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Common Vasectomy Questions

When should I consider a vasectomy? How am I different after a vasectomy? What are some of the possible risks and complications? What about my long-term health? How much does a vasectomy cost? What should I consider if I were to change my mind after the procedure? Why not a tubal ligation instead? Will a vasectomy protect me from a STD? What Happens to the sperm after the vasectomy? Is it possible to be fertile after a successful vasectomy?

Question: When should I consider a vasectomy? Here are six common reasons for considering a vasectomy: You want to enjoy sex without worrying about pregnancy. You do not want to have more children. You and your partner do not want to or cannot use other kinds of birth control. You want to save your partner from the surgery involved in having a tubal ligation, which carries a higher risk and failure rate. Your partner has health problems that might make pregnancy difficult. You do not want to risk passing on a hereditary disease or disability. top of page

Question: How am I different after a vasectomy? After vasectomy, a man is unchanged except for his blocked sperm tubes. Sperm make up about 1% of the ejaculate, so there will be no detectible difference in volume. The testes still produce sperm, but they are simply re-absorbed into the body.  Vasectomy does not affect a man's sex drive, masculinity, testosterone levels or orgasm. His ability to have an erection is also fully unchanged. Furthermore, most men report that sex is better after vasectomy because they no longer need to worry about an accidental pregnancy. With the security and peace of mind permanent contraception brings, sex can be more relaxed and spontaneous. top of page

Question: What are some of the possible risks and complications? If you experience any problems at all, be it pain, swelling etc. see your doctor right away to receive the appropriate treatment. Should you believe you are not getting better after a reasonable amount of time then always take into consideration that seeking a second opinion from a qualified provider is a reasonable course of action. There are no life threatening complications associated with NSV. The minor complications that can arise are generally short-lived and resolve with ice, rest, anti-inflammatories and time.  Long-term safety with vasectomy is considered excellent, although all of the following are possible (complication rate in brackets): Mild Discomfort Some men report a mild aching sensation to the scrotum for a few hours to a few days after the procedure. Hematomas Mild bleeding into the scrotum causing small tender swelling for a few days.(1/400). A major bleed into the scrotum causing a grapefruit sized scrotum which will take months to heal (1/1000). Infection Redness and pus from the healing site opening (1/100). Epididymitis Tender swelling of the epididymis, the tube connecting the vas deferens and the testes (1/100). Sperm granuloma A small, potentially uncomfortable, bead-like structure made of leaked sperm that may develop at the site where the tube was cut and blocked (1/500). Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome A very rare complication of a persisting dull ache in the testicle where the inflammation does not settle down. It may resolve on its own or may need another surgical procedure 1/1000). Failure Because a doctor has inadequately blocked one or both tubes, or because one or both tubes has rejoined ( less than 1/2500). Antisperm antibodies Produced by the body in response to the absorbed sperm. The antibodies are thought to be non-harmful but can make fertility difficult to restore later. Other Other uncommon complications have been reported. Most experienced vasectomists report complication rates around 5%. top of page

Question: What about my long term health? Over the years, many questions have been raised regarding possible long-term effects of vasectomy. Claims that vasectomy causes arthritis, atherosclerosis or heart disease have long been put to rest. Other studies have suggested that vasectomy may slightly increase the risk of getting prostate cancer. Many other subsequent studies have not validated this risk. Current policy recommendations of the NIH (National Institute of Health) are: All contraceptive methods carry some risks. When making decisions about contraception, each individual or couple must be informed about and weigh the various risks and benefits. Because the results of research to date on vasectomy and prostate cancer are inconsistent and associations that have been found are weak, there is insufficient basis for recommending a change in clinical and public health practice at this time. In light of this: Providers should continue offering vasectomy and performing the procedure. Screening for prostate cancer should not be any different for men who have had a vasectomy than for those who have not. top of page

Question: How much does a vasectomy cost? In the USA, many insurers cover vasectomy and prices vary from $350 to $1000. In Canada, vasectomy is an insured service Read section on costs: Click here top of page

Question: What should I consider if I were to change my mind after the vasectomy procedure? A doctor could attempt a reversal procedure. Up to 5% of men change their minds at a later date and look for a reversal procedure. However, a vasectomy is difficult and sometimes impossible to reverse. Chances of reversal are at best 70% within the first year after the procedure is done, and drops 10% further every year afterwards. Considering these statistics, before the procedure is done, many men choose to buy what can be considered a type of "insurance," called sperm banking or cryopreservation. There are facilities available to store your sperm in a cyrogenic freezer for a fee in the event that the unforeseen arises later in your life and you should wish to have more children. top of page

Question: Why not a tubal ligation instead? Vasectomy procedures now out-number tubal ligations in some cities, clearly indicating a shift in people's thinking about permanent contraception. A tubal ligation carries a greater potential health risk for a woman than a vasectomy does for a man. This is because a tubal ligation requires a general anesthetic, and introduces the chance of abdominal trauma during the surgery. It also increases the risk of other life-threatening complications such as an ectopic pregnancy. Consider also that a tubal ligation costs the medical system significantly more than a vasectomy. top of page

	Question: Will a vasectomy protect me from a STD? No. A vasectomy cannot protect you from a sexually transmitted disease, including AIDS. Condoms are still the best protection against these diseases. top of page

	Question: What happens to the sperm after a vasectomy? The testicles will continue to produce sperm that will in turn leak out the lower ends of the cut vas tubes. The sperm cells are surrounded and broken down by the body’s waste removal cells into their component parts, which are either excreted or recycled. This process causes no concerns of any clinical significance. top of page
	Question: Is it possible to be fertile after a successful vasectomy? A successful vasectomy is confirmed by doing semen checks (see confirming sterility); after which, there remains a small risk of failure. To elucidate this risk, if  3000 couples were sexually active and did so unprotected for 10 years, one pregnancy would result in the entire group over that 10 year period. top of page

 

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