What is Vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a permanent method of contraception by male sterilization. It is performed under local anaesthesia. Two small one cm incisions are made on either side of the scrotum. This gives access to the spermatic cord in which the vas is lound. A small segment (one cm) of the vas is cut ind the snipped ends are tied (closed) off, so that the sperm will be unable to pass through. The incisions are then closed with an absorbable suture. This operation is simpler than the sterilization of a female. Hospitalisation is not necessary and the patient can walk back home. The procedure only affects the fertility and the virility is left intact.

In which conditions, vasectomy should not be encouraged?

Vasectomy should be postponed in cases where

1. A man is equating his masculinity with fathering of the child,
2. There are unresolved doubts and conflicts about the procedure and its outcome,
3. Local conditions where surgery becomes difficult (infection, varicocele, large hydrocele, inguinal hernia, filariasis or scar tissue from surgery).

Vasectomy should be deferred until a specialist is consulted.

Can Vasectomy help Sexual Functioning?

By removing the fear of possible pregnancy and eliminating the need for artificial aids which often impair local sensitivity, vasectomy may lead to an improvement in the sexual performance in some individuals.

How soon after Vasectomy can one resume Sexual Activity without Contraception?

Don’t count days, count the number of ejaculations. At least 10 ejaculations after vasectomy and/or two consecutive semen analysis reports need to be sperm negative. Till then, effective contraceptive methods should be used.

Is Vasectomy reversible?

Yes, but the success of the reversal operation depends upon the skill of the surgeon, the technique used at the time of sterilization, duration after which reanastomosis is performed and the technique used for reanastomosis. However even after a successful reversal operation by the best of micro-surgical techniques, a man’s chances of impregnating the female are fifty-fifty.

How can Vasectomy be made more acceptable?

Ideally, the man and his wife both should be counselled together about the surgical procedure, the operative risk and the outcome. It needs to be emphasized to the couple that the procedure is merely contraceptive and will have no effect on the man’s virility. Ligating the vas will not have any effect on sexual desire, response and performance. The orgasmic capacity, ejaculation and quantity of ejaculate all remain the same. This will remove any misconceptions that the couple may harbour about the procedure. Its advantages over other methods of contraception, such as its permanency, high success rate, only one time motivation required, absence of systemic side effects, non-impairment of local sensitivity, potential reversibility and its relative ease and safety over tubectomy should also be stressed additionally. Thus, vasectomy can be made more acceptable by education.