What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a medical procedure available for men that want to prevent future pregnancy. It is also referred to as male sterilization. During your vasectomy surgery, the small tubes in your scrotum that carry sperm are cut or blocked off. Your sperm can no longer leave your body and cause pregnancy. This procedure is performed by a doctor and is almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Vasectomies can be performed in two ways:
Incision Method
The doctor makes one or two small cuts in the skin of your scrotum. Your tubes that carry sperm are blocked off or a tiny part of each tube is removed. The tubes can be blocked with surgical clips, tied, or closed with an electrical current. The procedure takes less than half an hour.
What happens after my vasectomy?
After your procedure, you will be able to go home and rest the same day. It is common to experience discomfort and some bruising and swelling, but you should not be in severe pain. You shouldn’t exercise or do hard physical labor for about a week after your surgery. You can take over-the-counter pain medication, ice your genitals, and wear tighter fitting underwear that keeps your genitals in place to help with your discomfort. However, if you experience fever, high pain in your scrotum or testicle area, or bleeding or oozing from incisions, you should call your doctor.
You can start having intercourse a few days to a week after your procedure. If it is uncomfortable wait a few more days, but remember a vasectomy will not prevent pregnancy right away. It takes about three months for your semen to be sperm-free. Until your doctor confirms you are sperm-free you should continue to use other forms of safe birth control.
Dr. Timms is well experienced in vasectomy procedures. You can contact Dr. Timms if you have further questions or would like to schedule a consultation.