Prevea vasectomy and vasectomy reversal procedures

Time for that vasectomy?

Vasectomies are one of the most common procedures performed by urologists worldwide and our team at Prevea Health is no exception. When it comes to having a vasectomy it’s natural to be nervous and have questions. We’ll try to take some of that fear out of a vasectomy and address some of the most frequently asked questions.
   

How does a vasectomy work?

A vasectomy is permanent contraception for men. It’s a minimally-invasive procedure that cuts the vas deferens. These are the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. After a vasectomy, sperm is still created, it just cannot move out of the testes. And, the sperm is absorbed by the body.
 

How long does a vasectomy take?

The procedure takes about 20 minutes.
 

Does a vasectomy hurt?

We use a local anesthesia to numb the area so you will not feel any pain during the procedure.
 

What can I expect with the procedure?

• The procedure is performed in our urologists’ office.
• You will be awake the entire time.
• Your scrotum is shaved and cleaned. Then, the surgeon will inject a shot of numbing medicine into the area.
• The urologist will make a small cut in the upper part of your scrotum. The vas deferens will then be tied off and cut apart.
• The wound will be closed with stitches or surgical glue.

You may have a vasectomy without a surgical cut. This is called a no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) and it’s performed by our urologist in Sheboygan.
 
For this procedure:

• The procedure is performed in our urologists’ office
• You will be awake the entire time.
• The urologist will find the vas deferens by feeling your scrotum.
• You will get numbing medicine.
• The urologist will then make a tiny hole in the skin of your scrotum and then clip the ends of the vas deferens.
• In a regular vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum. In a no-scalpel vasectomy, a sharp instrument is used to pierce the skin and make a single opening.

 

What can I expect after the procedure?

• Your scrotum will be bandaged.
• Once the numbness wears off, your scrotum may feel tender or uncomfortable.
• Bruising and swelling are also normal.
• You should be able to urinate without any issue, but you may feel some discomfort.
• You can go back to performing light activities after a few days.
• You may experience discomfort for up to a week as the tissue heals.

Several weeks after your vasectomy, you will be asked to come back to the office to have your sperm count checked. It usually takes several weeks to ejaculate without sperm in your semen.
 

Is a vasectomy effective?

The success rate is approximately 98 percent at preventing pregnancy.
 

What are the risks?

As with any procedure, it’s important to understand what the possible complications may be. While rare, the most common complications include bleeding, development of a hematoma (localized bleeding outside of blood vessels) and infection of the scrotal incision site.

Following vasectomy, a small fraction of men (one to two percent) experience chronic pain, also called post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS). This is classified as a man having constant or intermittent testicular pain for greater than three months. This pain interferes with quality of life and requires some degree of medical treatment. Talk to your doctor if this occurs.
 

What is the cost?

Cost varies based on insurance coverage. As with any procedure, check with your insurance provider to find out if the vasectomy procedure is covered.
 

Does a vasectomy affect sexual function?

Vasectomy will not affect your sex life. It does not decrease your sex drive because it doesn’t affect the production of testosterone. It also doesn’t affect your ability to get an erection or ejaculate semen.
 

Is a vasectomy reversible?

While vasectomy is a very effective form of birth control, a vasectomy can be reversed. During a vasectomy reversal, the cut ends of each vas deferens are stitched back together. With the sperm pathways restored, sperm can once again travel through the vas deferens and leave the body during ejaculation. The procedure is done in an operating room and you can expect a very similar experience as with the vasectomy when it comes to the procedure and recovery. Vasectomy reversals are usually not covered by insurance.
 
If you have additional questions, talk to your primary care doctor or a urologist. If and when you are ready, you can call us directly to schedule an appointment. No referral is needed.