A vasectomy (vah-SEK-toe-mee) is a surgical form of birth control for
males. The procedure involves cutting and tying off the tubes that carry
sperm from the testes to the penis. This prevents sperm from being
released in the semen during ejaculation. A vasectomy can usually be
done in a doctor's office in about 30 minutes, under local anesthesia. A
small incision is made over the tubes on either side of the scrotum. The
tubes are then isolated and cut, and the ends are secured with clips or
plastic tubing. Afterward, there may be some pain and bruising, which is
usually treated with ice packs and oral medication. Wearing an athletic
supporter for the first few days may help relieve any feeling of
heaviness. Complications are rare, but sometimes, small lumps called
granulomas (gran-you-LOE-muhs) may form near the testicles. These
lumps usually go away on their own, though in a few cases, antibiotics or
surgical removal may be needed. A vasectomy doesn't affect a man's sexual
performance, and sex may be resumed as soon as discomfort subsides.
However, it can take up to six weeks for residual sperm to leave the
tubes, so a reliable form of birth control should be used after the
operation, until tests confirm that sperm are no longer present. For more information about vasectomies, contact a urologist.
