What is Vasectomy

The vas is the name of the tube that carries the sperm from each testicle, up into the groin and then deep inside the body to the base of the penis. A vasectomy means that a piece of the vas on each side is taken out just above each testicle and the ends are tied off. The sperm cannot pass into the penis, so you will no longer be fertile. However, you will still make fluid at intercourse.

What happens before the Operation

Vasectomy is normally performed under local anaesthetic, although, if the tubes are difficult to feel it may be necessary to carry out the procedure under a brief general anaesthetic. The injection of local anaesthetic is momentarily uncomfortable but, thereafter the skin is effectively numbed.

The Operation

The skin of the scrotum will be numbed with an injection of local anaesthetic just as a dentist numbs a tooth. A 1cm (1/2 inch) cut is made in the front of the scrotum. There may be stitches to close the wound. You can expect to feel some pushing and pulling, but it is less uncomfortable than having a tooth filled. The operation takes about 20 minutes. You do not need to shave or starve beforehand and you can drive home straight away afterwards. You should wear Y-front or slip underpants, but not boxer shorts. Alternatively, you can have a general anaesthetic in which case you would be asleep during the operation. You would need to fast beforehand, but you would be able to go home the same day. Sometimes a cut is made on each side of the scrotum. Once the vas tubing has cleared itself of sperm (which may take several weeks), the operation is very reliable.

However, in spite of all surgical efforts, pregnancies do occur in about 1 in 2000 vasectomy cases. This is a very low chance and is lower than the chance of pregnancy when the contraceptive pill is used, lower than the 1 in 500 chance of pregnancy after female sterilisation, and much lower than when the sheath, coil or diaphragm are used. The operation can be reversed by re-joining the cut ends but the rate of success in producing further pregnancies is only about 1 in 3. It is best to have a vasectomy on the understanding that it is not reversible.