Index
- What is it?
- Why is it performed?
- What does it consist of?
- Preparation
- Care after the procedure
- Alternatives to this treatment
What is vasectomy?
Vasectomy is the total or partial removal of a man’s vas deferens, which are the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles. What it does is to block the sperm canal and, therefore, prevent the sperm from leaving the testicles. The sperm is absorbed by the body instead of being ejaculated. The semen then has no sperm, so pregnancy cannot occur. In most cases local anesthesia is used.
There are two types of vasectomy:
- Vasectomy with scalpel.
- No-scalpel vasectomy
Why is it performed?
It is an effective method of birth control, since it prevents the woman from becoming pregnant. However, in the short term it is not recommended to have sex without taking other precautions, since there are still sperm stored for a period of time. This period is usually about three months. To know when there are no more sperm in the ejaculate, a very simple test can be performed by analyzing the semen.
Vasectomy is an effective method of birth control,
since it prevents a woman from becoming pregnant.
What does it consist of?
It is a simple outpatient surgical procedure. The specialist closes or blocks the tubes that carry sperm. When these ducts are closed, the sperm does not come out during ejaculation and, therefore, pregnancy does not occur.
Preparation for vasectomy
Two weeks before the vasectomy, the patient should discuss with the specialist the medications (prescription or over-the-counter) he is taking. It will probably be necessary to reduce the intake of some of them. On the day of surgery it is important to wear loose, comfortable clothing and to clean the scrotal area well. You should also take the medications prescribed by your doctor and wear a scrotal jockstrap to the surgery.
Care after surgery
Recovery takes less than a week. It is important to avoid physical work or exercise during this first week. As with any surgery, there is some discomfort after the operation. After vasectomy, the man can still have orgasms or ejaculate semen.
Alternatives to this treatment
Until now the only male option for permanent birth control was vasectomy, but for the past few years numerous studies have been done to approve hydrogel injectable into the sperm duct as an alternative to vasectomy. Named Vasalgel, it is a gelatinous substance that, once introduced with a syringe into the vas deferens of the male reproductive tract, blocks the passage of spermatozoa. Unlike vasectomy, which involves cutting the vas deferens, this new method does not require surgery.