WHAT IS A VASECTOMY?

Each year, millions of men in the world who want to practice reliable birth control without placing the burden on their female partners undergo this relatively simple surgical procedure know as the "Vasectomy". Sperm is created in the testicles. The sperm travels through this tube called the vas deferens. The sperm mix with other fluids and are carried to the penis and outside the body where they can reach the egg and lead to a pregnancy. Vasectomy is an operation, which blocks the tubes that carry the sperm. As a result, when the man ejaculates, no sperm is in the semen.

The procedure for No-Scalpel Vasectomy will only take 20 minutes to complete. Keep in mind that this is to be considered permanent. However about 5% of men who have the procedure decide to have it reversed. The technical name for a vasectomy reversal is a "Vasovasostomy". The steps involved are simply reconnecting the previously cut ends of the vas deferens to rebuild an open vas channel.

We have listed a few advantages and disadvantages of the Vasectomy below:

Advantages:

• A vasectomy is a minor operation. It is safe, effective, and permanent.
• It is an excellent form of contraception for men in stable relationships that do not wish to have any more children.
• It is a cost-effective form and involves fewer complications than tubule ligation.
• You can test your semen at any time to see if your operation is "still working." If your semen has no sperm, your vasectomy is working!
• A vasectomy gives the man the opportunity to play a responsible role in the contraceptive process.
• It does not have any holdbacks on a man's ability to enjoy sexual intercourse.

Disadvantages:

• A vasectomy requires surgery. Most men are not comfortable of having an operation on their testicles.
• Men fear that the operation will affect or inhibit their ability to have intercourse or will interfere with erection.
• A vasectomy may involve some pain or discomfort and scrotal discoloring (usually not severe) for several days after the operation. Pain usually is relieved with mild pain medications. An ice pack must be kept on the scrotum for at least 4 hours after surgery to reduce the chances of swelling, bleeding and discomfort. Scrotal support must be worn for 2 days after the operation (jockey shorts are adequate).
• The operation is not effective immediately. You will need to use condoms until the sperm clears from your tubes (15-20 ejaculations).
• Regret after vasectomy is greater if the man's partner is under 25, he divorces or remarries, a child dies, or when vasectomy is done immediately after having a new baby.
• The operation to reverse a vasectomy does not always work. It is highly technical, expensive, and its results cannot be guaranteed.
• A vasectomy offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections including HIV (the AIDS virus).