Questions to Ask Before Deciding on a Vasectomy

When looking for a permanent method of birth control, many men and their partners consider a vasectomy as a better option than female sterilization. That’s because a vasectomy is a less complicated procedure than tubal ligation, which requires general anesthesia, and there’s an option of vasectomy reversal down the road. However, before you decide to undergo a vasectomy, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. 

• Am I sure I don’t ever want children in the future? You may already have children and believe your family is finished, or you may have never had children and believe you want to remain childless. Maybe a future pregnancy would endanger your partner’s health, or maybe there are genetic components that make having children unwise. On the other hand, it’s impossible to know what the future holds. If your circumstances change, and you decide that you do want children, you can opt for a vasectomy reversal, but it’s not a sure thing. Sometimes, vasectomy reversals do not lead to pregnancy. What’s more, while a vasectomy only takes about 20 minutes, a vasectomy reversal is a much more delicate operation and can take up to six hours. If you’re not absolutely sure your family is complete, it may be wiser to opt for a more temporary solution.  
• Is a vasectomy safe? In short, yes. Generally safe and effective, vasectomies are performed either under local anesthesia or conscious sedation. This means you will be awake during the procedure, with local anesthesia administered directly to the scrotum, and sometimes medications are given to sedate you and relieve anxiety. After you’ve received anesthesia, the surgeon will disconnect the vas deferens, so that sperm is no longer able to leave the testicles.  
• What’s the recovery period after a vasectomy? A vasectomy doesn’t keep a man down for long. Most men are able to return to work in two or three days, and after a week they’re able to resume normal exercise and even start having sex again. It should be noted, though, that sterilization is not immediate. You’ll need to wait about two months before forgoing other forms of birth control. There will be bruising or swelling after the vasectomy, which should be gone after about two weeks.  

• Will a vasectomy negatively affect my sex drive or sexual function? No. A vasectomy doesn’t typically decrease the sex drive or the ability to achieve erection or orgasm. That’s because only about five to ten percent of ejaculate comes from the testicles, and the rest comes from other structures like your prostate and seminal vesicles. Your ejaculation will look and feel the same, there just won’t be any sperm in the semen. 

A vasectomy is a simple procedure, but getting a vasectomy reversed requires a highly skilled surgeon. If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our caring and skilled team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just have questions and want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.