You will have a consultation with your doctor before the procedure. Your partner or support
person is welcome to be with you during the consultation.

• We will ask you about your decision to have a vasectomy.
• We will ask about your medical history, especially any past surgeries on your testicles/scrotum or hernia repair.
• We will explain the procedure, as well as the risks.
• You’re welcome to ask any questions you might have.

The doctor will examine you to make sure that both your vas deferens can be felt.

Vasectomy is usually done under a local anaesthetic. This means you are awake but have an injection into the skin so that you do not feel pain. Local anaesthetic is injected into a small area of skin in the centre of the scrotum. A tiny cut or puncture (approx 0.5-1cm) is then made to this numbed skin.

Each vas deferens are then accessed through the cut skin. It can be cut with a surgical knife (scalpel) or using diathermy. Diathermy is electrical current that cuts and seals the ends of the tubes. It stops bleeding at the same time. Usually a small piece of each vas deferens is removed. The hole is so small you may not need any stitches. If you do, dissolvable stitches are used. The operation takes about 15-20 minutes.

There is usually some discomfort and bruising for a few days afterwards. This normally goes
away quickly. The discomfort can be helped by wearing tight-fitting supportive underpants day and night for a week or so after the operation. We also recommend applying an ice pack regularly in the 2 days after the procedure to minimise bruising and swelling. It is also best not to do heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for two weeks or so after the operation.

BENEFITS OF A VASECTOMY?
It is permanent and you don’t have to think of contraception again. It is easier to do and more effective than female sterilisation, and with a shorter recovery time.

DISADVANTAGES OF A VASECTOMY?
It may take a few months before the semen is free from sperm. As it is permanent, some
people regret having a vasectomy, especially if their circumstances change. Vasectomy does
not protect you from sexually transmitted infections.

Most men have no problems after a vasectomy. Problems are uncommon but may include
the following:

• As with any operation or cut to the skin, there is a small risk of bleeding or a wound infection.
  The bruising around the operation site is sometimes quite marked. However, it will go in a week or so.
  Rarely, sperm may leak into the scrotum and form a swelling which may need treatment.
• A small number of men have a dull ache in the scrotum for a few weeks or months after the operation. This usually settles within three months.
• A small number of men develop a pain which does not settle over time. This can be mild or severe. It may be in the scrotum, the penis, the testicles (testes) or the lower tummy.

Some sperm survive in the remaining connecting part of the vas deferens for several weeks after vasectomy. These can get into the semen for a while after the operation. About twelve
weeks after the operation you will need to produce a semen test. This is looked at under the
microscope to check for sperm.

If there are no sperm in this sample, you will be given the all clear. If not, you will need another test a month later. You will be told when the test shows the operation has been successful.

Until this time you should continue using another method of contraception.