When a Vasectomy Is the Best Choice for You and Your Partner

While a vasectomy is a common medical procedure, the decision to have one requires some forethought.

At Urology Specialist Group, we provide comprehensive care before, during, and after your vasectomy. Our experienced physicians can also provide resources that help you and your partner decide if the procedure is the best choice for your family plans.

What to know about vasectomy

Vasectomy is a type of permanent male sterilization to prevent fertilization of egg by sperm. The goal of the minimally invasive surgery is to cut off the supply of sperm to semen by closing the vas deferens tube they travel through.

Through a small incision in your upper scrotum, our physicians disconnect the tube and place a surgical clip, use heat, or other methods to close the tube ends. After replacing the vas deferens back in your scrotum, your provider closes the incision with stitches or glue.

A vasectomy procedure typically takes 30 minutes or less to complete. Recovery times are short, with most men returning to work in 2-3 days and going back to their usual routine within a week.

Fast facts about vasectomy

Here are a few fast facts about vasectomy that you might not know:

Vasectomy results aren’t instant

It’s true that vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control but know that you’re not protected right away. After surgery is complete, it can take several months before sperm counts in your semen decrease.

Our physicians test semen samples after a vasectomy to determine when it’s safe to have unprotected sex. In general, it takes about two months for your semen to be free of sperm. Having sex before confirming sperm-free can result in an unintended pregnancy.

Vasectomy doesn’t lessen libido

Some men rule out having a vasectomy out of fear of losing their sex drive. However, your sexual function won’t change because of the procedure, and you can expect to have orgasms and erections as you did before. The only difference is there will no longer be sperm in your semen.

If you experience erectile dysfunction, it can be a warning sign that something else is going on. Speak with our team about testing for low testosterone and other underlying issues.

Vasectomy won’t increase cancer risk

There are misconceptions about vasectomy and an increased risk for testicular or prostate cancer. However, there’s no evidence of a link between them. If you have concerns about your prostate or testicle health or risk factors for cancer, our team can address them during an evaluation.

Considerations to make ahead of a vasectomy

Having an open and honest conversation with your partner is the best first step when considering a vasectomy. It’s important that you are both on the same page about your future family plans and are certain you no longer want to have children.

While some vasectomies are reversible, the reversal surgery is longer, carries more risks than the original procedure, and it may not always be successful.

For some couples, a vasectomy can be a sound decision if getting pregnant will  compromise a woman’s health. You may also wish to have a vasectomy if you or your partner have hereditary or genetic conditions that can affect a child’s health or quality of life.

A vasectomy is not a solution for temporary birth control, and you still need to use condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Call the Urology Specialist Group office in Hialeah or Miami Lakes, Florida, to schedule a vasectomy consultation or book an appointment online today.