Vasectomy: Benefits and risks

This is an automatically translated article.

1. What is a vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a safe and highly effective male sterilization procedure. This method is designed to make a man possibly infertile. It is done by stopping the sperm from working or it may even leave the body. A doctor cuts two tubes - called vas deferens - that carry sperm from the testicles to the sac in the pelvis to store semen before ejaculation.
Men with a vasectomy can still have sex and ejaculate normally, but their semen will not contain sperm. Therefore, these men cannot fertilize an egg and cause pregnancy. About one in five men over the age of 35 in the United States have a vasectomy.
Since this procedure is considered permanent, you will need to think carefully and consult your doctor before scheduling it.

2. The cost required for a vasectomy

A vasectomy costs much less than surgery to sterilize a woman, and most insurance companies will cover the procedure.

3. How to perform a vasectomy

There are two ways the procedure can be performed. Both require only a local anesthetic (anesthesia), take only about 15 minutes, and are usually performed in the doctor's office. (For men who don't feel comfortable having the procedure while awake, many doctors offer mild sedation.) You should talk to your doctor about which procedure will be best for you.
Scalp vasectomy (NSV). Most doctors today use this technique. During this procedure, your doctor will give you a local anesthetic and then use his fingers to maneuver the vas deferens close to the surface of the skin. Once they're in place, the doctor uses a special tool to make a small hole in the skin. When the doctor sees the tubes through that hole, the doctor cuts them and then seals them (either by engraving or using forceps). You don't need stitches. The small hole will heal on its own. Usual method. Some doctors prefer this method because they feel it helps them better see the structure they are working with during surgery. The doctor gives you a local anesthetic and makes a small incision on each side of the scrotum. The doctor then lifts the vas deferens to the surface and cuts them in half. The doctor then seals the ends (either by clipping or using forceps) and sutures the scrotum. The stitches dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed. After either procedure, you should have someone ready to take you home. You will be asked to limit your activity for the rest of the day.

4. Recovery after a vasectomy

Recovery from a vasectomy is pretty quick. In a week's time, you'll be fully recovered and you'll probably feel much better than before. In the meantime, use the following techniques to ease your discomfort:
Ice. Apply ice (or a bag of frozen beans) to your scrotum (over your underwear or wrapped in a towel) to reduce swelling. (You should bring an ice pack to your doctor's office, along with a strap to help support your scrotum after the procedure.)

Pain relief . You may feel some soreness for a few days afterward. If uncomfortable, you can take acetaminophen, but do not take ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can increase the risk of bruising or bleeding. It's not common, but if you have strong pain during this time, your doctor will give you pain medication to help control it. Rest. Plan to lie down for a few days. You'll need to wait a day or two to shower or swim, and it's better to wait a week or so before having sex, lifting heavy objects, biking, jogging, golfing, or participating in strenuous activities. other power. If you schedule surgery on Friday, you can return to work on Monday, unless your job involves manual labor.

5. The effectiveness of a vasectomy

During about the first 20 ejaculations after a vasectomy, sperm can stay in your vas deferens. Your doctor will need to check your semen sample at least once every three months to make sure it's sperm-free. Until then, you will need to use another form of birth control during sex. Following up with your doctor after the procedure is important to ensure it is successful.
Vasectomy is almost 100 percent effective. In rare cases 1 out of 1,000 cases apply the tube to grow back together, and the man is fertile again. This is an important reason to follow up with your doctor after your vasectomy to confirm that the procedure was successful.

6. Some risks of vasectomy

Some patients develop minor complications, such as:
Swelling or bruising. Bleeding under the skin can cause swelling or bruising, a problem that usually clears up on its own within two to three days. If the bruise persists, elevate your leg, apply ice, and rest a bit. Infection . In rare cases, incisions or puncture wounds in the scrotum become infected. And sometimes the tubes themselves can become infected. Call your doctor if you notice blood or pus coming from the area, if you have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius, or if you feel extreme pain. Callus. Some men develop scar tissue in the scrotum and may have to be removed if it becomes painful. Sperm granuloma. This is a growth that develops over time in 15 to 40 percent of men with a vasectomy. It occurs because the body's immune system reacts to sperm leaking at the end of the vasectomy. It is not dangerous and is usually treated with ibuprofen if uncomfortable. Rarely (if it becomes very uncomfortable), it may need to be surgically removed. In rarer cases, vasectomy men can:
Develop post-vasectomy pain syndrome. Dull pain in the testicles is caused by fluid buildup or damage to the nerves around the vas deferens. It is usually treated with ibuprofen and a warm bath. In severe cases, other oral medications, steroid injections, nerve blocking, or surgery may be needed. This syndrome affects between 1 and 2% of men who have a vasectomy, and it is always treatable. Grow a hydrocele. This is a fluid-filled sac that causes swelling in the scrotum. Usually no treatment is needed, but if the hydrocele is large and causing discomfort, it can be surgically removed. Finally, there's no evidence that the procedure increases the risk of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, or developing heart disease as some once thought. In fact, there are no known long-term side effects related to overall health and sexual performance other than those mentioned above.

7. Vasectomy and its impact on sex life

Men sometimes joke in high pitched voices when discussing vasectomy. However, this procedure does not affect a man's voice, testosterone production, facial hair, libido or sexual function. (It doesn't affect your ability to get an erection, ejaculate or orgasm.)
The vas deferens carry nothing but sperm, so the operation is simply to keep these cells free of semen. . (They are then reabsorbed into the body.) Sperm actually make up only a tiny fraction of semen, with most of the fluid coming from the prostate gland. Therefore, a vasectomy will not produce a large change in the amount of ejaculatory fluid during ejaculation. Unless you bring your microscope and sample cup to bed, you'll never notice the difference.

8. The recovery of the vasectomy

A vasectomy can be reversed, but it is a time-consuming procedure (it can take more than three hours, usually under general anesthesia).
Reversals don't always work, and the more time that has passed since a vasectomy, the smaller the chance that the reverse procedure will make you fertile again. This is partly because the vas deferens can degrade over time and partly because some men develop antibodies against their own sperm after a vasectomy, making the sperm less effective. fruit.
If you really want to have a backup plan, talk to your doctor about putting some of your sperm in a sperm bank.

9. Is a vasectomy a good choice for contraception?

Advantages
If you are absolutely certain that you do not want to conceive or have more children, a vasectomy may be a good option for you and your partner. The main benefits are convenience and freedom: You don't have to wear a condom every time you want to have sex and your partner won't have to take a daily pill or stuff or put on anything before sex. .
Another plus: You will save money in the long run. Once you've paid for the procedure, there's no extra cost of contraception.
Cons
If you think you can change your mind, then this procedure is not for you. The cost of reversing the procedure is high and there is no guarantee of success. (If the reverse procedure isn't successful, sperm can usually be taken from the testicles to be used for in vitro fertilization (IVF), but it's also an expensive procedure.)
Before going through this process. cutlery, ask yourself some tough questions: How would you feel if you lost your partner to death or got divorced or separated and then decided to have kids with someone else? Try to imagine all the possible scenarios that would cause you to change your mind.
Also, sterilization will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections like HIV, herpes, HPV (genital warts), syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
A system of modern and advanced medical equipment, possessing many of the best machines in the world, helping to detect many difficult and dangerous diseases in a short time, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of doctors the most effective. The hospital space is designed according to 5-star hotel standards, giving patients comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.
If you have a need for medical examination at Vimec Health System nationwide, please make an appointment on the website to be served.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: babycenter.com