Vasectomy Vasectomy

Vasectomy

The vasectomy is a definitive form of male contraception.

  • Male Contraception
  • Duration:
    15 min
  • Sessions:
    1 round

NO SCALPEL VASECTOMY

A vasectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that results in male sterilization for permanent birth control.

No-scalpel vasectomy at our clinic is a simple, effective and a quick and virtually painless in-office procedure, an alternative to conventional vasectomy using a scalpel.

A vasectomy has traditionally required a scalpel to make two small incisions in the scrotum. However, since the 1980s, a no-scalpel vasectomy has become a popular option for many men in Quebec.

Many doctors favor the No-Scalpel method because – unlike the traditional vasectomy approach – a scalpel is not required and there are minimal incisions (only one or two small punctures in the skin). The no-scalpel method results in a reduced risk of bleeding or infection and a faster recovery while being just as effective as a conventional vasectomy. It can also be done more quickly than a conventional vasectomy and usually requires no sutures to close up incisions and there is minimal perceptible scaring.

With a conventional vasectomy procedure, a doctor would make two incisions, one on each side of the scrotum, perform the procedure, and then stitch up the incisions. The stitches would then have to be removed about a week later.

HOW IT WORKS

No-scalpel vasectomies at the Steinberg Urology clinic provide a safe, simple and virtually painless alternative, with faster recovery time and lower complication rates compared to conventional vasectomies.

The no-scalpel vasectomy is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient-basis.

  1. At the Steinberg Urology clinic, our doctors use the “No Scalpel Vasectomy” technique where the doctor locates the tubes under the skin and holds them in place with a small clamp.
  2. The doctor makes one or two tiny opening and grasps the tubes with specialized instruments. The same instrument is used to gently stretch the opening so the tubes can be reached.
  3. Through this tiny opening both tubes are temporarily exposed.
  4. The tubes are cut, tiny clip is placed on the upper end (leading to the penis) and upper end is cauterized, and tucked back into its sheath, while the other end (testicular) is left open. This refers to the Open-Ended vasectomy. This open lower end will serve as an outlet for the sperm to exit. This will minimize the accumulation of sperm in the lower end of the divided vas deferens, and reduce the level of post-vasectomy discomfort.
  5. After this the surgeon lets the tube go back to its original place.

HOW DOES VASECTOMY PREVENT PREGNANCY?

A vasectomy is a form of permanent male contraception that involves surgically cutting or blocking the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis.

Sperm is needed to fertilize a woman’s egg. By cutting the tubes, a vasectomy prevents the sperm from reaching the semen.

After the procedure, a man normally ejaculate, but there will be no sperm.

A vasectomy is a permanent way to prevent pregnancy. It is estimated to be over 99 percent effective. Fewer than 1 in every 100 become pregnant in the first year after her partner has a vasectomy.

A vasectomy is possible at any age.

HOW DOES A VASECTOMY AFFECT EJACULATION?

Sperm are made in a man’s testes. During sexual climax, the sperm travels through two tubes (the right vas and left vas) in the scrotum, mix with semen (from the prostate and seminal vesicles), and come out of the penis. In a vasectomy, these tubes are cut and blocked so the sperm cannot reach the semen. As a result, you will ejaculate semen without sperm.

Also keep in mind that the sperm makes up a minute portion of the ejaculate, approximately 1% of the volume. Therefore, you will not notice any change in the ejaculation post-vasectomy. Your sexual experience, erections, performance, ejaculations are essentially unchanged.

To understand what happens during a No-Scalpel Vasectomy procedure, review this diagram to see how the male anatomy normally functions. The testicles produce sperm that travel through a pair of tubes called the Vasa Deferens. You can easily feel them through the scrotal skin, like firm spaghetti-sized tubes on either side of the penis. These tubes carry sperm from the testicles out through the penis when a man ejaculates.

The vasectomy procedure simply interrupts the flow of sperm by cutting the sperm tubes and blocking their ends. Before making the decision to have your vasectomy, please review the preparations, procedure, and recovery to see what you can expect from Dr. Steinberg and your vasectomy from start to finish. We want you to make a careful and well-informed choice. A vasectomy should be considered a permanent contraception.

before after

Benefits

The benefits are many and are available to the man and woman.

  • The vasectomy offers men the control over their reproduction, and alleviates the dependence on their partner’s compliance to their own birth control methods.
  • The vasectomy offers women the benefit of avoiding the risks of pregnancy and childbirth, the possibility of stopping hormonal birth control, and avoiding tubal ligation (female sterilization).
  • These benefits are easily achievable in a simple and safe 15-minute procedure under local anaesthesia.

Advantages of no-scalpel vasectomy:

  • The procedure is faster
  • The recovery time is shorter
  • No stitches are usually necessary
  • There is less pain and less swelling
  • There are less complications

Vasectomy is the most effective form of birth control. The vasectomy has a extremely low failure rate of 0.03% (in some studies). Birth control pills have a failure rate of 5%, and tubal ligation failures (although rare) can lead to increased risk of dangerous complications. The failure rate of condoms is 15%, but they do have benefits of preventing STD’s. Note that vasectomies don’t prevent STD’s.

Risks

Vasectomy is a very safe and low risk procedure. As with any surgery however, some complications may occur:

  • Mild bruising is the most common reaction and usually subsides within the first week.
  • Sperm granuloma, which is a small bump on the vas as a result of the natural sealing of the canal, is another expected outcome. This tiny lump will subside over time and should be undetectable within a year of the procedure.
  • Other rare complications include infection (very rare and can be treated with antibiotics), and bleeding into the scrotum causing a collection of blood (scrotal hematoma).
  • 5% of men may experience pain as a result of inflammation several weeks after the procedure, which usually only lasts a few days and can be resolved with oral anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil or Motrin.
  • Chronic pain in the testicle, known as post-vasectomy pain syndrome, is extremely rare and occurs in 1 in 1,000 vasectomies.

PROCEDURE INFO

Wear very supportive underwear. Please do not wear boxer shorts, as they do not provide the necessary support.

Wear comfortable clothing. We also recommend that you wear a T-shirt because the room in which we do the procedure is warm and anything heavier may be uncomfortable for you. The heat of the room relaxes the scrotum and makes the procedure easier to perform.

Eat a good breakfast. You will feel more comfortable during the procedure. Minimize coffee, but have one if skipping it causes you material stress. Plan to arrive a little earlier for your appointment.

Before the vasectomy, you will not need any sedatives. No-Scalpel Vasectomy is virtually painless. The discomfort is less with the no-scalpel technique because there is minimal injury to the tissues.

Hygiene Care
  1. Shower the next day, after having removed the bandage.
  2. After the shower, cover the wound with a Band-Aid, and change it daily.
  3. When the wound is healed, remove the Band-Aid, and leave it exposed.
  4. It is not necessary to disinfect or apply antibiotic ointment.
  5. Bathing is permitted 48 hours later, or when the wound is healed.
Intimacy
  1. Sexual activities (including masturbation) can be restarted 7 days after the surgery.
  2. The first few ejaculations may have traces of blood, usually brown colored. Do not worry, as this is normal. However, if the problem persists, contact your doctor.
  3. As long as sterility is not confirmed (see “Spermogram” below), consider yourself fertile and use alternative contraceptive methods.
Icing the area
  1. For the first 24 hours, place a bag of ice on the scrotum over your underwear for 15-20 minutes every hour. You are not required to ice scrotum when sleeping. Never put ice directly on your skin.
Analgesics
  1. If you experience pain, use an analgesic such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®; Atasol®).
  2. Aspirin and other anti-inflammatories (Ex: Advil®; Motrin®) should be avoided the first two days following the surgery.
  3. On day number 3 after the surgery, take Advil 400mg (if not allergic) every 6 hours for the next 2 days for anti-inflammatory effects even if no pain or discomfort.
  4. The discomfort and pain, if any, should subside after 5 or 7 days. If it persists or increases, contact your doctor.
Physical effort
  • Avoid any important physical activity for the first 7 days following your operation (ex: lifting weights (including your own children), going to the gym, jogging, sexual activity etc).

On average, the whole procedure takes less than 15 minutes, with some variation depending on your anatomy. It is a simple procedure that can be performed in our procedure rooms in our Montreal clinic.

After the procedure you will likely be sore for a couple of days and could take a mild painkiller over the counter.

You should not do any heavy physical labour for seven days after your vasectomy. If your job does not involve this kind of work, you can go back sooner. Many men have their vasectomy on Friday, so they can take it easy over the weekend and go back to work on Monday.

No-scalpel vasectomy is associated with few and infrequent complications, although with any surgical procedure there are occasional problems. Even though complications are rare, do not hesitate to consult with our Montreal clinic if you have any questions. Remember, early treatment (if any is needed) is always best. Our team is there for you before and after your procedure.

After a vasectomy, there are always some active sperm in your system. It usually takes up to 3-4 months. You and your partner should use some other form of birth control until a semen test confirms that your semen is sperm free. You will be given semen test instructions after your vasectomy procedure.

FAQ

Is there any discomfort during the procedure?

Before the vasectomy, you will not need any sedatives. No-Scalpel No-Needle Vasectomy is virtually painless. Afterwards you will likely be sore for a couple of days and should take a mild painkiller. The discomfort is less with the no-scalpel technique because there is minimal injury to the tissues.

How soon after my vasectomy can I go back to work?

You should not do any heavy physical labour for seven days after your vasectomy. If your job does not involve this kind of work, you can go back sooner. Many men have their vasectomy on Friday, so they can take it easy over the weekend and go back to work on Monday.

Will the vasectomy change me sexually?

The only thing that will change is that you will not be able to make your partner pregnant. Your body will continue to produce the hormones that make you a man. You will have the same amount of semen. Vasectomy won’t change your voice, beard, your muscles, your sex drive, your erections, or your climaxes. Some men say that without the worry of accidental pregnancy and the bother of other birth control methods, sex is more relaxed and enjoyable than before.

Does No-Scalpel Vasectomy work?

NSV is extremely effective. In fact, the success rate of vasectomy in our affiliated clinics has been better than 99.9%, which is amongst the highest in the world. Our Montreal private vasectomy clinic offers a premium service and a good potential success rate.

Will I be sterile right away?

No, after a vasectomy, there are always some active sperm in your system. It usually takes 2-3 months plus 20 ejaculations to clear them. You and your partner should use some other form of birth control until a semen test confirms that your semen is sperm free. You will be given semen test instructions after your vasectomy procedure.

Is No-Scalpel Vasectomy safe?

Most medical experts, including special panels convened by the National Institutes of Health and by the World Health Organization, have concluded that vasectomy is a safe and simple procedure. Vasectomy is surgery, and all surgery has some risks, such as bleeding and infection. But serious problems are uncommon at our Quebec vasectomy clinic in Montreal.

Can a No-Scalpel Vasectomy be reversed?

Yes, but reversal operations are expensive and not always successful. If you are thinking about reversal, perhaps vasectomy is not right for you. Pre-vasectomy sperm banking (cryopreservation) is a good idea for almost anyone considering a vasectomy.

How much does a vasectomy cost in Quebec?

The pricing for a vasectomy in Quebec depends mainly on whether you have your procedure in the public system or at our private vasectomy clinic – where fees are not covered by RAMQ. Many Quebec men choose Steinberg Urology for vasectomy because they prefer a premium service with no wait time.

When can I start having sex again?

As soon as you are comfortable, after a minimum of seven days, but remember to use some other kind of birth control until your semen analysis confirms you are sterile. Please expect to continue with your existing method of contraception for three months after your vasectomy.

How long will a no-scalpel vasectomy take?

On average, the whole procedure takes less than 15 minutes. It is a simple procedure that can be performed in our procedure rooms in our Montreal vasectomy clinic. After your procedure, we recommend that you have someone to drive you home, or that you extend your stay at our clinic to be sure that you are fully recovered before driving yourself home.

What are some potential benefits of open-ended vasectomy?

In an open-ended vasectomy, once the vas tube is cut, the end from the testicle is left open (i.e. not cauterized), while the end of the tube leading to the penis is closed. Studies have suggested that this could be the ideal way to block the vas end. There may be less post-operative discomfort because there is no sudden pressure back-up to the testicles.

Where do the sperm go after vasectomy?

Your vasectomy procedure will prevent your sperm from getting into your semen, but they will continue to be produced by your testicles. The sperm will be reabsorbed into your body, the same as happens now if you don’t ejaculate regularly. There is no reason to be concerned about the disposition of your sperm after your vasectomy surgery.

Will I still be able to ejaculate after vasectomy?

Yes, semen is made in the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland. These are not affected by a vasectomy. Sperm make up only 2 to 5 per cent of the ejaculate so you will not be able to notice any difference in the volume of your ejaculate.

Will my levels of testosterone fall after my vasectomy?

There is no evidence that vasectomy decreases testosterone levels or sex drive.

Will my vasectomy be 100 per cent successful in preventing pregnancy?

More than 99 per cent of vasectomies are effective at preventing pregnancy. Very rarely, the 2 cut ends of the vas deferens can join together and form an open channel for sperm again — usually in the first few months after the operation.

Am I at greater risk of prostate cancer after having a vasectomy?

There is currently no consistent evidence from clinical trials that shows an association between prostate cancer and vasectomy.

The images and/or videos are not presented as a guarantee of result. The results may vary. Patients gave their consent for the publication of images and/or videos.

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