Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Services
  • Urology
  • Vasectomy
Content

Vasectomy

A vasectomy is surgery to cut the vas deferens. These are the tubes that carry a sperm from testicles to the urethra. After a vasectomy, sperm cannot move out of the testes. A man who has had a successful vasectomy cannot make a woman pregnant.

This animation shows a vasectomy procedure

Alternative Names

Sterilization surgery - male; No-scalpel vasectomy; NSV; Family planning - vasectomy; Contraception - vasectomy

Description

Vasectomy is most often done in the surgeon's office using local anesthesia. You will be awake but not feel any pain.

  • After your scrotum is shaved and cleaned, the surgeon will inject a shot of numbing medicine into the area.
  • The surgeon will make a small cut in the upper part of your scrotum. The vas deferens will then be tied off and cut apart.
  • The wound will be closed with stitches or surgical glue.

You may have a vasectomy without a surgical cut. This is called a no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV). For this procedure:

  • The surgeon will find the vas deferens by feeling your scrotum.
  • You will get numbing medicine.
  • The surgeon will then make a tiny hole in the skin of your scrotum and then tie off and cut a part of the vas deferens.

In a regular vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum. In a no-scalpel vasectomy, a sharp instrument is used to pierce the skin and make a single opening. A stitch or surgical glue is used to seal the openings in both forms of the procedure.

Open Article Detail

Why the Procedure is Performed

Vasectomy may be recommended for men who are sure they do not want to get a woman pregnant in the future. A vasectomy makes a man sterile (unable to get a woman pregnant).

A vasectomy is not recommended as a short-term form of birth control. The procedure to reverse a vasectomy is a much more complicated operation.

Vasectomy may be a good choice for a man who:

  • Is in a relationship, and both partners agree that they do not want children or additional children. They do not want to use, or cannot use, other forms of birth control.
  • Is in a relationship and a pregnancy would be unsafe for the woman partner because of health problems.
  • Is in a relationship, and one or both partners have genetic disorders that they do not want to pass on.
  • Does not want to be bothered by having to use other forms of birth control during sexual activity.

Vasectomy may not be a good choice for a man who:

  • Is in a relationship with someone who has not decided on whether to have children in the future.
  • Is in an unstable or stressful relationship.
  • Is considering the operation just to please a partner.
  • Wants to have children later by storing sperm or by reversing the vasectomy.
  • Is young and may want to make a different decision in the future.
  • Is single when deciding to have a vasectomy. This includes men who are divorced, widowed, or separated.

Risks

There is no serious risk to vasectomy. Your semen will be tested in the months after the operation to make sure it does not contain sperm.

As with any surgical procedure, infection, swelling, or prolonged pain can occur. Careful following of aftercare instructions reduces these risks significantly.

Very rarely, the vas deferens can grow back together again. If this happens, sperm can mix with semen. This would make it possible for you to make a woman pregnant.

Before the Procedure

Two weeks before your vasectomy, tell your health care provider about of the medicines you take, including those bought without a prescription and vitamins, supplements, and herbs.

You may need to limit or stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and other medicines that affect blood clotting for 10 days before your surgery.

On the day of your surgery, wear loose, comfortable clothes. Clean your scrotum area well. Take the medicines your provider told you take.

Bring a scrotal support with you to the surgery.

After the Procedure

You should be able to return home as soon as you feel well. You can return to work the next day if you do not do heavy physical work. Most men return to work within 2 to 3 days. You should be able to return to your normal physical activities in 3 to 7 days. It is normal to have some swelling and bruising of the scrotum after the procedure. It should go away within 2 weeks.

You should wear a scrotal support for 3 to 4 days after the procedure. You can use an ice pack to reduce swelling. Pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), may help relieve discomfort. You can have sexual intercourse as soon as you feel ready, most often about a week after the surgery. You must use some form of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy until you know your semen is free of sperm.

The vasectomy is considered successful only after your doctor has tested the semen to make sure no more sperm are in it. It is safe to stop using other forms of birth control at this point.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Vasectomy does not affect a man's ability to have an erection or orgasm, or to ejaculate semen. A vasectomy does NOT prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A vasectomy does NOT increase your risk of prostate cancer or testicular disease.

Your sperm count gradually decreases after a vasectomy. After about 3 months, sperm are no longer present in the semen. You must continue to use birth control to prevent pregnancy until your semen sample is totally free of sperm.

Most men are satisfied with vasectomy. Most couples enjoy not having to use birth control.

References

Celigoj FA, Costabile RA. Surgery of the scrotum and seminal vesicles. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 41.

Wilson CL. Vasectomy. In: Pfenninger JL, Fowlder GC, eds. Pfenninger & Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 126.

Related Articles

From Sutter Health

    Talking To Your MD

      Self Care

        Other Related Content

          Patient Information

          Couple in kitchen looking at digital tablet

          Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

          • Accepted Health Plans
          • Tips for Choosing a Doctor
          • Health Insurance Guide

          Find a Doctor Who Fits Your Needs

          Related Videos

          CPMC Evaluation for Living Kidney Donors

          Kidney Transplant Living Donor Screening

          CPMC Evaluation for Living Kidney Donors

          Kidney Transplant Living Donor Screening
          da Vinci® Technology - Robotic Nephrectomy

          da Vinci® Technology - Robotic Nephrectomy

          da Vinci® Technology - Robotic Nephrectomy

          da Vinci® Technology - Robotic Nephrectomy
          Explanation of a "Kidney Paired Donation" or living donor swap.

          Kidney Transplant: What is Kidney Paired Donation?

          Explanation of a "Kidney Paired Donation" or living donor swap.

          Kidney Transplant: What is Kidney Paired Donation?
          CPMC Surgeon Describes Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

          Kidney Transplant Surgery: Technique and Risks

          CPMC Surgeon Describes Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

          Kidney Transplant Surgery: Technique and Risks
          Living Kidney Donation at Sutter CPMC, San Francisco

          Video Overview Living Kidney Donation

          Living Kidney Donation at Sutter CPMC, San Francisco

          Video Overview Living Kidney Donation
          CPMC Sutter Transplant Doctors Describe Long-Term Outcomes for Kidney Donors

          Kidney Transplant: How do Living Donors Fare?

          CPMC Sutter Transplant Doctors Describe Long-Term Outcomes for Kidney Donors

          Kidney Transplant: How do Living Donors Fare?

          Doctor Profiles

          The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
          Genevieve H. Sweet, M.D.

          Genevieve H. Sweet, M.D.

          • Urology

          Kenneth H. Ferguson, M.D.

          Kenneth H. Ferguson, M.D.

          • Urology

          Brian K. Golden, M.D.

          Brian K. Golden, M.D.

          • Urology

          Jonathan Eandi, M.D.

          Jonathan Eandi, M.D.

          • Urology

          David S. Yee, M.D., MPH

          David S. Yee, M.D., MPH

          • Urology

          Matthew A. Janiga, M.D.

          Matthew A. Janiga, M.D.

          • Urology

          Kirk M. Anderson, M.D.

          Kirk M. Anderson, M.D.

          • Urology

          Kiumars R. Hekmat, M.D., FACS

          Kiumars R. Hekmat, M.D., FACS

          • Urology

          Ina W. Kim, M.D., MPH

          Ina W. Kim, M.D., MPH

          • Urology

          View All Related Doctors

          The Sutter Health Network of Care
          Expertise to fit your needs
          Primary Care

          Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

          Specialty Care

          Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

          Emergency Care

          For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

          Urgent Care

          After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

          Walk-In Care

          Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

          About Sutter

        • About Our Network
        • Annual Report
        • Awards
        • Community Benefit
        • Contact Us
        • News
        • Giving
        • Find Care

        • Birth Centers
        • Care Centers
        • Emergency Rooms
        • Hospitals
        • Imaging
        • Labs
        • Surgery Centers
        • Urgent Care
        • Walk-In Care
        • View All >
        • Featured Services

        • Behavioral Health
        • Cancer Services
        • Family Medicine
        • Home Health and Hospice
        • Orthopedics
        • Pediatrics
        • Pregnancy
        • Primary Care
        • Women's Health
        • View All >
        • Patient Resources

        • Accepted Health Plans
        • Classes and Events
        • Estimate Costs
        • Flu Resources
        • Health and Wellness
        • Medical Records
        • Medicare
        • My Health Online
        • Pay a Bill
        • Symptom Checker
        • Our Team

        • For Employees
        • Physician Careers
        • Recruiting Events
        • Sutter Careers
        • Vendors
        • Volunteers
          • ADA Accessibility
          • Contact
          • Privacy
          • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

          • LinkedIn Opens new window
          • YouTube Opens new window
          • Facebook Opens new window
          • Twitter Opens new window
          • Glassdoor Opens new window
          • Instagram Opens new window

          Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

          Cookie Policy

          We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

          Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences