General Information
What is a vasectomy?
Vasectomy is the name given to the operation which makes men infertile by producing a block to sperm movement from the testes and is the most efficient form of contraception currently available. Sperm are produced in both testes, collected in the epididymus, and then carried by the vas deferens (a tube) on both sides to the seminal vesicle at the back of the bladder where they are stored and mature. Sperm accounts for only 1% the semen ejaculated. To prevent the passage of sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicle both vas deferens are cut and tied. This means that when you ejaculate after a vasectomy the seminal vesicle is gradually depleted of sperm so that eventually the semen will be free of sperm. The volume will be unchanged as 99% of the semen is produced in the seminal vesicle and prostate gland. The production of testosterone (the male hormone) by the testes is unaffected and as it goes directly into the blood stream sex drive and libido are unaltered.
How is a vasectomy done?
The procedure is very simple and takes about 10-30 minutes. It is performed in our surgery using a special ‘painless’ local anaesthetic which is injected into the skin in the front of the scrotum. There are no injections into the testes. A single small opening is made in the centre of the scrotum below the penis without using a scalpel. The opening is only 2-4mm in size and will close rapidly and heal without needing stitches. The vasa are located and approximately 1-2cm is removed from each and the upper ends are tied off with a material that slowly dissolves over 4-6 weeks. This leaves the bottom ends open (“open ended method”) allowing sperm which is still produced to escape into the scrotum and be reabsorbed. This minimises any pressure build up and pain in the testes and epididymus after the procedure.
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