Vasectomy Procedure Near Phoenix

The urologists at Southeast Valley Urology proudly treat patients in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mesa areas and provide the vasectomy procedure as a form of male sterilization. If you are considering a vasectomy, please call (480) 924-7333 to schedule a consultation at our urology clinic in Gilbert, AZ to discuss the benefits and risks involved.

What You Should Know Before Your Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a form of birth control during which the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm, are cut. When the tube is cut, there is no way for sperm to be released from the penis. This procedure is considered a permanent form of birth control, but it is possible to have a reversal surgery should the patient change their mind in the future.

What Are The Benefits of A Vasectomy?

It is recommended that men only get a vasectomy when they are certain that they no longer wish to have children. It is the preferred choice for many couples because:

• The use of male birth control (condoms) or female birth control (pills, IUDs, etc.) is no longer needed.
• The procedure is almost 100 percent certain to prevent pregnancy.
• It is much less expensive than female sterilization.

What Are The Types of Vasectomy?

In most cases, a vasectomy will be performed in-office and is considered an outpatient procedure. Full anesthesia is not required, only a local anesthetic is necessary. There are two ways to complete this procedure.

Traditional Vasectomy

The surgeon will use a scalpel to create two small incisions on either side of the scrotum. The surgeon will remove a small section of the vas deferens. The tubes are tied, or cauterized so that they are closed and can no longer transport sperm.

No-Scalpel Vasectomy

A no-scalpel vasectomy does not use incisions, rather, the surgeon is able to access the vas deferens through small holes using a sharp instrument opposed to a scalpel blade. The tubes are then tied, or cauterized so that they are closed and can no longer transport sperm. Sutures will be placed to close the opening(s).

What Are The Benefits of a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

Any type of vasectomy presents a number of advantages to each potential patient. Men who are looking to avoid future children in a way that is safe, effective, and affordable are often considered primary candidates for this kind of procedure.

Aside from the regular benefits of a vasectomy, the no-scalpel procedure also allows for:

• Shorter recovery time
• Reduced risk of complications such as infection or bleeding
• The ability to resume sexual activities much sooner
• No scarring
• The ability to perform the procedure from one of our convenient urology clinic locations

Patients should expect a mild amount of discomfort following their no-scalpel vasectomy. This pain should begin to gradually decrease almost immediately, though a majority of our patients report feeling little to no pain at all.

We recommend that patients rest for at least one or two days post-procedure. Shortly after this period you should be able to return to regular activities. If you are unsure about whether or not it is safe to engage in any routine task, please consult with your physician.

Are There Major Risks to Having a Vasectomy?

The most common side effects after a vasectomy are mild pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Of course, it is still possible for more severe issues to occur, though they are incredibly rare. These include:

• Infection
• Chronic pain
• Failure to prevent pregnancy
• Granuloma (inflammation caused by leaking sperm)
• Spermatocele formation (a small cyst of the upper testicle region)
• Hydrocele (a fluid-filled sac of tissue that grows within the scrotum)

Individuals at risk for more serious complications include those who have suffered testicular cancer or testicular disease, though even in these outlying groups rarely encounter serious side effects caused by a vasectomy. Be sure to discuss your own individual risk factors with your urologist to determine if a vasectomy is a safe option for you.

Will a Vasectomy Affect My Sexual Function?

No. A vasectomy has absolutely no proven effect on a man’s sex drive, sexual functions, or pleasure during sex. There are many common myths surrounding this particular question, though all evidence clearly shows that the only difference a man should notice after a vasectomy compared to his life before is that he is no longer able to father children.

How Effective Is a Vasectomy?

Please be very aware that the results of a vasectomy are not immediate. Your urologist will need to test the patient’s sperm in the weeks following a vasectomy to determine if the procedure was in fact successful at preventing the production and transfer of sperm through the vas deferens. During this time, men are instructed not to engage in unprotected sex, as this could lead to a potential pregnancy.

A vasectomy is more than 99% effective. Of the few cases in which a pregnancy does occur after a vasectomy, a majority are within the first year after the procedure is performed.

What If I Change My Mind?

There is a procedure for that as well! A vasectomy reversal may be offered to men who have previously undergone a vasectomy and later wish to conceive a child.

It is of course advised for patients to carefully consider this possibility before they complete a vasectomy, as vasectomy reversal procedures are not guaranteed to be effective. Men may also consider storing their sperm in a sperm bank prior to a vasectomy as a sort of safeguard to this potential situation.

Recovery After the Procedure

Immediately following a vasectomy, there will be bruising and swelling, but those symptoms should subside after a few days. Apply ice packs every few hours to help control these symptoms. Wear tight-fitting underwear so that the scrotum is provided extra support.

Get plenty of bed rest during the first week. At the very least, stay off of your feet for two or three days. Avoid bathing for about 48 hours because this will allow the incisions to heal faster and prevent infection. Take the antibiotics that your doctor provides.

Most patients are able to return to their normal lives after one week.

Sex After a Vasectomy

Wait at least one week before having sexual intercourse. Keep in mind, you may not be sterile right away. Ejaculate may still contain sperm and may continue to for several months after the procedure. After a few months, the doctor will check sperm levels to confirm that it is declining until it reaches zero.

The vasectomy will not affect your sex drive and orgasms. Occasionally, men feel a slight pressure in their testicles when aroused, but eventually, that feeling will go away.

Schedule Your Vasectomy Procedure in Gilbert, AZ Today!

If you are considering the vasectomy procedure as a form of male birth control, contact Southeast Valley Urology to discuss the benefits of the procedure and your candidacy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Simoncini and Dr. Shaba at our urology clinic in Gilbert, AZ, please call (480) 924-7333 today!