Vasectomy

VasectomyA vasectomy is a procedure that essentially sterilizes a man. The procedure is often used when a man does not want to be able to impregnate a woman anymore. Vasectomies take very little time and have a relatively short healing time. Our Los Angeles urologists perform vasectomies as minimally invasive procedures.

A vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control as it prevents the release of sperm ejaculation. This procedure can be reversed, it’s just not as easy and men are usually advised to consider the long-term emotional and physical effects of a vasectomy before deciding to go through with a vasectomy.

The Vasectomy Procedure

During the procedure, our doctors close or block the tubes that carry sperm in a manner that prevents sperm from entering into the seminal stream (ejaculate). When the vasa deferentia (tubes that transport sperm from the testicles and mix in seminal fluid from the prostate gland) are closed, sperm cannot leave a man’s body and cause pregnancy. After a vasectomy is performed, sperm is still produced by the body but the body eventually breaks down the excess sperm and reabsorbs it.

Due to the simplicity of the surgery, a vasectomy is usually performed in a physician’s office or at an outpatient center like La Peer. A vasectomy takes less than 30 minutes to complete, and after a short recovery (usually less than an hour), the patient can be sent home to rest.

Most patients find that they can resume their regular lifestyle routines within a week of surgery and do so with minimal discomfort.

Are There Any Sexual Side Effects?

In the long run, a vasectomy will not interfere with your sex drive, the ability to have erections, the sensation of orgasm, or the ability to ejaculate. You may, however, have occasional aching in your testicles during sexual arousal for a few months after the surgery.

Can a Woman Get Sterilized?

Yes, there is a sterilization procedure for women. This procedure is known as tubal ligation and sometimes referred to as having one’s “tubes tied”. Similar a vasectomy, tubal ligation is done through minimally invasive surgery. While previously performed as a traditional open surgery, tubal ligations are now performed laparoscopically.

Tubal ligation can be reversed. However, the procedure is not as effective as the initial procedure, similar to that of the male sterilization procedure.

Contact a Urologist at La Peer

Although vasectomies are reversible, the reversal procedure is more difficult. A lot of thought and consideration should be made before scheduling a vasectomy. If you have given it a lot of thought, you should consult with an experience urologist to find out your options.

The Los Angeles urologists at La Peer Health Systems were trained at some of the nation’s finest medical schools, and we utilize some of the latest innovative and modern surgical techniques that are minimally invasive and highly effective.

Call 855.360.9119 today or fill out our patient contact form to schedule your vasectomy at our state-of-the-art Beverly Hills outpatient surgical center.

Next, read about Targeted Biopsies.