The Vasectomy Procedure Explained In Easy Terms
A vasectomy is a usual option that is brought up whenever the conversation turns to birth control methods of a permanent nature. The usual two choices discussed are tubal ligation and vasectomy. These two procedures are both surgical and both permanent birth control methods. The vasectomy is safe, relatively easy to perform and is highly effective (1% – 2% failure rate). The vasectomy is a popular birth control option for males and couples who are certain that they either do not want children or they have all the children they want to conceive. Over 600,000 Americans make the choice to have a vasectomy and 30 million males have had the procedure worldwide.
There are many reasons for choosing a vasectomy as the birth control method including:
* Not wanting to have any biological children
* Having had all the children desired in a family
* Medical issues that would be either harmful to the child or for other reasons (cost, genetic diseases) that biological children are not a good idea
* The male or a couple decide that they cannot afford to raise a child
* The male or couple feel strongly that they should not add to the world population or that kids already born should be cared for or adopted before adding more children to the population
* Sometimes it is just a personal choice not to have the responsibility of being a parent
* Those who enjoy having sex without the concerns of having an unwanted pregnancy
* Those faced with the fact that for them, other methods of birth control are not available or safe for them medically.
Any surgical procedure has associated risks and deciding to have a vasectomy should never be a rushed decision. The information about the procedure, and the reason(s) for wanting a vasectomy should be explored in depth because it is a permanent birth control method. A vasectomy reversal is possible but the procedure is both costly and not guaranteed to work. All options for birth control should be explored before choosing which method is the right one. If either of the sexual partners is under age 25, a vasectomy is probably not a good idea and should be discussed with a medical professional regarding changing circumstances and the long-term and permanency of the procedure.
A vasectomy can be performed in a doctor’s office, medical clinic or hospital and there are many professionals who can perform the procedure including a qualified medical doctor, someone who specializes in urological or reproductive procedures, an urologist and a surgeon.
A vasectomy is done to prevent the sperm from mixing with the semen, thus preventing pregnancy from occurring.
The anesthetic is applied either by an injection, or a “no-needle” jet injection device.
Traditional vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that can be performed at the doctor’s office, in a medical clinic or in a hospital. Two incisions are made in the thin skin of the scrotum, one on either side in order to expose the small vas deferens (tubes that the sperm travel in). The vas deferens is lifted out, cut and tied. Sometimes the ends are cauterized (burned). The tubes are returned to the scrotum and the incisions are closed with stitches.
The no-suture method involves locating the tubes, clipping them in place, using a tiny puncture to open the skin and remove the tube, cut, tie, clip or burn the ends and replace them back into the scrotum.
The clip vasectomy uses clips to leave a permanent staple-like device in the scrotum that seals the ends of the tubes.
Laser vasectomy is another method used in which an opening is still made through the thin scrotum skin.
Recommended Reading
- What To Expect With A Vasectomy
- Changing Your Mind After The Vasectomy Is Done
- What Happens When You Have A Vasectomy
- Know The Facts About Your Vasectomy
- Sage Advice For Choosing A Urologist You Can Trust For Your Vasectomy Procedure
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