Vasectomy Facts

Will I feel any pain during or after the vasectomy?

A slight momentary pinch is felt when the local anesthesia is given. The numbness is almost instant. Some men will feel mild pressure or tugging during the procedure. In the rare case that you feel more than that, Dr. Buch can simply inject additional local anesthetic with instant relief. The local slowly wears off after 4 hours. This allows plenty of time for you to get home, take some Tylenol® and apply the ice pack that you will need intermittently over the next 24-48 hours.

How long do the procedures take, and can I drive myself?

The procedure usually takes 20 minutes, but we block out a 30 minute time slot. Yes, you may drive yourself to and from the procedure as most of our patients do.

Will I be sterile immediately after the vasectomy?

No. It takes several ejaculations once you resume sex (one week after the procedure) to clear sperm from the ducts beyond the point of interruption. You can only discontinue your previous method of birth control after our office has tested your semen to verify that you have no sperm. Your first semen check is typically 3 months after your procedure, and we require two negative semen checks to confirm that you are sterile.

Will vasectomy affect my sexual function?

Vasectomy only interrupts the sperm flow from your testicles. The nerves to erection and ejaculation are not involved, and the fluid volume of ejaculation remains the same. The testicles continue to produce sperm and Testosterone (the major male sex hormone). The sperm behind the vasectomy are reabsorbed locally in the epididymis ducts, and your sex drive, which is based on your testosterone level, will remain the same.

Are there any side effects or complications?

Although vasectomy is a low risk procedure, some complications such as delayed bleeding (hematoma), infection or failure of sterilization may occur. The estimated incidence of a post vasectomy hematoma is 1%. This risk is minimized by discontinuation of blood thinning medication at least one week prior to your procedure, and by decreased activity plus scrotal ice packs for the first 24-48 hours. Minor infections occur in 1 of 100 cases, and they are easily treated with antibiotics and wound care measures. Sterilization failure occurs in only 1 of 1,000 cases. This should be diagnosed by routine semen tests to verify sterilization after your procedure. Lastly, you may develop a small area of firmness at the sealed end of the testicle side of the vasectomy. This firm area is called a sperm granuloma because it is a reaction to a small amount of sperm leaking from the sealed end of the vas. This is a self limiting process, but it may require further medication treatment by the doctor if you are the rare person who has discomfort from the granuloma.

Are there any long term health problems due to vasectomy?

Rare reports in the medical journals have suggested possible links between vasectomy and heart disease or prostate cancer. However, follow up studies to each of these reports have NOT shown a relationship between vasectomy and any other long term health risks. In fact, one study shows that men who have had a vasectomy tend to live longer than men who have not had a vasectomy!

Can I freeze my sperm prior to vasectomy?

Yes. In fact, Dr. Buch is the director for a full service certified sperm testing laboratory, the North Texas Male Infertility Center (NTMIC), and we offer that service on-site. Please call ahead for details and current costs.

Is my vasectomy reversible?

Traditionally, a vasectomy has been considered a permanent form of birth control. However, Dr. Buch is one of the leading vasectomy reversal specialists in the United States. As a specialist in Male Fertility, Vasectomy and Microsurgical Vasectomy Reversal since 1985, Dr. Buch has a long list of successful reversal cases. We hope that your circumstance does not change, but if it should, please call us. Dr. Buch performs more reversals than any other doctor in DFW, and he is the only one in the metroplex to offer a Money Back Guarantee for vasectomy reversal.

Is one type of vasectomy more reversible than another?

Dr. Buch feels that the open ended vasectomy is a more reversible vasectomy based on his experience and that of other doctors. There are specifics about this procedure that are best discussed in person.

Micro Surgery for Vasectomy Reversals by Dr. Jeffrey Buch

Related Articles