Vasectomy

What is vasectomy?

A vasectomy is considered a permanent form of sterilization. The procedure seals off the ends of the vas deferens, preventing sperm from mixing with semen. After a vasectomy, you will no longer be able to father a child naturally. While vasectomy reversal is possible, it is not always successful and can be costly.

Why is vasectomy performed?

Vasectomy is safe and effective for preventing pregnancy, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. With a failure rate of less than 0.5%, it is more effective than any other form of birth control.

How do I know if I am a candidate for vasectomy?

If you are considering a vasectomy, it is important to have an open discussion with your healthcare provider.

You may be a candidate for a vasectomy if any of the following applies to you:

• You are certain you do not want children in the future
• You or your partner have a genetic disorder you do not want to pass on to a child
• Pregnancy would pose a health risk to your partner

What can I expect before vasectomy?

Before a vasectomy, consult with your healthcare provider about any potential risks. 

Be sure to inform your provider if you:

• Have allergies to local anesthetics
• Have had prior surgery on the scrotum
• Have a skin condition affecting the genital area
• Experience easy bleeding or bruising
• Take blood-thinning medications

Shave the front of the scrotum and the base of the penis the day before the procedure to make the process easier and help with healing. You can drive yourself to the appointment unless your doctor prescribes an anti-anxiety medication, such as Valium®, to help you relax. Make sure to eat and drink properly on the day of the procedure.

What can I expect during vasectomy?

The procedure begins with an injection of local anesthetic to numb the skin and tissue around the vas deferens. Once the area is numb, your surgeon will make a small incision on each side of the scrotum to access the vas deferens.

Each vas deferens will be:

• Isolated and secured using clips or ties
• Partially removed by excising a small segment
• Sealed through cauterization of the opening

Once complete, the ends of the vas deferens are placed back in position and your surgeon will check for any bleeding before closing the incisions. The same process is repeated on the other side. A dissolvable stitch will be placed in each incision, followed by application of Bacitracin or a similar ointment to help prevent infection. A jockstrap will be provided to support the scrotum during recovery at home.

What can I expect after vasectomy?

While vasectomy is a safe procedure with a low complication rate, temporary side effects may occur.

Possible complication include: 

• Epididymitis (infection or inflammation of the epididymis)
• Persistent testicular or scrotal pain
• Significant scrotal swelling or bruising
• Vasectomy failure
• Wound infection

Apply ice on and off at home after the procedure. Be sure to place the ice over your underwear rather than directly on the skin. You may also need over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol® or Advil®, to manage discomfort. Your healthcare provider will provide additional recovery guidelines.

Following a vasectomy, you may experience bruising, swelling, and mild pain, which typically improve within a few days.

During the first week of recovery from vasectomy, avoid: 

• Heavy lifting, bending, or straining
• Sexual activity and ejaculation
• Swimming or bathing

After one week, you can gradually return to all normal activities as tolerated.

A vasectomy isn’t considered successful until a post-vasectomy semen test confirms no sperm remains. This test is performed 3 months after your procedure. Continue using alternative birth control until your doctor confirms your semen is sperm-free. It may take up to 3 months or at least 20 ejaculations to clear any remaining sperm from your semen.

Care Team Approach

At UT Health Austin, we take a multidisciplinary approach to your care. This means you will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines caring for you in one place to avoid having to schedule multiple appointments with providers at locations all over the city. Your care team will include a board-certified and fellowship-trained urologist with extensive experience in the medical and surgical treatment of the urinary system and the male genital tract who works alongside a team of health experts to help you achieve the best possible outcomes and improve your overall quality of life. We also collaborate with our colleagues at the Dell Medical School and The University of Texas at Austin to utilize the latest research, diagnostic, and treatment techniques, allowing us to deliver highly specialized procedures and offer personalized treatment options with a focus on increasing overall quality of life. We are committed to communicating and coordinating your care with your other healthcare providers to ensure that we are providing you with comprehensive, whole-person care.

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