Bilateral Vasectomy
This webpage will give you information about bilateral
vasectomy. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is meant to be a permanent method of male
contraception. It involves cutting both the tubes (vas) that carry
sperm from your testicles. This prevents sperm from mixing with
semen and reaching your penis (see figure 1).
a - Before a vasectomy
b - After a bilateral vasectomy
So a vasectomy should stop your partner getting pregnant.
What are the benefits of surgery?
As a vasectomy is meant to be permanent, you or your partner
should no longer need to use another form of contraception.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
There are two common methods of contraception for women, which
have a similarly low failure rate compared to a vasectomy.
- A coil or IUCD.
- Hormone implants.
Other methods of contraception include the oral contraceptive
pill and female sterilisation. For men, the only safe form of
contraception, other than a vasectomy, is to use a condom.
What does the operation involve?
A vasectomy is performed under a local or general anaesthetic.
Your surgeon will make two cuts on each side of your scrotum or
just a single cut in the middle of your scrotum. They will cut the
tubes that carry sperm from each testicle to your penis and then
close the ends.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound or in the scrotum
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Becoming fertile again
- Long-term pain in the testicles
- Congestive epididymitis
- Sperm granuloma
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day. Your testicles will
probably ache for the first few days. You should be able to return
to work after a couple of days. However, if your work involves
strenuous physical activity, you may need to stay off work for
about a week.
About three months after the operation your doctor will ask you
to give two samples of your semen a few weeks apart. The samples
will be tested to find out if there are any sperm left.
Summary
A vasectomy is an operation to cut the tubes that carry sperm
from your testicles. It is a permanent and effective method of male
contraception.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr John Lemberger FRCS
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Boston, Boston Treatment Centre
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital