Safety Facts About The Male Form Of Sterilization
A vasectomy is an uncomplicated surgical procedure which renders a man unable to father children. In essence, a man becomes sterile and approximately half a million men in this country opt for this elective procedure. The vasectomy is only second to female contraception for means of birth control.
Basically, in a vasectomy, the doctor blocks or ties off the vas deferens which is tubes that transport the sperm to the semen. The sperm are produced in the testes and then stored in the epididymis until ready for the ejaculate. The vas deferens tubes are present in both testes and must both be blocked in order for this surgery to work as a permanent means of birth control.
The Traditional Approach to Vasectomy
When a doctor follows the traditional approach to vasectomy, this means they make a tiny incision in the scrotum for each vas deferens tube. The area is numbed with an anesthetic which may be administered via a needle injection or through a new method which uses a pressurized jet spray to administer the numbing agent. The incision exposes the vas deferens tube which is then cut and often tied and cauterized before sewing back up the incision.
No-Scalpel Vasectomy Approach
You can thank the Chinese for developing the method by which no scalpel is used in the vasectomy procedure. Instead, the doctor uses a clamp to hold the vas deferens in place once located under the skin of the scrotum. Then, the doctor uses a special piece of equipment which placed a small pierce in the skin and then enlarges the opening a bit to cut the vas deferens and tie it off.
There is little bleeding with this technique and no use of the scalpel. As a result, this particular method often does not even require stitches to close the puncture mark as it would heal fast. The no-scalpel method is just as safe as the traditional approach but there are fewer complications and also less pain. Men who undergo this particular type of vasectomy are less likely to form any infection at the site and will also experience less bruising and swelling. The drawback is that some doctors are not well-versed on the procedure.
Safety Concerns
For the most part, a vasectomy is a safe procedure and a large percentage of men have nothing more than a dull ache and possibly some swelling and bruising for a few days. A rare few experience more in-depth complications like infection or even allergic reactions to the anesthetic.
It is important to note however that even with the vasectomy, men need to have an alternate form of birth control in place for a few months afterward. This is because it takes time for the sperm to make its way out of the reproductive system. Regular doctor follow-up visits are necessary so that the ejaculate can be analyzed for sperm. Your doctor will let you know when the semen is given the all-clear of sperm.
While the vasectomy does prevent pregnancy, you still have to be careful of sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, if you have different sex partners, unless both of you submit to testing and are given the all-clear, it is important to wear a condom as it will help prevent the spread of disease.
Overall, the vasectomy is a safe procedure with very few problems. A man’s masculinity is intact and there are no changes to the hormone levels either. It is just a safe and permanent form of male birth control.
Recommended Reading
- What To Expect With A Vasectomy
- What Happens When You Have A Vasectomy
- Cannot Always Count Vasectomies As A Miracle Contraceptive Fix
- Eight Facts About The No Needle Vasectomy
- Know The Facts About Your Vasectomy
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