WHAT IS VASECTOMY?
Vasectomy is a term given to a small operation done on a tube-like part of male reproductive system that is called as vas deferens to block it from carrying out the sperm from the testicles to the penis and prevent the pregnancy.
It is a form of male birth control to lower the risk of pregnancy and is almost 100% effective is doing so. It is also referred as ‘male sterilization’.
WHY IS A VASECTOMY DONE?
The major goal here is to prevent the pregnancy. This birth control method has about a 100% success rate. For getting a woman pregnant, the man has to release his sperm from urethra. Whereas, after getting vasectomy, the vas deferens fails to pass the semen to the urethra since it is cut off or blocked off in the procedure and those sperm rather go inside the body that does no harm to the body.
WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE GETTING VASECTOMY DONE?
Make sure you are certain about your decision of not becoming a father ever again in the future. Although, vasectomy can be reversed sometimes; but it is successful in very rare cases.
HOW IS A VASECTOMY DONE?
It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes to get the procedure done.
The surgery area is numbed with a local anesthetic injection into the scrotal skin.
A small incision is made in the upper part of the scrotum once the doctor is sure that area has got numb. In the case of non-incision procedure, a small puncture is made instead.
Vas deferens is then located and a part of it is withdrawn to cut or block it. It is then sealed by tying, surgical clipping, cauterization, or other means and placed back in the original position.
Incision area is then closed and stitched or glued.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER GETTING DOEN WITH VASECTOMY?
It is a very least invasive procedure and doesn’t require much rest more than a day or two. However, a surgery is a surgery anyways and may lead to some discomfort, swelling and pain for few people.
In such case, ice pack application or wearing supportive underwear can help. If not feeling relief, visit your doctor.
Avoid sexual intercourse and strenuous activities at least for a week.
It doesn’t offer you immediate protection against pregnancy. One needs to ejaculate at least 15-20 times and get semen analysis done by your doctor after 8 weeks to rule out any remaining sperms after the procedure.
WILL I BE ABLE TO EJACULATE AFTER VASECTOMY?
Vasectomy doesn’t block off the entire seminal secretion. It only cuts off the route of sperms that are solely responsible for pregnancy.
DOES IT PROTECT YOU FROM STDs?
Vasectomy doesn’t offer any protection from sexually transmitted infections at all.
BUSTING MYTHS
- It doesn’t affect a man’s sexual performance.
- Does no harm to one’s sexual organs.
- The procedure isn’t linked to any type of cancer.
- It doesn’t affect any other organs function.