Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure, involving ligation of the vas deferens (vas) , causing sterilisation by removing sperm from  the ejaculate.

Sperm makes up a very small amount of the ejaculate  , and therefore most men will not notice any change in the volume of their ejaculate after a vasectomy.

How will Vasectomy affect me?

Vasectomy is NOT a castration. Vasectomy only interrupts the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to where they are added to your semen. Your penis and testes are not altered. All hormonal and sexual function is unaffected, so your voice, body hair and interest in sex remain the same. Your body still produces semen, and erections and ejaculation occur normally. The only difference is that your semen will no longer contain sperm.

Can I discontinue other effective birth control straight away?

No

Sperm can remain in the vas deferens above the operative site for weeks or even months after Vasectomy. You will not be considered sterile until a post-surgical semen test shows that NO VIABLE sperm remain. Until then you must continue contraception to prevent pregnancy. The semen test is performed at 3 months, when a specimen is dropped off to your local pathology centre. The details will go to Dr Elvy who will contact you with the result.

Are there any complications of Vasectomy?

Yes. 

Vasectomy is a  low risk procedure, but complications occur even with  experienced practitioners.

It is important for patients to understand that complications can occur , even with a procedure that is perfectly performed.

Complications include

1. Bleeding causing symptomatic haematoma (1%)

Most haematoma's settle without treatment. 

On occasions treatment requires hospital admission and surgical drainage.

["No Scalpel Vasectomy"  reduces the chance of bleeding because the opening in the scrotum is small and the procedure is minimally invasive.]

2. Infection (1to 2%)

Most infections settle with oral antibiotics. 

On occasions treatment requires admission to hospital and intravenous antibiotics and other treatment
.
3. Post Vasectomy pain syndrome (1%)
Post vasectomy pain syndrome is a complex, poorly understood condition, usually related to congestive epididymitis ( Congestion of sperm in the collecting system of the testicle). Sometimes it maybe related to nerve entrapment ,sometimes to sperm granuloma, often the exact cause is unknown.

If the surgeon "ties off" the end of the vas coming from the testicle , there is nowhere for the sperm to drain. This can lead to enlargement of the epididymis , congestion , inflammation and pain.

Our Vasectomy is open ended technique (leave the testicular end open to drain), to minimize the risk of congestive epididymitis.

Post Vasectomy pain syndrome, if severe can sometimes require surgical treatment ,including reversal or epididymectomy for congestive epididymitis or microsurgical neurolysis of the spermatic cord for nerve entrapment or pain syndromes of unknown cause.

Is Vasectomy painful?

Most patients say “it wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be”. We use Entonox® ( an inhaled analgesic)  and a effective local anaesthetic spermatic cord nerve block. 

Patients can request Penthrox® ( The "Green whistle") at a small extra charge , but must have someone to drive them home

Any pain post-operatively can be relieved by simple pain medications. Generally one or two days rest is recovery enough before men return to work and most normal, non-strenuous physical activity. Sex can usually be resumed 7 days after the procedure.


Does Vasectomy have any long term health risks?

Many studies have looked at the long term health effects of Vasectomy. The evidence over all is reassuring, suggesting that no serious health risks exist. In 1998, there was a review of 14 original studies into the possible link between vasectomy and prostate cancer. It showed there was no causal relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer. Recently, an American study suggested a very slight increase in risk. However, most studies do not confirm a link between vasectomy and prostate cancer.

Can Vasectomy be reversed?


In many cases the cut ends of the vas deferens can be surgically reattached. However, this operation, a Vasovasostomy, is expensive and for a variety of reasons does not always guarantee a successful pregnancy. Vasectomy should always be considered a permanent  procedure.

If you are thinking about a reversal now,  you should take more time to decide whether Vasectomy is the right decision.

How reliable is a Vasectomy?

Even when the operation is performed perfectly, it is possible in rare cases for sperm to find its way across the void between the two ends of the vas deferens. This situation is called recanalisation. It usually occurs by 6 weeks following the procedure. Our Vasectomy technique uses Fascia inter-position and radio-frequency ablation of proximal vas lumen to lower failure rates. (Our failure rate is around 0.3%)

Please note although rare, our primary failures are picked up when a post 3 month sperm count is undertaken. (these patients had another Vasectomy, free of charge, with a good result.)

The problem is not really failure, it is not knowing about it. We encourage all patients to have a sperm count at 3 months

After 3 months, with a negative sperm test, the chance of the vas re-joining is rare. (estimated at 1 in 2000)