Vasectomy

Vasectomy is a reliable form of male sterilization that is performed as a surgical procedure under either local or general anaesthetic. It is meant as a permanent procedure which involves excising a segment of vas deferens (tube that transports sperm from the testis) on either side and then ligating or cauterizing the proximal and distal ends.

Although it is generally considered a safe procedure with minimal side effects, some patients might experience post-operative pain, infection or bleeding.

Vasectomy failure or recanalization can occur although this is very rare, with a reported incidence of 1 in 2300. It’s important to remember to continue using contraception until a semen analysis at 4 months shows no sperm.

A not uncommon finding on semen analysis, however, is that of isolated or rare, non-motile spermatozoa (RNMS) which does not represent vasectomy failure, but rather that of ‘dead’ sperm that has not yet made it out of the system. Recommendations according to international guidelines are that if a repeat semen analysis after 6 months shows the same then the risks of pregnancy are equivalent to if there were no sperms present (azoospermia) and can, therefore, stop using contraception.

Please contact our rooms to make an appointment to see us if you’re considering scheduling a vasectomy.