Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a simple, safe, easy, and inexpensive method of birth control when compared with other birth control methods such as condoms, oral contraceptives, implants, and devices or female sterilization called “tubal ligation”.

Each year, more than 500,000 men in the U.S. choose vasectomy as permanent birth control. During a vasectomy, each vas deferens (the two tubes that move sperm) are sealed off. This blocks sperm from reaching the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. After a vasectomy, the testicles still make sperm but they are absorbed by the body.

A vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any other method of birth control, except abstinence. There is only a .05% failure rate after the first year making the vasectomy the most effective birth control option short of abstinence.

Adult Pediatric Urology accepts most insurance carriers and most policies cover the costs of a vasectomy without a referral. It is important to check with your policy prior to the procedure to determine coverage and out-of-pocket costs. Our billing department is ready and willing to help you clarify your plan so you know how much a vasectomy in Omaha costs at Adult & Pediatric Urology. We are also proud to offer care credit and personal loans for patients who self-pay.

After an initial consult appointment, your vasectomy will be scheduled in our outpatient surgery center. It is a minor surgery that should take about 20 minutes. Before the vasectomy, your scrotum will be shaved and cleaned. Usually, local anesthesia is used so you will be awake but should not feel any pain. Some patients may also be given medicine to reduce anxiety. With a standard vasectomy, the urologist makes one or two small cuts in the scrotum. One vas deferens tube is cut and tied or sealed with heat. The tube is replaced inside the scrotum. The procedure is then repeated on the other side. Lastly, the skin is closed with stitches that dissolve and do not have to be removed.

Another popular option we offer our patients in Omaha is a no-scalpel vasectomy. In this procedure, a small clamp with pointed ends is used to puncture the skin. Then each vas deferens is lifted out, cut, sealed, and then put back in place. A no-scalpel vasectomy works just as well as a standard vasectomy. Some benefits of a no-scalpel vasectomy in Omaha are less bleeding, swelling and pain. There is also a smaller hole in the skin.

Your scrotum will be numb for one to two hours after a vasectomy. Put cold packs on the area. Lie on your back as much as you can for the rest of the day. Mild discomfort or pain is normal after a vasectomy and should be treated with pain relievers. Wearing snug underwear or a jockstrap will help ease discomfort and support the area.

You may have some swelling and minor pain in your scrotum for a few days after the surgery. You may be able to go back to work in one or two days. It depends on how you feel. But you should avoid heavy lifting for a week. You can have sex again as soon as you are comfortable, usually within a week. But keep in mind that the vasectomy is not effective from day one. Sperm may still be in the semen for many months after a vasectomy. It takes about 20 ejaculations or three months to clear the sperm from the tubes. However, results vary for different men. Your Omaha vasectomy doctor will collect a specimen to test for sperm after the procedure. This is done to make sure your semen is clear of sperm. Until the sperm count is zero, sex without another method of birth control may lead to pregnancy.

Up to 20 in 100 men may have ongoing pain or discomfort after a vasectomy. Most often, it is due to congestion of sperm in the system behind the blockage. This usually resolves with time. The pain is most often treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen. One to 6 men in 100 may need more treatment to ease their pain.

After recovering from a vasectomy, a man and his partner should notice no difference during sex. An uncomplicated vasectomy does not cause erection problems. Ejaculation and orgasm should feel the same. The amount of semen does not decrease by more than five percent. The only change your partner may be able to feel is a lump at the vasectomy site if one has formed.

Vasectomy Side Effects

A vasectomy is a popular form of birth control for men, but like any medical procedure, it comes with potential side effects. Here's what you need to know:

Possible Side Effects:

• Pain, swelling, bruising, or infection at the site of the procedure
• A temporary decrease in sex drive or performance anxiety
• Rare cases of chronic pain or discomfort
• Bleeding or a blood clot (hematoma) inside the scrotum
• Blood in your semen

Long-Term Side Effects

• May lead to chronic pain in 1% to 2% of cases.
• A dull ache that worsens with ejaculation may result from fluid buildup in the testicle.
• Leakage of sperm may cause inflammation and result in a condition known as granuloma.
• In the rare event that vasectomy fails, pregnancy may still occur.
• A cyst known as spermatocele may develop in the epididymis, a coiled tube responsible for collecting and transporting sperm.
• Swelling in the scrotum caused by a fluid-filled sac known as hydrocele can surround a testicle.

*Note there is no evidence of increased risk for prostate cancer after undergoing a vasectomy procedure.

While the side effects of a vasectomy are generally mild and temporary, it's important to consider them before undergoing the procedure. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your Omaha vasectomy specialist to ensure that a vasectomy is a right choice for you.

Types of Vasectomy Procedures:

• Traditional vasectomy: involves cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm
• No-scalpel vasectomy: uses a special instrument to make a small puncture instead of a cut

Although there is a vasectomy reversal procedure it can be costly and not always 100% successful so we strongly recommend men consider vasectomies to be permanent. Ask yourself whether you would want more children if you separated from your partner, if your partner died, or if one of your children died. A man can bank (i.e. freeze) his sperm before his vasectomy is performed but it is expensive and most men do not do so.

Vasectomy Reversal Success Rate

The success of the vasectomy reversal procedure depends on the time elapsed since the initial vasectomy. Patients who had vasectomy less than 5 years ago have a 75% success rate. However, this rate decreases to around 40-50% after 8 years, and 30% or less after 10 or more years. Before deciding whether vasectomy reversal is suitable for one's situation, it is important to discuss fertility goals and evaluate the health and fertility of the partner.

Getting Pregnant After Vasectomy Reversal