A vasectomy is a safe, permanent method of birth control. Undergone by about 500,000 men each year in the United States, a vasectomy is one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy, with a 99.85% success rate. While vasectomies are reversible, they are typically recommended for men who have decided that their families are complete, or have chosen not to have children. Whatever the reason, a vasectomy will allow you to continue having intercourse without interference to your sex drive or performance. Vasectomies allow men to take responsibility for birth control in their sexual partnerships. The no-scalpel, no-needle vasectomies offered by Dr. Kuan are the safest, least invasive way to pursue male sterilization. Dr. Kuan has performed over 500 vasectomies since 2007.
Men may experience some discomfort, but vasectomy should not be painful.”
Benefits of a no-scalpel vasectomy
- Will not affect sex drive or ability to become erect. Orgasm remains unchanged.
- Less room for human error that exists with other forms of birth control like condoms, the pill, or family planning methods
- Safer, more affordable than tubal litigation (female sterilization) as a permanent birth control solution
- Procedure is usually covered by insurance
What to expect
A vasectomy prevents the release of sperm into the ejaculate by blocking the vas deferens duct, which transports sperm from the testicles to the seminal vesicles, where the sperm are stored until orgasm and ejaculation. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes, done under local anesthesia. It is considered minor surgery, and typically requires just one to two days of recovery and rest from strenuous activities.
During your vasectomy, the doctor will:
- Cleanse the skin on the scrotum
- Locate the vas deferens then administer local anesthesia using a needle-less air injector
- Create a single opening in the scrotal skin overlying the vas deferens.
- A segment of the vas deferens is removed, the ends are cauterized and a small clip is placed to prevent a new tunnel from forming (recanalization)
- Return the vas deferens to the scrotum and place a dressing over the incision
Recovering from vasectomy:
- Most men can drive themselves home
- Use of ice and anti-inflammatories is recommended
- Return to work and normal activities within 1-3 days
- Continue to use some form of birth control until you have provided 2 semen samples for microscopic examination, showing NO sperm. The first sample is brought to the office 6 weeks after your vasectomy
vasectomy recovery handout.pdf
Vasectomy reversal, sperm banking & retrieval
A small percent of men will request a vasectomy reversal in the years following vasectomy. Performed microscopically, vasectomy reversal can restore continuity of the vas deferens and the flow of sperm into the semen, but not guaranteed. It is important for men/couples to approach vasectomy as a permanent solution, recognizing that occasionally life’s events change unexpectedly and men will request reversal. Other fertility solutions to consider before or after your procedure are sperm banking and sperm retrieval. Sperm banking is the process of freezing sperm before your procedure. Sperm retrieval is sometimes possible after your procedure, and involves procuring sperm from the testes for in vitro fertilization.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Kuan
If you are an existing patient, please DO NOT use this form to discuss your medical condition. Instead, please use the Swedish Urology Group Patient Portal.