What is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a common form of male birth control or contraception. It is an office-based (outpatient) procedure that refers to the division, obstruction or partial removal of a segment of the vas deferens (a small tube which connects the testes to the urethra as it passes through the prostate gland) to prevent transmission of sperm from the testicles to the urethra where they mix with semen during ejaculation. The sperm are then trapped within the epididymis where they remain until being reabsorbed back into the body.

The testicles also produce testosterone, a male hormone, which is excreted into the bloodstream. Vasectomy does NOT affect testosterone production, responsible for several mood-influencing factors and libido. Therefore, male characteristics and sexual function do not change. The sperm only represent about 1% of the semen volume and are invisible, therefore there will be no perceptible difference in the appearance or volume of the semen after vasectomy. With over 20 urologist office locations in Kansas and Missouri, KCUC proudly offers safe, efficient vasectomy procedures across the greater Kansas City area and surrounds.

Preparing For Your Vasectomy

Choose a procedure date that will allow you to rest for 48 hours after the vasectomy to avoid pain and potential bleeding after the procedure. Most patients will choose to have their vasectomy on a Thursday or a Friday which allows them two days at home to recuperate before return to work on Monday.

Prior to vasectomy, an office appointment is preferred so that the procedure may be explained in detail. You will be given a packet containing a consent form and a valium prescription for a small dose to be taken the morning of the procedure.  You may be asked to view a pre-operative video and instructed to perform a limited shave of the genital hair around the vasectomy site. Most patients find this is most easily accomplished by using a disposable razor during a hot shower.

On the day of the vasectomy, you may eat and drink normally. You may take your normal medications and supplements. We would ask, however, that you refrain from using any blood thinners for 7 days prior to your vasectomy. Typical blood thinners contain aspirin products, ibuprofen, naproxen, vitamin E, fish oil, as well as more specific drugs that are utilized for specific cardiac and vascular diseases There will be a more complete list of blood thinners in your vasectomy packet.

Understanding Vasectomy Procedures

On the day of the procedure, we ask you to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the procedure. The procedure takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Once in the procedure room, you will be asked to undress from the waist down, cover up with a sheet, and lie down on a procedure table. Once you are positioned on the table, a small amount of cleansing solution will be used to prepare the skin in the upper scrotal and genital region.

During a vasectomy, the vas deferens on each side of the scrotal sac is disconnected thus interrupting the flow of sperm from the testicles to the urinary tract. This is usually accomplished by placing a small amount of numbing medicine into the skin overlying the tube on each side. Most men report that this feels like a small pinch which lasts 1-2 seconds. Once this medicine is in place, there is very little pain for the remainder of the vasectomy. After the skin is numb, your doctor will make a small incision in the skin overlying the tube and then identify the tube underneath. Once isolated, the tube is disconnected (and often clipped, cauterized or tied) to complete the vasectomy. These steps then are repeated on the opposite side to complete the procedure.

At the conclusion, a small stitch is usually placed to close the skin incisions. Typically, this stitch will dissolve over a period of one to 3 weeks, and thus a routine follow-up for stitch removal is rarely needed. Your doctor will verify if a follow up appointment is required.

After the procedure, you can dress and then travel home. We suggest bringing with you a supportive pair of underwear available to use immediately after the procedure and for at least one week following the vasectomy. Most men prefer tighter-fitting boxer briefs or compression shorts.

Post-Procedure Vasectomy Care

You are at greatest risk for complication from your vasectomy in the first 48 hours after the procedure. During this time period, the body will undergo the initial phases of healing. This is when inflammation is most prominent. Minimizing inflammation through the following techniques will thus minimize your pain and risk of complications following your procedure.

Vasectomy Care: First 48 Hours

  • After returning home, please avoid prolonged standing. You don’t need strict bedrest, but minimizing standing time reduces swelling in the scrotal and testicular region. Lying down or reclining is preferred.
  • After your vasectomy, you can shower in the morning, but spend most of the day lying down with ice packs on your scrotum.
  • For the first 48 hours, apply an ice pack to the region to reduce inflammation and swelling. You can use it continuously outside supportive underwear or take 10-minute breaks to keep the tissue cool.
  • You can resume most non-strenuous activities after the third day of vasectomy. Some men may feel discomfort when standing for long periods or doing moderate to strenuous activities in the first week. This is normal and usually goes away with rest, supportive underwear, and ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicine.
  • You may resume sexual function and more strenuous activity like jogging, climbing and weight-lifting one week after your vasectomy.

Temporary Fertility After Your Vasectomy

Patients are still fertile and pregnancy can be achieved until all sperm exit the reproductive and urinary tracts. This may take several weeks and you will be asked to bring back two semen specimens 8-16 weeks after the vasectomy procedure. Until that time, other means of contraception are necessary.

Vasectomy Treatment FAQs

Is a vasectomy procedure permanent?

Yes. There is less than 1/2000 chance that the vas deferens can spontaneously reconnect once semen has been checked and negative for sperm on 2 semen analysis.

Are there long-term risks of a vasectomy?

No. Long-term health problems have not been confirmed. There have been a few articles suggesting prostate cancer incidence may be higher, but this data has not been verified by appropriate comparative and/or follow-up studies.

What are the short-term risks of a vasectomy?

There is a 1%-2% risk of bleeding or infection and about a 3% risk of pain, more than just mild local discomfort for a week or so after the procedure.

Can a vasectomy be reversed?

Yes! The vas deferens can be reattached with microsurgical techniques. The sooner reversal is done after vasectomy the better the results are, and overall pregnancy rates are about 60%.

Schedule an appointment with the urology experts at KCUC today and choose the location most convenient for you!