68 Channon Street
GYMPIE 4570
Phone: 07 5482 8422
Fax:
07 5482 2336
VASECTOMY – Sterilisation For Men
What is a vasectomy?
Vasectomy is the name given to the operation in Men
which will make them infertile by producing an artificial
but permanent block to sperm movement from the testicles.
Sperm are produced in both testicles and carried by a tube
(vas deferens) from each testicle to the penis (see figure).
To prevent passage of the sperm, the tubes (vasa) are tied
and cut or cuaterised, so that when the ejeculates (comes)
the semen is free of sperm.
How is a vasectomy done?
The operation, whicn is a very simple one, can be performed
In a doctor’s surgery under local anaesthetic or, if the patient wishes,
under a general anaesthetic . This necessitaites a one day atay in hospital. The operation takes
between 20 and 30 minutes. It is usually carrued out through a cut 1 to 2 cm in length in the midline
in the of the scrotum, but sometines two incisions are made, one on either side. The tubes are tied
and cut, and one end is often burried in the scrotal tissue in order to minimise the risk if the tube
ends joining up again. There is usually no need for stitches to close this wound.
How reliable is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy does not make a man sterile immediately. It takes about 12 to 14 ejeculations for the
sperm stored above the vasectomy site to be cleared from the system. Two months after the
surgery, in order to check that that a man is sterile, it is usual for him to have at least one sperm
count ( some surgeons like two counts, two weeks apart). This means obtaing a speci,en by
mastubation and within two hours taking it to a laboratory to have it examined under a microscope
for the presence of sperm. Failure of vasectomy due to rejoining of the tubes are rare, occuring
once in about 500 vasectomies, i.e. about 0.2% of men.
Does vasectomy affect sexual function?
Physically, a vasectomy makes no difference to sex drive and performance, and many men say their
sex life is improved because they mo longer have to worry about contraception. A man still
ejeculates, since semen is produced above the vasectomy site.
What happens to the sperm?
Sperm are still produced in the testicle after vasectomy but cannot pass the block. They live for
about 3 weeks, die and are reabsorbed. There is no build-up of pressure or sperm.
Are there any side effects of the operation?
Serious side effects are rare. Most men experience some discomfort, bruising and swelling around
the operation site for the first 24 hours after surgery. This is usually relieved by painkillers, i.e.
Aspirin, and wearing an athletic support or supportive underpants. Rarely, post-operative bleeding
or infection can occur.
Should any special precautions be taken following surgery?
Avoid strenuous exercise or lifting for about four to five days. Normal sexual relationships can be
resumed after three days if desired, but remember to use contraception until a negative sperm
count has been obtained.
Can sterilisation be reversed?
Sterilisation of either man or a woman can be reverses by microsurgery, but although the continuity
of the vas deferens or fallopian tube can be re-established, there is no guarantee of a successful
pregnancy following such surgery. The pregnancy rates following reversal vary from 50 to 70%. Any
couple contemplating sterilisation should regard it as a permanent form of contraception. If you are
considering sterilisation, you must be certain that you do not want to have any more children under
any circumstances. You should ask yourself what you would in the case of death or divorce of your
partner, how would you feel about not being able to have children with him or her? If one of your
children died, would you feel the need to have another?