Pre-Vasectomy Instructions

The most serious part of a vasectomy is making the decision whether to proceed with the operation or not.  This should be done with great care and consideration in consultation with your family doctor.  If you are doubtful about your decision, then it is better to postpone.

How it works: Sperm are made in a man's testes.  The tubes that carry sperm from testes to penis are divided. One end only, the “abdominal end” is lightly cauterised while the other end, the “testicular end” is tucked back into the fascial covering of the vas and is kept there by using a tiny titanium clip. In this way the two ends of the divided vas end up in separate anatomical compartments and this makes the spontaneous rejoining of the vas after surgery extremely unlikely though it still can happen. Otherwise the testicular end of the cut vas remains open to reduce the incidence of long-term post-vasectomy discomfort.
 A man still produces semen, but, after 16 weeks or so, there will be no sperm in it.  His sexual partner cannot get pregnant.  Vasectomies are not castration. The man is able to have sex just as he did before.  He looks and feels the very same.

* While the tiny titanium clips stay in the body forever they do not interfere with for example airport security equipment or subsequent MRI scans.

Effectiveness: A vasectomy is one of the most effective methods of contraception. It is more effective than the pill, IUDs or injectbles. However, it is very important to have two consecutive negative sperm counts carried out following the operation at 16 and 18 weeks. This ensures that your system has cleared and that there has been no rejoining up of the vas.  About one in five hundred rejoin but this usually happens before 16 weeks and should show up in the sperm count tests.

Advantages.

• Very effective.
• A very safe procedure.
• A couple should never worry about contraception again.
• No long term side effects according to a very large Danish study.
• Does not interrupt sex

Disadvantages.

• Discomfort during and shortly after the procedure.
• Slight chance of lumps, blood clots or infection soon after the procedure.  These can be treated by the family doctor.
• Not effective right away.  Another family planning method must be used for eighteen weeks after the procedure and until all sperm have been expelled.
• Difficult to reverse.  Should be looked on as a permanent method.

Coming for Vasectomy.
(1) If you can, arrange it so as you do not have to do any work or walking about immediately after the operation.  The following day you should be able to work normally although obviously use common sense and, if anything is hurting you, then you should not continue to do it.
(2) Have a shower and clip any long hairs on the scrotum immediately prior to coming for the operation.
(3) Wear new or good firm stretch underpants coming for the operation.  If you wish, bring a friend to drive you home thought this is not, of course, essential.
(4) For those who are particularly nervous, your doctor might like to prescribe a short-acting sedative or sleeping pill one hour pre-op.  In this case, of course, someone to drive you home is essential.
(5) PLEASE DO NOT WEAR BOXER SHORTS.

The procedure takes about 6 minutes to complete.  There should be little or no pain but rather mild discomfort during the operation, a sense of mild squeezing or pulling.  Local anaesthetic only is used and this is gently infused through the scrotum and around the vas itself using an ultra-fine 26 gauge needle.  For those particularly sensitive to pain, having the procedure under general anaesthetic at Clane General Hospital can be arranged through this office.

Two tiny incisions are made, one in each side through which the vas is identified, divided and cauterised.  No part of the vas is actually removed.   The incisions heal up by themselves, there are no stiches either inside or outside.
Download this consent form, sign it and bring it with you on the day of your appointment

- Click here for the CONSENT FORM -