Vasectomy in Cleveland, OH
Facts About Vasectomy Procedures
- Vasectomy is the most popular form of permanent birth control for men all over the world.
- More than 500,000 men undergo vasectomy in United States alone every year.
- Vasectomy is a simple, safe and effective surgical procedure.
- The procedure involves removal of small segment of vas and then ligation of vas deferens (the tube that transports sperm)
- The procedure is performed in our office under local anesthesia unless you request mild I.V. sedation.
- Procedure takes only 10 minutes to perform.
- Vasectomy does not affect your ability to have sex.
- Vasectomy does not affect erections, orgasm or ejaculation.
- Vasectomy prevents sperm from mixing with the semen at ejaculation then, semen is devoid of sperm.
- There is no conclusive evidence that vasectomy causes cancer of the prostate or any health problems.
- After vasectomy, testes will continue to produce sperms, but they can no longer pass through the vas deferens. Instead, they die in the epididymis and are absorbed into the body.
- Testes continue to produce the male hormone.
- While vasectomy is considered a permanent procedure, it can be reversed.
- Some patients may want to consider sperm banking in case they desire to father another child in the future. We can refer them to sperm bank. Patients are charged a fee for storage.
- After vasectomy, patients must practice other methods of contraception for 6-8 weeks because the sperms are still present in the seminal ducts.
- To confirm the success of operation, patients must have a semen analysis in our office. Once two consecutive semen analysis show absence of sperm, patients are considered sterile.
- Very rarely vas deferens may grow back together. This can occur anytime after vasectomy.
How to Prepare for a Vasectomy
During your initial consultation:
- Procedure will be explained to you.
- All complications will be discussed.
- You will be given the opportunity to ask questions.
If you decide to have the operation:
- Our office staff will schedule your procedure.
- Procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia or I.V. sedation – we will instruct you accordingly.
- Please shave your lower pubic area and scrotum at home.
- Please bring a scrotal support or tight brief.
- Please bathe or take shower night before and morning of the procedure.
- Please bring some one with you to drive you home.
- You may eat and drink as you wish unless you have chosen I.V. sedation, in that case please do not eat or drink past midnight.
- Please stop aspirin and all blood thinning medications for 7 days.
During the Procedure
- You will be asked to sign a consent form.
- You will be asked to undress and change into a gown and lie on the examination table.
- You will be cleaned with antiseptic soap.
- You will be given injection of a local anesthetic into the skin of your scrotum using very tiny and thin needle. This causes very minor discomfort.
- Once the anesthetic takes effect, vas deferens will be palpated through the scrotal skin, and a special clamp will be placed to encircle and hold the vas deferens. A special instrument is then used to puncture the skin, which is then stretched and vas deferens is dissected, divided, suture ligated or fulgurated.
- The tiny opening in the skin may be closed with one or two absorb-able sutures.
- This improved technique is quicker (less than 10 minutes) causes less pain, less swelling and no bleeding.
- Sterile dressing will be applied and you will be sent home with your family.
Post-Operative Care
- Once you get home, stay off your feet as much as possible for the first two days.
- Wear athletic support or tight briefs.
- Keep Ice Pack on scrotum for 2 days. (must use Ice Pack for at least 6-8 hours soon after surgery)
- Take all your medications as prescribed.
- No dietary restrictions.
- You may take Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve for pain.
- You may bathe or take shower after 24 hours.
- Wait 4-5 days before having intercourse, but remember you MUST use other methods of contraception. Otherwise she might get pregnant!
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 1 week.
- If sutures were used, they will dissolve by themselves. Please do not take them out. Occasionally, it takes 4-6 weeks before they are absorbed by your body.
- For about a week, your scrotum may look bruised and slightly swollen. You may have a small amount of bloody discharge from the incision site and you may feel mild discomfort. These symptoms are NORMAL.
- Please call our office to make an appointment to see us in 6 weeks. At this visit please also bring a fresh sample of your semen in the cup provided to you in our office.
- You may return to your work and normal routine activities after 2-3 days.
When Should You Contact Us?
- Persistent pain
- Fever & chills
- Bright red bleeding from the incision site
- Scrotal swelling
- Pus like discharge from the incision
What Are the Risks of a Vasectomy?
Although the risks are considered rare after vasectomy, any invasive procedure carry with it a certain degree of risk.
- Scrotal hematoma – a small blood vessel may leak under the skin
- Infection
- Chronic testicular pain
- Sperm granuloma
- Recanalization
Vasectomy FAQs
It is important for patients to share all relevant information with your doctor, as these may influence the result of the vasectomy. For example, be sure to communicate any known allergies or effects caused by common medications or topical anesthetics. It is also critical to address and questions or concerns during this preliminary stage so that patients can be well informed and educated about their procedure.
Exact instructions will be given prior to arriving at Cleveland Urology for your vasectomy. While these guidelines may vary, they generally include:
- Avoiding blood thinners, anti-inflammatories, or aspirin in the few days leading up to the procedure
- Eat a small, nutritious meal before the vasectomy to prevent lightheadedness or nausea that can occur after fasting for several hours
- Wearing an athletic supporter or tightfitting undergarments to support the treatment area after the vasectomy
- Shower before surgery to ensure the site is appropriately cleaned before the procedure
- You may also be asked to shave the genitals yourself, or this may be done in the office before the vasectomy begins
- Arrange to have a friend or family member help to care for you after the procedure is complete
Depending upon your doctor’s chosen approach, a vasectomy may be performed using various specialized techniques. While traditional surgery to complete a vasectomy is still a highly effective option, many urologists now offer minimally invasive options for men who wish to complete this procedure.
No matter what method is selected, the process remains relatively the same. To begin, the patient will be numbed so that they are comfortable throughout the entire treatment, at which point a small incision will be made so that your doctor has access to the patient’s vas deferens. The vas deferens are two tubes responsible for carrying a man’s semen from the testicles to create semen. Without the vas deferens, sperm have no way to exit the body and fertilize a woman’s egg, meaning that pregnancy is not possible.
After the vas deferens are cut and quickly sealed using highly focused heat at the ends of each tube, the procedure is essentially complete. A stitch or two may be made to close the treatment site, though the incision is usually so small that it can be left to heal on its own.
Recovery from a vasectomy, especially one that is performed using minimally invasive techniques, is quite minimal. Patients should expect some soreness and swelling in the first 24-48 hours after their vasectomy, though this should dissipate quickly so long as they rest and limit their activities as much as possible during this period.
Most men are able to return to work and other everyday responsibilities within 2-3 days following their vasectomy, though it is advised to avoid any heavy lifting or other strenuous activity until you receive proper clearance from your doctor.
The most common side effects after a vasectomy are mild pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Of course it is still possible for more severe issues to occur, though they are incredibly rare. These include:
- Infection
- Chronic pain
- Failure to prevent pregnancy
- Granuloma (inflammation caused by leaking sperm)
- Spermatocele formation (a small cyst of the upper testicle region)
- Hydrocele (a fluid-filled sac of tissue that grows within the scrotum)
Individuals at risk for more serious complications include those who have suffered testicular cancer or testicular disease, though even in these outlying groups rarely encounter serious side effects caused by a vasectomy. Be sure to discuss your own individual risk factors with your doctor to determine if a vasectomy is a safe option for you.
No. A vasectomy has absolutely no proven effect on a man’s sex drive, sexual functions, or pleasure during sex. There are many common myths surrounding this particular question, though all evidence clearly shows that the only difference a man should notice after a vasectomy compared to his life before is that he is no longer able to father children.
Please be very aware that the results of a vasectomy are not immediate. Your doctor will need to test the patient’s sperm in the weeks following a vasectomy to determine if the procedure was in fact successful at preventing the production and transfer of sperm through the vas deferens. During this time, men are instructed not to engage in unprotected sex, as this could lead to a potential pregnancy.
A vasectomy is more than 99% effective. Of the few cases in which a pregnancy does occur after a vasectomy, a majority are within the first year after the procedure is performed.
There is a procedure for that as well! A vasectomy reversal may be offered to men who have previously undergone a vasectomy and later wish to conceive a child.
It is of course advised for patients to carefully consider this possibility before they complete a vasectomy, as vasectomy reversal procedures are not guaranteed to be effective. Men may also consider storing their sperm in a sperm bank prior to a vasectomy as a sort of safeguard to this potential situation.
Schedule Your Consultation with Cleveland Urology Associates
The board certified urologists at Cleveland Urology Associates specialize in providing vasectomy procedures in Cleveland, Ohio. Call (440) 891-6500 to schedule your appointment at one of our five convenient locations today.