subject: Preparing For A Vasectomy [print this page] Sometimes, your insurance company will pay for the vasectomy, if birth control is listed on the benefits plan. A vasectomy is typically performed in a doctor's office, possibly making it more affordable.
The vasectomy surgery is supposed to prevent sperm from exiting the body. This is supposedly done by severing or blocking the duct through which sperm travels from the testes and out of the body.
While the surgery is supposed to be effective at preventing pregnancy, it may not alter the ability to have an erection. This procedure may be permanent, so the decision to have the surgery should not be made lightly.
Many people assume that the procedure will mean life-long sterility. While there is a procedure to reverse a vasectomy, the success of that procedure is not guaranteed.
A vasectomy reversal may also be very expensive, and your insurance may not cover the costs of the procedure. A successful vasectomy is supposed to prevent pregnancy; however, it is not known to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted disease.
The procedure should start with the administration of local anesthesia, to numb the genitals. This should allow the patient to remain awake and alert during the procedure, but unable to feel the surgery.
In some cases, a new needleless injection technology is used to administer the anesthetic in this sensitive area. Your doctor may or may not have this new system available for use during surgery.
Once the genital area is numbed, the area should be shaved and the skin prepared with a solution that kills bacteria on the surface of the skin. Once the solution dries, the surgery may begin with one or two incisions on the underside of the scrotum.
The cord that carries sperm may then be located and is either cut and tied off or cut and cauterized. The incision could then be closed with sutures, which can be removed at the surgeon's office, possibly in a week to ten days.
After the procedure, bruising and soreness may occur. Sometimes that can be controlled with mild pain medication and a cold compress as necessary.
Many men say they take a day or two off of work and are probably able to return to normal activity within a week. Wearing an athletic supporter or snug underwear during the first few days of recovery can probably help prevent movement of the scrotum to help minimize pain.
An ice pack may help ease the swelling, but be sure to avoid placing it directly against the skin. You can wrap the ice in a towel or a pillowcase before placing it against the skin to prevent a possible "burning" of the skin.
Elevating the scrotum may also help with any soreness. Elevating the area may also help reduce swelling.
The stitches could be removed in the doctor's office 7 to 10 days after the procedure. Birth control may be necessary until testing confirms that the surgery was successful and pregnancy is not possible.
To do this, a semen sample will probably be tested for sperm. This is most likely done to make sure the procedure was effective and that no sperm is present.
In some cases, it may take longer than 8 weeks for the semen to have no sperm in it. In many circumstances, the container for the semen is sent home so the sample can be collected in the privacy of the home.
The sample may then be taken to the lab for testing within one hour of collection. It is probably important to know the hours of the lab or doctor's office, so it will be open and able to accept the sample for testing immediately.
When collecting a semen sample, it is probably important that the semen not come in contact with spermacide, as this type of birth control may kill sperm. It is often present in condoms and other types of contraceptives.
Once the sample is taken to the lab, it will probably be studied under a microscope. When the sample is completely free of sperm, the surgery may be considered effective and birth control is probably no longer needed to prevent pregnancy.
Sometimes, pregnancy can result after a vasectomy and a semen sample that is negative for sperm. This is probably not likely to happen when the surgeon uses a procedure that cauterizes the cut ends of the vas deferens.
Cauterization could leave scar tissue that makes it much more difficult to form this type of self-repair. This type of cauterization could be done with both the traditional and no scalpel (NSV) approach.
