Vasectomy: Top 10 Questions & Answers!

What men - and their wives - want to know. Here is a checklist of some of the most frequently asked questions (in no specific order), and the answers that doctors provide.

List all questions to discuss with your doctor.

A man and his spouse should carefully consider what they want to know before deciding about a vasectomy. It's important that every couple to be fully informed and aware.

The more time a couple spends in becoming educated about a vasectomy…or any procedure, for that matter…the greater confidence they will have in making a decision that is right for them and their situation.

The following Questions and Answers may be helpful as a checklist to what is commonly asked by others. Compare this list with your concerns, and explore the other pages of this Web site for additional information, topics and considerations.

Always discuss your issues with the doctor of your choice.

Basically, what is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure used by urologic surgeons to make a man sterile. It is one of the most popular forms of contraception in the United States and worldwide, and is regarded as safe, simple and highly effective. A vasectomy is performed by cutting the vas deferens, the small tube that carries sperm from the man's testicles to become part of his semen. Although the man continues to have sexual intercourse and climax as before, his semen does not contain sperm and he cannot father a child following a vasectomy.

Does it work immediately?

No, any vasectomy does not make you sterile right away, and you'll want to continue using some other means to guard against pregnancy until your doctor tells you otherwise. Immediately after a vasectomy, active sperm remain in the semen for a period of time. It may take 15 to 20 ejaculations and several weeks before your semen is free of sperm. Your doctor will test the semen, perhaps several times over several weeks, and let you know when you can safely consider the vasectomy to be complete. This may be as long as two months.

What happens to the sperm?

This is a mystery to some people, but the answer is both normal and natural. The body absorbs unused sperm cells normally - whether or nor you've had a vasectomy. After the procedure, the testicles will continue to produce sperm, but they will not leave the body in the semen. They dissolve and are simply and naturally absorbed by the body.

Will my sex life be affected?

A vasectomy only blocks sperm and does not affect your sexual drive, your ability to have an erection, orgasm or ejaculation or your ability to have and enjoy sex. Sperm is only a small fraction of the total liquid in your semen. The amount of fluid, intensity - even color and texture - does not appear to change when sperm is absent. Male hormones continue in the bloodstream, and secondary characteristics (such as beard or voice) do not change. Some couples say their relationship is improved by not having to worry about contraceptive techniques or unplanned pregnancy.

Are there risks or complications?

Yes, as with any surgical procedure, there could be complications and you should ask your doctor to go over these carefully with you. However, any type of vasectomy ranks among the safest procedures and the majority of complications, if any, are usually minor and easily treated. These include a chance of infection, bleeding or transient bruising, temporary swelling or fluid accumulation.

Following the procedure, some men experience pain, often as a dull ache, caused by a pressure on the miniature tubes of the epididymis. This is usually treated successfully with medication, but the removal of the epididymis is sometimes recommended.

Some studies have found that some men, who had a vasectomy 20 years earlier, have a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer than others who did not have a vasectomy. Most other studies did not support those results. The American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society recommend that men over the age of 50 should have a regular prostatic examination and a PSA blood test to help detect early prostate changes. This recommendation is the same for all men in this age range (50 to 70), including those who have had a vasectomy and those who have not had the procedure.

For a more recent study looking at a group of nearly 2000 men and concluding that there is no increased risk of prostate cancer after a vasectomy, you can see the abstract at The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Can a vasectomy be reversed?

You should consider any vasectomy to be permanent. There are delicate microsurgery operations that may be able to reverse the effects of a vasectomy, but there is no assurance that the flow of sperm can be restored or pregnancy will result in every case. The likelihood of success can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, including how much time has passed since the vasectomy. If you are seriously considering a vasectomy, it's best to assume that it will be a permanent change.

In Summary:

• Be prepared to ask a lot of questions; informed decisions are best.
• Always discuss your issues with the doctor of your choice.
• A vasectomy is a simple, safe and highly effective procedure.
• Results are not immediate; it may be weeks before sterility is complete.
• Vasectomy does not change your ability to have an erection or enjoy sex.
• The procedure is safe, risks are low and complications are rare.
• A vasectomy should be considered permanent and may not be able to be reversed later.

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