Vasectomy

At Carolina Urology Partners your vasectomy will be performed safely and easily. A vasectomy is a permanent and effective means for preventing pregnancy. You should only consider a vasectomy if you and your partner do not wish to have children at anytime in the future.

Understandably, some men are apprehensive about the vasectomy procedure because it involves such a delicate area of the body. You can rest assured that our highly trained staff and experienced physicians will perform the vasectomy with great precision and care. It should also be noted that a vasectomy will not affect the man’s libido, ejaculation, sexual pleasure, or his erections.

The discomfort after a vasectomy is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications, scrotum support, and ice.

You will begin by having an in office consultation. The procedure will start by isolating the vas deferens through the scrotum skin. A local anesthetic will be given.

A vasectomy works by cutting and separating the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis. This prevents the sperm from exiting the penis during ejaculation. After a vasectomy, your body will continue to produce sperm, but they will die and be reabsorbed. A vasectomy also will not affect your testosterone (male hormone) levels or your ability to have an erection.

Your doctor may ask you to stop taking vitamin supplements, aspirin or ibuprofen several days to one week before your vasectomy. Anti-inflammatory medications thin the blood and could cause excessive bleeding. Notify your urologist if you are taking any blood thinners. You may eat a light meal before your procedure.

Your doctor may prescribe a relaxing medication. You may be offered, if desired, “laughing gas” depending on location of the procedure. These medications do require a driver.

• Your procedure can be performed as an outpatient surgery, although most vasectomies are done in the office using local anesthesia.
• Your urologist will make 1-2 small incisions (less than 1 centimeter) in the scrotum or perform a “no scalpel” vasectomy in which a special instrument makes a puncture instead of a small cut.
• Various techniques are then used to block the passage of sperm through the vas deferens.

• Most patients can drive home afterwards.
• To minimize discomfort, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers, an ice pack and/or an athletic supporter.
• Contact your doctor if you experience fever, chills, increasing pain or significant swelling and bruising.
• Your doctor will give you instructions for resuming work and sexual activity, typically 1 week. Try to remain off your feet for 3 days.
• You must use other forms of birth control until your doctor assures you that your vasectomy is completely effective. This may take several months until all of the sperm left in the upper part of the vas deferens is ejaculated.

Vasectomies may be reversible, but you should not assume your procedure can be reversed. Talk with your doctor to learn more. Learn more about the options and possibilities for a vasectomy reversal, including the patency rate.

All of our providers perform vasectomies.