Male Sterilization (Vasectomy)

Male sterilization is the permanent method of birth control for men. The procedure is called vasectomy which may involve cutting or blocking the vas deferens. Vas deferens is a sperm carrying tube that begins at the testicles where sperm are produced.

Once the tube is cut or block sperm cannot travel up the tube and mix with the seminal fluid. Pregnancy cannot happen without sperm fertilizing the egg. There are two types of vasectomy and these are surgical and non-surgical method. Surgical method involves cutting and closing the tubes. Non-surgical method involves tying the tube. Vasectomy was first use in 1899.

How it Works

Male sterilization is usually performed at the doctor’s office. In the surgical procedure you are given local anesthesia. The doctor makes a small incision on one side of the scrotum to locate the vas deferens tube. The tube is cut and tied off and the same procedure is repeated on the other side of the scrotum. The entire process may take about 20 minutes to complete.

In non-surgical procedure, the doctor makes one tiny puncture on the scrotum and both tubes are tied off. This procedure does not require stitches or the use of local anesthesia.

Both types of vasectomy prevent sperm from mixing with the seminal fluid and without sperm fertilization of egg cannot occur. Vasectomies are not effective immediately because a man can remain fertile for several months after being sterile.

The sperm that are stored beyond the site of incision or blockage may still be present in a man’s ejaculate. In the meantime you should be using other method of birth control and you need follow up visit after 3 months to evaluate your sperm count. You are clear if the test show two negative evaluations.

Advantages

Male sterilization is a safe and permanent method of birth control. You can engage in spontaneous sexual activity without the fear of pregnancy or worry about different method of birth control. Your hormone level will not be affected after vasectomy and you will continue to enjoy your normal sex drive and sexual pleasure.

After being sterile, you will continue to produce sperm and seminal fluid but it will not mix. The sperm will simply be absorbed by the body and you will still be able to ejaculate fluid but without the sperm.

Productions of seminal fluid are not affected in any way and you will continue to produce as much seminal fluid as before the vasectomy. The surgical procedure for vasectomy is less complicated than female sterilization. With non-surgical method you can recover very quickly after the procedure.

Disadvantages

Vasectomy does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases. After surgery some men experienced side effects which may include swelling, inflammation or bruising at the site of the incision. Some may experience brief pain and some may experience pain that last for months and this would require medical attention.

Vasectomies are not effective immediately and you need to wait for at least 3 months until all the sperms are ejaculated from your body with the test evaluation showing two negative sperm counts. There is also a possibility that the tube may rejoin and cause pregnancy. Vasectomy is the permanent method of birth control and surgical reversal may not be possible if you decide to have biological children in future.

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