Between March Madness and the Master’s, there are prime opportunities approaching to schedule a vasectomy and make the most out of your recovery time. That being said, we want you to be informed before your appointment.

Here is what you should know about the vasectomy process and all it entails:

Purpose: With the exception of abstinence, vasectomy is the most effective form of birth control. Only 1-2 women out of 1000, will get pregnant the year after their partner has a vasectomy.

Process: A vasectomy is a minor procedure in which the drainage of sperm out of the testicle is interrupted. The result is an ejaculate that is without sperm. For a conventional vasectomy, 1 or 2 small cuts are made in the skin of the scrotum to reach the vas deferens. The vas deferens is cut and a small piece may be removed, leaving a short gap between the 2 ends. Next, the urologist may sear the ends of the vas, and then tie the cut ends with a suture. These steps are then repeated on the other vas, either through the same cut or through a new one. The scrotal cuts may be closed with dissolvable stitches or allowed to close on their own.

Recovery: The recovery time needed after a vasectomy is relatively short. You will need to rest for at least 24 hours, and participate in minimal activity for 2-3 days post-surgery. Avoid sports and heavy-lifting to prevent scrotum pain and/or bleeding.

Possible side effects include:

• Bleeding or a blood clot (hematoma) inside the scrotum.
• Blood in your semen.
• Bruising of your scrotum.
• Infection of the surgery site (your doctor will tell you how to prevent this)
• Mild pain, discomfort or swelling

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the above.

If you have any more questions regarding vasectomies, reach out to your local Athens Area Urology office today using our website.