Some people don’t want to have any more kids. Some don’t want to have kids at all.
For both of these groups, vasectomy or male sterilization is the way to go. Vasectomy is a quick and easy medical procedure where a man’s tubes that lead sperm to testicles are cut so that sperm cannot leave the man’s body.
This might seem scary, but the procedure itself is simple, fast, and effective with a short recovery period. Despite it all, it is better to learn what it is like and what to expect before heading out to a place like First Choice Vasectomy and having the procedure done.
Here are the things you should know about vasectomies.
When to have a vasectomy
You should choose vasectomy if you are sure that you and your significant other don’t want more – or any – children, or if your partner should not get pregnant for the sake of her health, or if one of you has a genetic condition that you don’t want to pass down to another generation.
Vasectomy shouldn’t be your pick if one or both of you is still uncertain if you might want to have (more) children. Because of this, many places offer you 30 days between scheduling a vasectomy and having one so that you get one more chance to change your mind.
Finally, even though the procedure is safe and effective, it is also potentially life-altering. Because of that, you should not choose vasectomy if all you are looking for is a temporary birth control option.
How effective is a vasectomy?
As a birth control method, vasectomy is highly effective. Its success rate is higher than 99 per cent.
One thing to know, though, is that vasectomy is not entirely effective right after the surgery. It takes around three months after the procedure for it to become completely effective. Before that time, some sperm might still be present in the ejaculated semen, leading to an unwanted pregnancy.
Because of that, it is recommended to use an additional form of birth control during those first three months after the surgery. Once that period is up, the man should have a sperm test to ensure no more sperm is in the semen.
Is a vasectomy reversible?
If you change your mind about having a vasectomy, the good news is that you can undo the procedure.
According to Mayo Clinic, after a reversed vasectomy, the odds of a man getting a partner pregnant range from 30 all the way up to 90 per cent.
However, the longer it has been since you’ve had the procedure done, the lower the chances that your reproductive capabilities will be as strong as they once were. In addition, your age and your partner’s age, along with any preexisting medical condition, make the entire situation even more complex.
Besides, reverse vasectomy comes with its own set of health risks and potential complications. Therefore, your best course of action would be to be sure that you want to have a vasectomy and you will not want to have it reversed.
What does the procedure look like?
A vasectomy is usually done with just a local anaesthetic. This means that an anaesthetic is applied directly to your scrotum and that you will be awake during the surgery.
If you are a bit worried about the whole ordeal, seek a place that offers a combination of sedatives for your mind and a local anesthetic for your private area – this combo is called conscious sedation or twilight anaesthesia.
No matter the type of sedation, the procedure is the same and lasts about twenty minutes to half an hour.
A surgeon will disconnect the tubes that lead sperm from the testicles, and you will be good to go after a short recovery period.
How long is the recovery process?
After having a vasectomy, you will be up and running in no time.
For most men, it takes two or three days before they can return to work. After one week, you can resume exercise and any strenuous form of physical activity. And, yes, that includes sex.
There might be some swelling in the scrotum area, but that will also be gone within a week, two weeks tops.
Does having a vasectomy impact your sex drive?
Having a vasectomy has no adverse effect on your sex drive or your sex life in general.
Less than ten percent of the ejaculate comes from testicles, so your ejaculation will still look and feel the same.
Also, you should not worry about a decrease in testosterone levels. After a vasectomy, the testosterone from sperm will simply get absorbed into your body instead of leaving via ejaculation.
If you experience any changes in your sex drive or function after the surgery, contact your physician.