What to Consider When You’re Thinking About Getting a Vasectomy
June 15, 2015
A vasectomy is a safe, effective procedure that can be used to prevent conception. It is minimally invasive and performed on an outpatient basis, so it is a popular choice among men who need a permanent, reliable method of birth control.
How Does It Work?
During a vasectomy, the surgeon cuts the vas deferens, which is the tube that carries sperm to the prostate. This prevents sperm from exiting the body during ejaculation. Instead, they are reabsorbed by the body.
Vasectomies are typically complete within 15 to 30 minutes. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, and you can typically drive yourself home after the procedure. To minimize swelling, you can place an ice pack on the area for eight hours following the surgery. The pain from this procedure is minimal and can usually be controlled with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Is It Safe?
The vasectomy is a safe option for men who are no longer interested in conceiving children. In the past, vasectomies were performed with a scalpel. Today, however, a less invasive method has been developed: the no-scalpel vasectomy. With the NSV, trauma to the area is minimal, pain is reduced, and recovery is faster.
Is It Effective?
Vasectomies are highly effective. However, sterility will not be immediate, so you will need to use an alternative form of birth control until your urologist clears you to discontinue it. This may take several months.
The vasectomy is a permanent birth control solution. Once the vas deferens has been cut, sperm will no longer exit the body during ejaculation. The procedure can be reversed with an additional surgery, but the complete return of fertility is not guaranteed. For this reason, you should have a vasectomy only if you are sure that you don’t want to conceive any children in the future.
Will It Change My Sex Life?
If you choose to have a vasectomy, you will be able to resume sexual activity approximately one week after the procedure. Although having a vasectomy prevents sperm from being released from your body, it does not alter your hormones or affect your libido. Your seminal fluid will still look and feel the same as it did before the procedure, and your ability to produce and maintain an erection will not change.
By: Joseph Song, M.D. Living in the Atlanta area and the southeast United States generally has many benefits. However, a dubious distinction of our area revolves around why we are known as the “stone belt.” No, we’re not talking about mining stones or gems. Instead, it’s the fact that those who live in the southeast United […]
Although kidney stones are rarely life threatening, they might not feel like it. In fact, they can be extremely painful. Here is some basic information about this condition, along with possible treatment options. What Are Kidney Stones? Kidney stones are small deposits that form on the insides of the kidneys when urine becomes too concentrated, […]
The votes are in! Thank you for voting Georgia Urology as Best Urology 2015 in Best Self Atlanta Magazine’s “Best of 2015 Contest!” We love serving the Atlanta community and are honored to keep you at your best.
