Vasectomy
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for men who do not want to father any children in future. At London Urologica, our team of experts can offer you advice about treatment options and exceptional patient care.
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What is it for?
Permanent contraception for men
Treatment overview
Vasectomy is a quick and simple surgical procedure which stops sperm being released into semen, preventing pregnancy. It is a quick and convenient treatment that is considered 99% effective. It can be a suitable option if you are certain that you do not want to father any children in the future.
Vasectomy is usually carried out under local anaesthetic that is injected into the scrotum. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the testes.
A cut is then made to the vas deferens – the tube that carries sperm from the testes to the semen – and a small section removed to stop it re-joining.
The ends are sealed with heat, stitches or clips. Dissolvable stitches are used to repair the incision. At London Urologica we also offer vasectomy under general anaesthetic and as keyhole surgery (no-scalpel vasectomy). Your doctor will discuss these options with you.
A vasectomy is usually carried out as a day case so you can go home the same day.
At London Urologica, our team of experts can discuss whether it will be suitable for you, as well as provide advice on other methods of contraception. There is a low risk of infection following a vasectomy or of sperm leaking into the testes, which will require treatment.
FAQ's
Recovery from a vasectomy is normally straightforward and you should be able to return to work and your normal activities after one or two days.
You will need to abstain from having sex for the first seven days.
After around 8 to 12 weeks, you will be able to have a test at London Urologica to confirm that vasectomy has been successful and that your semen no longer contains sperm.
You may experience some bruising, soreness and swelling after a vasectomy but this normally fades over a few days. You may also notice blood in your semen for a short time.
Some men experience some pain which fades in the weeks after a vasectomy. Occasionally, pain may last longer than this.
There is a low risk of infection following a vasectomy or of sperm leaking into the testes, which will require treatment. An advantage of vasectomy is that it does not affect hormone levels, so your libido (sex drive) will be unaffected. Vasectomy does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Vasectomy should be considered permanent. Although an operation can be carried out to attempt to reverse the procedure, it is often not successful.
If you are concerned that you might change your mind about having a vasectomy in the future, you should consider delaying the procedure until a time when you might be more comfortable with your decision.
There are many other reversible contraceptive options available and our team at London Urologica will be happy to discuss these with you.
Having a vasectomy is a significant decision. Although it is not a legal requirement, we recommend that you discuss your decision with your partner before deciding to go ahead.
At London Urologica, our team will be able to provide all the guidance and advice you need, including offering counselling if required.