Vasectomies are performed under local anesthesia in Dr. Young’s office and are intended to be a permanent form of birth control. Men should only undergo a vasectomy if they are absolutely sure they want no future children. It is possible to reverse a vasectomy with a surgical procedure; however the procedure is expensive and effective about 50% of the time. If a man desires a vasectomy but thinks he may possible desire children in the future he should research storing sperm in a sperm bank.
The most important issue with a vasectomy is it takes six weeks or longer to be effective. A vasectomy disrupts the vas deferens, the tube that carries the sperm from the testicle to the water channel. This tube is disrupted a few inches from the testicle so there is a substantial length of the vas deferens that still contains sperm. Until all the sperm are “flushed out” it is possible to achieve pregnancy. Therefore men (or their partner) need to continue practicing a form of birth control until the sperm count reaches zero. The first sperm count will be done six weeks after the vasectomy is performed. If the sperm count is zero, other methods of birth control can be discontinued. However if any sperm are identified, the sperm count will be repeated every two weeks or so until the sperm count is zero. Frequent ejaculation is a good thing!
After the vasectomy it is important to remain at absolute bed rest for 72 hours. If the testicles are bumped or bruised within 72 hours there may be pain and swelling that can last up to three months. Dr. Young recommends for 72 hours after the vasectomy the patient remains at bed rest except to use the bathroom, wear an athletic support, use ice packs as needed, and take pain medication as prescribed. Any riding of motorcycles, bicycles or horses should be postponed for several weeks. Upon resuming these activities it should be incremental in duration. The same is true for exercising or lifting weights.
Dr. Young will see all patients desiring a vasectomy in a preliminary consult in his office to go over all details and answer any questions. At that time the patient will be given a prescription for a valium and a pain pill to be taken one hour before the vasectomy. The patient is instructed not to drive himself to the office or home after the procedure. It is also requested the patient bring an athletic support to the office at the time of the vasectomy.
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