If you’re sure you don’t want to father children, a vasectomy is the most effective type of birth control, even a little better at preventing pregnancy than a tubal ligation in women. At Urology Specialists of Cypress, James Stocks, MD, has extensive experience performing vasectomies in the privacy of his office in Cypress, Texas. Call the office today or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment and learn more about having a safe, simple vasectomy.
A vasectomy is a simple office procedure that prevents men from getting their partners pregnant.
Vasectomies are the most effective type of birth control (other than abstinence) because they stop sperm from mixing with your semen. You still produce semen so you won’t notice any difference in your ejaculate or ability to have a healthy sex life.
During a vasectomy, your provider cuts the vas deferens, the narrow tubes in the scrotum that carry sperm to mix with semen before ejaculation.
Your provider begins by applying an anesthetic. You may feel tugging sensations; otherwise, a vasectomy should never be uncomfortable.
They locate the vas deferens, make a tiny hole in the scrotum, and stretch it just enough to gently pull the tube through the hole. Then they cut the tube, seal the ends, and put it back in place. The same procedure is repeated on the other vas deferens.
You may have mild swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort after your vasectomy. The swelling improves in a few days. In the meantime, over-the-counter pain medication should ease any pain.
Though sperm can’t leave the testicles after a vasectomy, some sperm remain in the vas deferens on the other side of where the tubes were cut and sealed. These sperm are in your semen and can get your partner pregnant.
It takes about three months or 20 ejaculations for most men to clear out all the sperm. You should use another method to prevent pregnancy until your provider checks your sperm count and verifies it’s safe to have sex without backup birth control.
You can consider microsurgery to reconnect each vas deferens if you change your mind and want to have more children in the future. Since a vasectomy doesn’t stop sperm production, restoring the tube allows sperm to once again mix with your semen.
Vasectomy reversals are generally successful but they don’t always work. Your chances of having a successful reversal go down as more time passes after the vasectomy.
If you want more children and don’t want vasectomy reversal surgery, you could also consider having sperm removed from your testicles and used for in vitro fertilization.
To learn more about getting a vasectomy or schedule an appointment, call Urology Specialists of Cypress or book online today.