What is a vasectomy?

• A vasectomy is a permanent method of birth control. It is the surgical operation that a man can have to prevent his partner from getting pregnant.
• A vasectomy is not reversible. Surgery to undo a vasectomy is difficult and does not always work. You must be sure that you do not want any more children before having a vasectomy.

• The tubes that carry sperm are cut so that the sperm cannot reach the penis. When a man ejaculates ("comes") during sex, the fluid does not contain sperm. Without sperm, his partner cannot get pregnant.
• The sperm that is produced is naturally absorbed by the body.

• A vasectomy is almost 100% effective. That means fewer than 1 woman out of 100 women will become pregnant after her partner has a vasectomy.
• You will not be sterile right after a vasectomy. Sperm might be in your tubes for a few weeks. You could get a woman pregnant during this time. A test will be done later to make sure all sperm are blocked and you are sterile. Use other birth control methods until you are tested.
• A vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STD). If you are concerned about infections, use a condom every time you have sex to protect yourself from STD.

How is a vasectomy done?

• Your family doctor might do the vasectomy or refer you to a specialist. Alberta Health Care will pay for a vasectomy.
• A vasectomy takes 15 to 20 minutes and is done in a doctor’s office.
• The doctor freezes the area with a local anesthetic and makes one or two tiny cuts in the skin of the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles).
• The doctor gently pulls out each spermatic duct, cuts it, ties it off and then puts it back into the sac.
• The tiny cuts are closed with a few stitches.

• You will have some bruising, swelling and tenderness in the groin area for a few days.
• You can do light work the next day and heavier work within a week.
• A very small number of men may have more serious problems after a vasectomy. Call your doctor immediately if you have:
• severe bleeding
• bleeding or pus where the skin was cut
• severe pain or swelling in the testicle area

• A vasectomy will not affect your sex drive or your ability to have sex. Your penis, testicles and sex hormones will not change. You will feel the same sensations during sex and will still have an erection and ejaculation. The only difference will be that the fluid you ejaculate will not contain sperm. It will look the same.
• Many couples say sex is more enjoyable after a vasectomy because they do not have to worry about pregnancy.

Questions?  

Visit your local health centre, birth control centre, or your doctor. For confidential information about STD/HIV, call 1-800-772-2437.