Male sterilization
Male sterilisation is carried out by
means of a surgical procedure called a vasectomy
The principle of a vasectomy is to
prevent the sperm from entering the fluid which is ejaculated during orgasm
This is achieved by cutting and tying
off the tubes – vas deferens – through which sperm pass
It
is a simple operation carried out under local anaesthetic in a surgeon’s office
There
is a small failure rate, usually in the first year, because the tubes grow back
Complications are rare and are generally associated with infection
Alternative names
Vasectomy
Which
men should consider sterilisation?
Male sterilisation, carried out by means of a vasectomy, is a form of
permanent birth control for men.
It
should be considered only if you and your partner do not want children or if
your family is complete.
It
should be considered as a permanent procedure.
How does
vasectomy work?
Vasectomy is a simple operation. The principle is to prevent sperm
from entering the fluid which is ejaculated during orgasm.
Sperm
are produced in the testicles. They pass through tubes called the vas deferens
to other glands where they mix with other fluids to form semen.
Vasectomy blocks the vas deferens and keeps sperm out of the seminal fluid. The
sperm are instead absorbed by the body.
A
vasectomy is usually carried out in a surgeon’s office under local anaesthesia.
A small incision is made in the upper part of the scrotum under the penis. The
vas deferens are tied off and cut apart. The skin incision is stitched and
closed. Normally, you can return home immediately.
How
effective is vasectomy?
There is a small failure rate in the first year if the tubes grow
together again. This happens in around one in 1000 cases.
Vasectomy does not offer immediate protection against pregnancy since sperm
remain in the system beyond the blocked tubes. You must use some other form of
birth control until all these sperm are used up. This usually takes between 15
and 20 ejaculations. A simple semen analysis will show when there are no more
sperm in the seminal fluid.
What
complications can occur after vasectomy?
Generally, complications are rare. Those that do occur are usually
associated with infection after the operation. Warning signs include:
A
fever
Blood or pus oozing from the incision
Excessive
pain or swelling
Other
possible problems include:
Bleeding
into the skin during surgery which may cause bruising. This will get better on
its own.
Fluid around the testes occurs in less
than one out of 100 cases and generally clears up within a week.
Sperm leak from the tubes may cause a
small lump under the skin near the site of the operation in about 18 out of 100
cases.
Mild infections occur in up
to seven out of 100 cases. Rarely, an abscess may develop.
Very rarely, the cut ends of the vas
deferens grow back together (recanalisation). If this happens, it is usually
within four months of the operation.
Decreased sexual desire or inability
to maintain an erection can occur in around four in 1000 cases. This is usually
an emotional problem since there is no physical reason why this should happen
after a vasectomy.
There
has been no proven association between vasectomy and prostate cancer. However,
all men between 50 and 70 should be screened for prostate cancer every year.
Can a
vasectomy be reversed?
Sometimes it is possible to reverse a vasectomy, but success is not
guaranteed. Around 16 to 19% of men with reversed vasectomies will successfully
father a child.
In
general, you should not consider vasectomy if you want to know about reversal.
When to
see your doctor
If after the operation you experience:
Excessive pain and swelling around the
incision or in your testicles
Any blood or pus oozing from the
incision
If
you develop a fever
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