What is a Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that permanently prevents men from fathering biological children. Most men choose a vasectomy as a form of contraception to ensure they do not have more children.
In Australia, approximately 30,000 vasectomy procedures are performed each year. Current data shows that 1 in 4 Australian men have had a vasectomy.
What is the success rate of vasectomies in reducing pregnancy?
A vasectomy is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
However, it can take up to 3-months for there to be no sperm present in ejaculated semen after a vasectomy has been performed. Using barrier protection such as condoms within this 3-month period, reduces the risk of pregnancy following a vasectomy.
A semen analysis test should be completed 12-weeks after a vasectomy to confirm that all sperm is absent following an ejaculation. To find out more on a semen analysis test following a vasectomy, click the link here.
How do I organise a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is usually performed in a hospital or day-clinic by a Urologist, or a GP or general surgeon who is trained to perform a vasectomy.
Most Urologists will require a referral letter from a GP before an appointment can be made.
A vasectomy performed in a public hospital is usually free of charge under Medicare in Australia. A vasectomy performed in a private hospital or clinic will require a fee for service. It is important to discuss fees and out of pocket expenses when making a booking.
What happens during surgery?
In a vasectomy , the tubes which carry the sperm from the testes to the penis (called the vas deferens) are surgically cut and separated. This ensures that ejaculated semen no longer contains sperm. In general terms, following a vasectomy a man will ejaculate only semen, not semen and sperm as before.
A vasectomy procedure can be completed either with a local anaesthetic-meaning you will be awake during the vasectomy procedure, or are done under a general anaesthetic, meaning you will be asleep during the procedure.
There are 2 types of vasectomy procedures:
- Open procedure method: 1-2 small openings are made by a scalpel in the front part of the scrotum. The doctor then cuts the vas deferens and seals the connection to each teste. The small openings on the scrotum are then stitched closed.
- No-scalpel procedure: 1-2 small puncture openings are made into the scrotum. The vas deferens tubes are then cut by the doctor. No stitches are typically required.
How long does a vasectomy procedure take?
Most vasectomy procedures take approximately 15-30 minutes. If a general anaesthetic was used for the vasectomy procedure, you will need to wait in a recovery ward for a few hours until you become more awake before going home.
What happens after a vasectomy?
Like most surgical procedures, there is a small amount of discomfort, swelling and bruising to the scrotum after a vasectomy.
Wearing supportive underwear (not boxer shorts), taking painkillers (such as paracetamol) and applying ice packs can help in reducing pain and swelling.
Most men can return to light duties within a few days; however, they should avoid lifting heavy loads or objects until the swelling has reduced.
Sexual activity can resume when the pain and swelling has settled, usually within 7-21 days. Condoms should be worn until a semen analysis test has been completed.
A semen analysis test should be completed 12-weeks after a vasectomy to confirm that all sperm is absent following an ejaculation. To find out more about semen analysis testing following a vasectomy, please click the link here.
Does a vasectomy affect libido?
No. Having a vasectomy will not affect libido or sexual arousal. It will not impact on getting erections, maintaining erections, testosterone levels or sexual performance.
Vasectomy and STI’s
Whilst a vasectomy significantly reduces the chance of pregnancy (by 99%), it doesn’t decrease the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) when having unprotected sex. Barrier protections, such as condoms, are strongly encouraged even after a vasectomy to reduce the chance of contracting an STI.
Can a vasectomy be reversed?
A vasectomy is some situations can be potentially reversed, however it is difficult to achieve and is not often successful.
