Vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure for permanent male fertility control, in which the tube leading from each testicle is cut and sealed in order to stop sperm from reaching the prostate, where it mixes with the semen.This tube is called the vas deferens, hence “vasectomy.” Without sperm in the semen, a man cannot make his partner pregnant.

A vasectomy leaves the patient unchanged except for the fact that the sperm cord (vas) is blocked. The testes still produce sperm, but they die and are absorbed by the body. The level of male hormone remains the same and all sexual characteristics remain the same. Ability to have an erection is also entirely unchanged.

This is usually an office procedure done under local anesthesia, with the procedure taking less than 30 minutes. The urologist at the center have been performing no scalpel vasectomies for over 20 years.

If You have been scheduled for a bilateral vasectomy, for a successful outcome the following is necessary:

1. Please shave your scrotum at home prior to the procedure.
2. If the procedure is being done at the ambulatory surgical center, then you must not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before the procedure.
3. If the procedure is being performed in the office:
   1. Please take whatever preoperative medication you physician gave you.
   2. Bring a scrotal support, or tight underwear with you.

After the procedure:

1. Use an ice pack (frozen peas or frozen corn) for 4 hours. This should be placed on the scrotal sac.
2. Sit in a warm tub of water daily for 10 –15 minutes. Start this the day after the procedure.
3. Make an appointment to be seen in the office approximately one (1) week after the procedure.
4. One (1) month after the vasectomy, you must bring a semen sample to the office for analysis. A second (2nd) sample is required one (1) month later.
5. You may have some scrotal swelling, scrotal discoloration and the appearance of some lumps in the scrotal sac. This is normal.