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You already likely know a vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control for men. It’s a surgical procedure that stops sperm from leaving the body by closing the ends of the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm. It’s important to note that while a vasectomy is a good form of birth control, it doesn’t prevent sexually transmitted diseases from spreading. Let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of getting a vasectomy.
How does a vasectomy work?
The role of a vasectomy is to stop sperm from entering the semen. This is accomplished by cutting the tubes, known as the vas deferens, which carry the semen, and sealing the ends. This is considered a simple procedure that can be done as an outpatient surgery. A man who chooses not to father children may have a vasectomy as a permanent form of birth control. Couples who don’t wish to have children or further expand their families may also choose to go this route.
A vasectomy is considered a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. However, it is not 100% guaranteed. It is still possible for the sperm to cross over the separated ends of the vas deferens. This happens in a small number of people — only about 1 in 10,000 cases.
Vasectomy procedure and recovery
Vasectomies are usually done as outpatient surgery and have a very low risk of complications or side effects. The procedure is usually done at a doctor’s office or a surgery center and requires only local anesthesia; numbing medication will be applied to the surgery area.
The recovery period is a few days, with the first 24 to 48 hours requiring rest. The next few days should only involve light activities. “It is highly recommended that men basically do nothing for the first 48 hours following surgery,” registered nurse Alaina Ross told Mom.com. Though minor, this is still a surgical procedure that requires healing.
Men should avoid sports, heavy lifting, and heavy work for three to seven days. Your doctor will let you know when you can get back to normal activity. If you return to heavy straining too soon, you could experience pain and bleeding in the scrotum. “Sexual activity should also be avoided for seven to 19 days,” Ross continued.
Ross explained that many men will want to return to work immediately. For some, this is impossible to prevent, but a better solution is to set up a workstation at home and work remotely for a few days. This will allow for a more relaxed workday and gives the patient the opportunity to lie down if the pain increases or they feel the need to rest.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some common side effects that can happen immediately after surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Blood clot in the scrotum
- Blood in your semen
- Bruising of the scrotum
- Infection
- Mild pain
- Swelling
Some side effects that can come later include chronic pain, fluid collecting in the testicle, inflammation, a cyst in the testicle, the formation of a fluid-filled sac around the testicle, and as mentioned above — pregnancy in your sex partner.
There are some horror stories about recovery that can make some fearful of the procedure. ”I have heard about men having to deal with immense pain after surgery. Some even say that their sex life has been affected,” Sarah Joseph, a mother of two, told Mom.com. “My husband was worried that a vasectomy would affect our sex life. From experience, it is not as bad as it sounds.” Her husband was out of surgery in an hour and back to normal in a few days.
Is it possible to reverse a vasectomy?
A reverse vasectomy is a procedure designed to undo the effects of a vasectomy. In the reverse vasectomy, the vas deferens are reconnected and any blockage points are cleared. This is an outpatient procedure that takes about three to four hours.
According to Standford Medicine, there are two ways the reverse vasectomy is accomplished. The first procedure is a vasovasostomy, which reattaches the ends of the vas deferens. The ends are stitched together so the tube will once again allow sperm to get to the semen. The other procedure is called a vasoepididymostomy. This procedure identifies any other blocks and builds a bypass to them to reconnect the vas deferens to the unblocked epidyimis.
A vasectomy reversal is not 100% effective. Where the vasectomy is 99.9999% effective in stopping pregnancy, the reversal is only 90-95% effective in restoring sperm flow. The vasovasostomy is more effective than the vasoepididymostomy, which is only up to 70% effective.
The recovery for a vasectomy reversal is similar to that of the vasectomy. Men are advised to rest for a couple of days and to avoid strenuous activity for a few days to a week. Pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication, and ice packs are recommended to help reduce swelling.
*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
