anesthesia is enough for most patients. For men who are anxious about the procedure, oral anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed to help them relax. In some cases, nitrous oxide gas may be used, which can help reduce anxiety while allowing patients to remain awake and comfortable during the procedure.
For patients with significant anxiety, a history of difficulty tolerating procedures under local anesthesia, or anatomy that may make an office vasectomy more challenging, the procedure can instead be performed in the operating room under sedation or general anesthesia. Your urologist can discuss these options and help determine the approach that best suits you.
Before the procedure
During your consultation, your urologist will review the vasectomy procedure, discuss its risks and benefits, and answer any questions you may have. Because vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of contraception, it is important to carefully consider your family-planning goals before proceeding. If you have a partner, you may wish to discuss the decision together before your consultation.
Recovery after vasectomy
Most men can return to desk work and light activity within 1-2 days, though strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and sexual activity should be avoided for about 5-7 days. Mild bruising, swelling, and discomfort are common during the first few days after the procedure. Ice packs, supportive underwear, and over-the-counter pain medication are usually all that is needed for recovery.
Risks and potential complications
Vasectomy is a very safe procedure, and serious complications are uncommon. Mild bruising, swelling, and discomfort are expected during the first few days and usually go away with rest, ice, supportive underwear, and over-the-counter pain medication.
Uncommon complications include infection, bleeding within the scrotum (hematoma), a non-cancerous lump called a sperm granuloma, and failure of the vasectomy due to spontaneous reconnection of the vas deferens. In rare cases, men may experience chronic testicular or scrotal pain after vasectomy, known as post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS). About 1-2% of men have persistent pain that affects quality of life.
Important: Vasectomy is not immediately effective
A vasectomy does not prevent pregnancy immediately. Couples should continue using another form of birth control until a post-vasectomy semen analysis confirms that no sperm (or very small numbers of non-moving sperm) are present in the man’s semen. This testing is usually performed about three months after the procedure.
The testing is important because there’s a roughly 1 in 500 chance that the cut ends of the vas deferens can naturally reconnect in the three months after a vasectomy. The post-vasectomy semen analysis makes sure this hasn’t happened. The risk of reconnection decreases to 1 in 2,000 over the remainder of the man’s life.
To help clear any remaining sperm from the reproductive tract, patients are usually encouraged to “clear the pipes” by ejaculating 20-30 times before providing their post-vasectomy semen sample.
Benefits
Vasectomy has several advantages compared to other forms of birth control:
Highly effective
Vasectomy is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy after a follow-up semen analysis confirms that no viable sperm are present.
Permanent contraception
Vasectomy provides long-term birth control without the need for pills, condoms, injections, or other ongoing contraceptive methods.
Cost-effective
A vasectomy is often less expensive over time than years of other birth control methods.
Shared responsibility
Vasectomy allows men to take an active role in family planning and is a simpler, safer, and less invasive procedure than female sterilization.
No effect on sexual function
Vasectomy does not affect testosterone levels, sex drive, erections, orgasm, or the appearance and volume of ejaculate.
Peace of mind
Many couples report greater confidence and enjoyment in their sexual relationship after vasectomy, because they no longer worry about an unplanned pregnancy.
Is vasectomy reversible?
Although vasectomy reversal is possible, it is a more complex procedure, and success cannot be guaranteed. Men considering vasectomy should view the procedure as permanent and proceed only if they are confident that they don’t want to father children in the future.
Why choose UAB?
UAB Urology provides complete, patient-centered care using modern techniques designed to maximize comfort and minimize recovery time. As one of the leading academic urology programs in the Southeast, UAB Urology is staffed by experienced providers who support patients before, during, and after the procedure. And for patients who want a vasectomy reversal, the reproductive urologists at UAB Medicine are extensively trained in the procedure.
Below are a few other highlights of our program and benefits to patients:
$800 self-pay vasectomy option
UAB Urology now offers a self-pay option for vasectomies, at an out-of-pocket cost of $800. It’s a great option for those without health insurance or who have a high deductible. Since the self-pay option is not billed to insurance, the out-of-pocket cost will not be applied to any insurance deductible you may have.
Minimally invasive vasectomy
UAB Urology offers minimally invasive, no-scalpel vasectomy techniques that require only tiny openings in the scrotum rather than traditional incisions (cuts). This approach typically results in less pain, bleeding, and swelling, and a faster recovery.
Treating post-procedure pain
UAB Medicine provides complete evaluation and treatment for men who develop persistent pain after vasectomy, which is rare. Our fellowship-trained specialists offer the full range of care, from conservative medical management of the pain to specialized surgical procedures when needed.
Our services are provided at multiple convenient locations in the greater Birmingham area, including UAB St. Vincent’s East, UAB Hospital-Highlands, The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, and Hoover Specialty Care. For more information or to make an appointment with UAB Urology, please call 205-996-8765.
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