|
Vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure for permanent male
fertility control, in which the tube leading from each testicle is cut and sealed
in order to stop sperm from reaching the prostate, where it mixes with the semen.
This tube is called the vas deferens, hence "vasectomy." Without sperm in the semen,
a man cannot make his partner pregnant.
A vasectomy leaves the patient unchanged except for the fact that the sperm cord
(vas) is blocked. The testes still produce sperm, but they die and are absorbed
by the body. The level of male hormone remains the same and all sexual characteristics
remain the same. Ability to have an erection is also entirely unchanged.
Over 500,000 vasectomy procedures are performed each year in the United States.
The procedure is usually done in an office setting with the use of a local anesthetic
such as Xylocaine and takes between 10 and 40 minutes, depending on the surgeon,
his technique, and the patient's specific anatomy. A vasectomy is far safer and
far less expensive than female tubal ligation. Furthermore, the effectiveness of
a vasectomy can be verified after the surgery with a semen analysis; the only way
a woman could know her tubal ligation was ineffective would be if she became pregnant
or had expensive X-ray tests.
As with any surgical procedure, the primary risks are infection and bleeding.
These risks are generally low for vasectomy. While vasectomy can be reversed surgically
at times, its successful reversal cannot be guaranteed, and vasectomy is done with
the intent of being permanent. Conversely, the vas deferens can rarely grow back
together on its own and cause a pregnancy. This is called recanalization and occurs
substantially less than one percent of the time.
Over the years, many questions have been raised regarding possible long-term
effects of vasectomy. Issues as to whether vasectomy causes arthritis or atherosclerosis
or heart disease have long been put to rest. Most recently, some studies have suggested
that vasectomy may cause a slight increase in the risk of getting prostate cancer.
By and large, these studies have also been refuted by other urologic data. Studies
including tens of thousands of vasectomy patients have showen no clear trends regarding
an association between vasectomy and heart disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis,
or cancer.
A recent advancement in the vasectomy technique is the "No-Scalpel" vasectomy.
In a conventional vasectomy, the physician may make one or two small incisions with
a scalpel, and then use sutures or stitches to close them at the end of the procedure.
In the "No-Scalpel" method, rather than making an incision, the doctor makes only
one tiny puncture into the skin with a special instrument. This instrument is used
to gently stretch the skin opening so that the tubes can be reached easily.
The tubes are then blocked, using the same method as a conventional vasectomy,
but because no incision was made, there is very little bleeding and no stitches
are needed to close the tiny opening. The opening will heal quickly with little
or no scarring.
The technique of the No-Scalpel vasectomy was developed in 1974 by a Chinese
physician, Dr. Li Shunqiang, and has been performed on over 8 million men in China.
No-Scalpel vasectomy was introduced to the United States in 1988 and is now used
by many doctors in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Compared to the traditional incisional technique, the "No-Scalpel" vasectomy
usually takes less time, causes less discomfort, and may have lower rates of bleeding
and infection. Recovery following the "No-Scalpel" procedure is usually complete
in three to five days.
The vasectomy only divides the vas and has no effect on sperm that are already
beyond that point. It is important not to have unprotected intercourse until the
absence of sperm from the ejaculate has been confirmed with two negative sperm checks
4 to 6 weeks apart.
Overall, vasectomy is a simple and safe form of birth control which is often
preferable to birth control pills, a tubal ligation, diaphragms, or spermicides.
Some men say that without the worry of accidental pregnancy and the bother of other
birth control methods, sex is more relaxed and enjoyable than before.
Common reasons for having a vasectomy:
- You want to enjoy sex without worrying about pregnancy.
- You do not want to have more children than you can care for.
- Your partner has health problems that make pregnancy difficult.
- You do not want to risk passing on a hereditary disease or disability.
- You and your partner don't want to or can't use other birth control methods.
- You want to save your partner the more extensive surgery involved in tubal ligation,
as well as the extra expense.
A vasectomy may not be right for you if:
- You are very young.
- You are having a vasectomy just to please your partner and you do not really
want it.
- You are under a lot of stress.
- You are counting on being able to reverse the procedure in the future.
|
