The decision to have children or to not have children is a big one. Perhaps you already have children and want to make sure that you do not have anymore. If you are looking for a good form of permanent birth control, the decision to schedule a vasectomy can be a good option.
It is important to remember that this is a permanent form of birth control. Consider this before deciding whether or not it is the best choice for your particular situation.
When Should You Schedule a Vasectomy?
Scheduling a vasectomy might be the right choice for you if:
- You are sure that you do not want to have any more children.
- Your partner would be at a health risk if she were to get pregnant.
- Your partner or yourself have genetic disorders that you do not want to pass on to your children.
On the other hand, there are several reasons you might not be ready to schedule your vasectomy just yet. These include:
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- You are not sure whether or not you want to have kids.
- You only want temporary birth control.
Vasectomies are typically very safe and extremely effective. Most are done using conscious sedation. The procedure can also be performed under a local anesthetic.
- Local anesthesia: the doctor will place medicine directly in your scrotum to numb the area. You will be awake for the entire procedure.
- Conscious sedation: your doctor will administer a sedative to you. This helps to relieve the anxiety that you might have about the procedure.
You are given the medicine to take before you arrive. In the surgery room, you'll get anesthesia on your scrotum to numb it for the procedure. No matter what type of anesthesia is used the procedure is the same.
The Procedure
The doctor performs a scalpel vasectomy by making an incision on one or both sides of the scrotum to access the vas deferens. During the procedure, the doctor will disconnect the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm). The vas deferens are the tubes that are responsible for transporting the sperm out of the testicles.
The surgeon may block the tubes by cutting ,sealing or clamping them. There are various ways to block or cut the vas deferens, such as using heat, tying it off, or using clips.
Post-procedure, the sperm will not be able to move out of the testicles. The entire procedure only takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Recovery
The good news is when you schedule a vasectomy you do not have to worry about a long recovery time. After getting a vasectomy, most men will be able to go back to work in just two or three days. However, you should avoid any heavy lifting.
You can be comfortable with over the counter pain medications for the next 24 hours up to 48 hours.
Within a week you should be able to resume normal exercise. You can expect the bruising and swelling to disappear in about two weeks.
Sexual Activity
As mentioned, within about a week after getting a vasectomy you can typically resume normal sexual activity. Getting a vasectomy should not impact your sexual performance in any way.
Your sex drive should remain the same as it was before the vasectomy. You will be able to get erections and have orgasms just as you did before. In fact, the ejaculation will look the same and feel the same as it did before the procedure.
The only difference is that there are not going to be any sperm inside of the semen. You should report to your doctor right away if you experience changes in your sex drive or sexual function after having a vasectomy.
It is important to note that sterilization will not occur immediately after having a vasectomy. You will want to make sure that you continue to use other forms of birth control until you have your ejaculate tested to make sure that there is no sperm left in it.
It typically takes about 20 ejaculations or around two months. Next, your doctor will test your ejaculate and determined that there is no sperm in it. Only then can you can safely have sex without worrying about impregnating your significant other.
Scheduling a Vasectomy
If you have decided that a vasectomy is the right choice for you, it is time to schedule the procedure. The first step is finding the right doctor. Once you have a doctor, you need to think about when would be a good time to have a few days off to sit on the couch icing your testicles.
Many men choose to have this procedure done during the month of March. This is a great time to sit at home on the couch and watch some great college basketball. You will be able to take a couple of extra days off of work and enjoy those afternoon games that you typically do not get to watch. If you are planning for a March vasectomy, make sure that you schedule it early.
Contact your health insurance company for vasectomy costs and if your procedure will be covered.
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