What are the risks?

No-needle, no scalpel is a very low risk procedure. However, the following complications can occur:

Bleeding

Bruising of the scrotal skin is common, harmless and not a complication of surgery. Significant swelling of the scrotum with bleeding into the scrotal sac is very rare (less than 1%). To minimize swelling, make sure you rest as much as possible for two days after the procedure and apply ice to the area. Do not resume full activities until discomfort and swelling have subsided; usually about a week.

Infection

Infection of the skin or deep tissues is seen in fewer than 1% of patients and can be treated with oral antibiotics. Epidydimitis, or inflammation of the epidydimis occasionally can be very uncomfortable. A one to two week course of oral antibiotics and scrotal elevation usually resolves this problem.

Pain

Another potential problem is the development of a tender nodule, a "granuloma," at the cut end of the vas deferens resulting from leakage of sperm into the tissue. The tenderness usually subsides after several weeks, although very occasionally an operation to remove that nodule is necessary.

Failure

Rarely, a granuloma can also cause a bridging of the divided ends of the vas, thus reconnecting the vas and restoring fertility. For this reason, no one can guarantee sterility after vasectomy. The incidence of recanalization has been estimated at one per thousand vasectomies. The no-scalpel vasectomy technique is thought to have the best chance of preventing this problem. As a practical matter, vasectomy is a far more certain method of birth control than any method you are currently using.

Is vasectomy safe long-term?

Many studies have looked at the long-term health effects of having a vasectomy. So far, the evidence suggests that no significant risks exist. In other words, men who have a vasectomy are no more likely than other men to develop cancer (prostate or otherwise), heart disease or other health problems. However, while this is the general consensus in scientific and medical circles at the moment, there is no guarantee that something won't be discovered at some point in the future.

How long does it take?

The actual procedure itself is quite simple and only takes around 30 minutes. However, we usually ask you to allow one hour to ensure there is plenty of time for you to ask questions, prepare for the procedure and to receive instructions on post-vasectomy care.

When can we stop birth control?

You may resume sexual activity when you feel able (usually about one week but wait until you are completely free of discomfort). However, sperm can remain in the vas deferens above the operative site for weeks or even months after vasectomy. Therefore, to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, you must use a temporary form of contraception until you have received written confirmation that it is safe to stop. Only when a semen sample (done 12 weeks or more post-vasectomy) show no sperm are you considered to be sterile and the procedure deemed successful.

The first semen sample is collected three months post-vasectomy, after at least 20 ejaculations. If this sample is clear of sperm, then you do not need to do anything further. However, if there are still sperm present, you will be asked to do another sample six weeks later.

Does vasectomy affect sexual function?

No. Vasectomy only interrupts the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to where they are added to your semen. Your penis and testes are not altered. All hormonal and sexual functions are completely unaffected, so your voice, body hair and interest in sex remain the same. In fact, your sex drive may actually increase as you no longer have to worry about getting your partner pregnant!

After having a vasectomy, your body still produces semen (the majority of the semen is food for sperm), and erections and ejaculations occur normally. The only difference is that your semen will no longer contain sperm. Rather, the sperm is absorbed naturally by your body.

Can vasectomies be reversed?

In many cases, a vasectomy can be reversed. However, it involves a microsurgical procedure (called a vaso-vasostomy) which is expensive and does not guarantee returned fertility.

It is estimated that 10% of all men who have had a vasectomy consider reversal at some point in time. Therefore, it is unwise to have a vasectomy if you are uncertain about it, or are relying on a possible surgical reversal to hedge your decision.

Therefore, you should only proceed with having a vasectomy if you are very certain you do not want more children.