What is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a permanent method of male contraception. It involves cutting both the tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from your testicles. This prevents sperm from mixing with semen and reaching your penis. A vasectomy should prevent your partner from becoming pregnant.

What are the benefits?

You or your partner should not need to use another method of contraception.

Are there any alternatives?

The only other method of male contraception is to use a condom, but the risk of failure is higher (failure rate: on average 15 in 100 over 1 year).

A sterilisation is a permanent method of female contraception (failure rate: 5 in 1,000 over 1 year).

• hormone implants (failure rate: 5 in 10,000 over 1 year)
• a coil or intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) (failure rate: fewer than 2 in 1,000 over 1 year)
• oral contraceptive pill (failure rate: 8 in 100 over 1 year)

What does the procedure involve?

The procedure is performed under a local or general anaesthetic. The procedure usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Your surgeon will usually make one small cut on each side of your scrotum. Sometimes they will make a single cut on the middle of your scrotum. Your surgeon will cut the tubes that carry sperm from each testicle to your penis and close the ends with stitches, clips or an electric current (cauterisation).

How can I prepare myself for the procedure?

If you smoke, stopping smoking now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.

Regular exercise should help you prepare for the procedure, help you recover and improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Speak to the healthcare team about any vaccinations you may need to reduce your risk of serious illness while you recover. When you come into hospital, practise hand washing and wear a face covering when asked.

General complications of any procedure

The healthcare team are trained to reduce the risk of complications.

Any risk rates given are taken from studies of people who have had this procedure. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you.

Possible complications of this procedure are shown below. Some may be serious.

General complications of any operation

• bleeding during or after the procedure
• infection of the surgical site (wound) or in your scrotum
• allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication
• chest infection. Your risk will be lower if you have stopped smoking and you are free of Covid-19 (coronavirus) symptoms for at least 7 weeks before the procedure

Specific complications of this procedure

• failure of the vasectomy. This means your partner can become pregnant (failure rate: fewer than 2 in 1,000)
• sometimes the sperm can take many months to clear from the semen
• sperm granuloma, where sperm leaks and causes small painful swellings on the end of the vas tube that has been cut. This usually settles but you may need another procedure
• long-term pain in your testicles
• congestive epididymitis, where the tube-like structure that stores sperm gets blocked, causing pressure and pain

Consequences of this procedure

• pain

What happens after the procedure?

You should be able to go home the same day.

To reduce the risk of bleeding, do not ejaculate or do strenuous exercise, like running and riding a bicycle, for 5 to 7 days.

You should be able to return to work after about 2 days (about a week if your work involves strenuous exercise).

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Your doctor will ask you to give one or two samples of your semen after you have ejaculated 20 times following the procedure. The samples will be tested to find out if there are any sperm left. Use another method of contraception until your doctor tells you that the procedure has been a success and you are sperm-free.

Summary

A vasectomy is a procedure to cut the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles. It is a permanent and effective method of male contraception.

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