The Urology Center Glossary terms

Vasectomy:

No-Scalpel Vasectomy: Simplified Method to Stress-Free Living

The vas deferens is the tube that delivers sperm from the testicle to the prostate. Vasectomy is the process of dividing the vas in order to prevent pregnancy. It is the most common method of male contraception in the US, where about 500,000 vasectomies are performed each year. Since vasectomy simply interrupts the delivery of sperm, it does not change the hormonal function of the testis. Sexual drive and ability remain intact. Since most of the semen is composed of fluid from the prostate, the semen will look the same even after vasectomy. Vasectomy is thought to be free of known long-term side effects and is considered to be the safest and most reliable method of permanent male sterilization.

... no-scalpel vasectomy was developed in 1974 and has been performed for millions of men.

The technique of no-scalpel vasectomy was developed in 1974 by a Chinese physician, Dr. Li Shungiang, and has been performed for millions of men. This technique has become very popular in the United States since it was introduced here about ten years ago. The procedure is performed in the office and or surgery center under a local anesthetic with additional sedation if desired. Most insurance companies pay for the procedure regardless of where it is performed.

How does the vasectomy prevent pregnancy? Sperm are made in the testicles and travel from the testicle through the vas tube into the prostate gland. Seminal fluid is made in the prostate and seminal vesicles. Sperm mix with seminal fluid within the prostate. The prostate is connected to the urine channel near the penis and hence the sperm and seminal fluid are expelled together during ejaculation. With vasectomy, the vas tube is completely cut and clipped or tied-off so that sperm are prevented from reaching the prostate to mix with the seminal fluid. Without sperm in the seminal fluid, a man cannot make his partner pregnant.

No-scalpel vasectomy is different from a conventional vasectomy ... no knife is used ... [and] an improved method of local anesthesia makes the procedure essentially painless.

No-scalpel vasectomy is different from a conventional vasectomy in that no knife is used. In order to gain access to the vas tube, a tiny puncture is made in the scrotum with a specialized instrument. An improved method of anesthesia makes the procedure essentially painless. The anesthetic is given in the form of a cream, which is placed on the scrotum 20-30 minutes prior to the procedure. The cream numbs and desensitizes the skin. The entire procedure lasts about 15-30 minutes, after which a scrotal support is applied and patients go home. Pain medications are supplied for possible discomfort, which may or may not occur at home. Most patients are able to do routine physical work within 48 hours and physical labor within one week. Of course, there are exceptions; for instance, some patients experience little if any discomfort and return to work the day following the procedure, while others occasionally experience more prolonged discomfort.

Vasectomy does not change anything sexually ... without the worry of pregnancy and bother of other birth control methods, intercourse is stress-free and more enjoyable than ever.

Vasectomy does not change anything sexually. The only thing that will change is that a patient will not be able to make his partner pregnant. Men continue to produce the same hormones that drive libido, penile erections are unchanged, and men produced the same amount of semen fluid. Vasectomy will not change beard, muscles, sex drive, erections, climax or voice. In fact, some say that without the worry of unintentional pregnancy and the bother of other birth control methods, intercourse is stress-free and more enjoyable than ever.

... safe and simple.

Vasectomy in general is safe and simple. But, as with all medical procedures, it involves minor risks, such as bleeding, infection and pain. Serious problems are very unusual; however, there is always a small chance of the tubes rejoining themselves, and for this reason semen analysis rechecks are necessary after the vasectomy. Questions have been raised about possible links between vasectomy and prostate cancer. However, authors of recent studies found no link to prostate cancer. The physicians at the Urology Center offer prostate cancer screening to all men both before and after vasectomy. Nonetheless, most younger men forgo screening until they are forty to fifty years of age.

As a rule, we suggest waiting one week before having intercourse. Remember, however, that the vasectomy only divides the vas and has no effect on the sperm that are already in the vas tube beyond the point at which it was divided. It is thus extremely important to avoid unprotected intercourse until the absence of sperm from the ejaculate has been confirmed by two consecutively negative semen analyses by the doctor.

(Please visit the Vasectomy Center of Excellence at this website for additional information.)