Male Vasectomy
Written by Jane Carrasco
What Is A Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a medical procedure performed on the male in an office or clinic as a means of permanent birth control that takes roughly 30 minutes to perform and is administered under a local anesthetic.
During a vasectomy, the doctor makes one or two small openings in the scrotum. Through an opening, the two vas deferens tubes are cut. The two ends of the vas deferens are tied, stitched, or sealed. Electrocautery may be used to seal the ends with heat. Scar tissue from the surgery helps block the tubes. This prevents sperm from mixing with the semen that is ejaculated from the penis.
After a vasectomy, sperm can no longer exit the body through the penis. Without the sperm, there is no fertilization of the egg. The testicles continue to produce sperm after a vasectomy, but they are broken down and absorbed by the body.
A vasectomy can be done in 2 ways:
1. No-scalpel vasectomy
Procedure that uses a small clamp with pointed ends. Instead of using a scalpel to cut the skin, the clamp is poked through the skin of the scrotum and then opened. The no-scalpel vasectomy is as effective as a traditional vasectomy and the benefits include less bleeding, a smaller hole in the skin, and fewer complications.
A males vasectomy is a safer, cheaper procedure that causes fewer complications than tubal ligation in women. Visit your physician and schedule an appointment to talk to him if you think a vasectomy is the best option for controlling birth control permanently.
Although vasectomy is expensive, it is a one-time cost and is often covered by medical insurance. The cost of other methods, such as birth control pills or condoms and spermicide, is likely to be greater over time.
Be sure this is the best choice before you have a vasectomy. It is reversible, but it is a much more difficult procedure. Vasectomies do not protect against HIV/AIDS and STD's. Take into consideration whether or not you want to have your sperm stored for later use.
(This would be MY first choice....LOL)
Disclaimer
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The content provided is intended strictly for informational purposes to help patient understanding of medical terms and conditions.