Vasectomies

Vasectomy is a male surgical procedure for permanent contraception. It involves cutting, tying, or sealing the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. After the procedure, semen generally lacks sperm, making pregnancy highly unlikely. It is usually chosen by adults who have decided not to have biological children, and it is intended to be permanent, though reversals are sometimes possible.

Most vasectomies are performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The traditional method uses small incisions in the scrotum to access the vas deferens; a no-scalpel vasectomy uses a puncture and does not require large incisions. Both methods interrupt the flow of sperm by occluding the tubes.

Sterility is not immediate. Sperm may remain in the reproductive tract for weeks or months, so another form of contraception is typically needed until semen analysis confirms azoospermia or very low sperm counts.

The procedure is highly effective, with failure rates generally under 1%.

Recovery is usually straightforward. Common aftercare includes pain control, scrotal support, ice, and avoidance of heavy lifting for a few days. Most people can resume ordinary activities within a few days, and sexual function and orgasm are typically unchanged; ejaculation simply contains no sperm.

Possible complications include bleeding, infection, and chronic scrotal pain (post-vasectomy pain syndrome); rare failures due to recanalization can occur. Reversal, when desired, is a complex microsurgical procedure with variable success. Alternatives to vasectomy include condoms or other birth control methods, and, for some, adoption.