What is a vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a permanent method for males to prevent having children. It is a form of contraception for those who are sure they do not want more children or any children at all.

In Australia 25,000 people choose vasectomy every year. The procedure is simple and usually done with a local anaesthetic. This means you are awake but don't feel pain.

During a vasectomy your doctor makes a small cut to the tube that normally carries sperm. This prevents sperm from reaching the penis. While your semen is sperm-free, it still looks and feels the same. A vasectomy is difficult to reverse.

How successful is a vasectomy in preventing pregnancy?

Vasectomy is the most effective type of male contraception. Fewer than 1 out of 1,000 people will get pregnant in the first year after sexual activity with someone who has had a vasectomy.

It is an effective contraception to consider and discuss with your partner if you are in a relationship and sure you don't want any or more children.

Where can I have a vasectomy?

You can have a vasectomy at a public or private hospital or clinic.

It will be free of charge if you go to a public hospital with Medicare. If you choose a private hospital you may have to pay. This depends on your private health insurance.

Talk to your doctor and ask about referral options. Also ask your health insurer about the costs and how much of your treatment is covered.

How do I prepare for a vasectomy?

You need a check-up before getting a vasectomy. Your doctor will explain the procedure and check if it's safe for you to have it done. Your doctor will answer any questions you have to make sure it's the right choice for you.

If you're thinking about getting a vasectomy you should consider it a permanent decision. Talk to your doctor if there's any chance you might want to have children in the future. You can choose to freeze and store your sperm before the procedure.

A vasectomy can be done by:

• some general practitioners
• general surgeons — a doctor specialising in general surgeries
• urologists — a doctor who treats conditions of the urinary tract

How is a vasectomy done?

During a vasectomy the doctor cuts a tube called the vas deferens. This tube connects the testes (where sperm is made) to the penis.

After the vasectomy, sperm cannot reach the penis when the man ejaculates (comes). The semen still looks the same, but it no longer has sperm.

A vasectomy can be done:

• in a hospital with you being fully asleep, known as a general anaesthetic
• in a clinic with you being awake and the surgical area is numb, known as a local anaesthetic

The procedure takes about 20 to 40 minutes and usually happens under a local anaesthetic.

What vasectomy procedure will I have?

There are 2 ways you can have a vasectomy procedure:

• Open procedure method — 1 or 2 small openings are made in the front of your scrotum. Your doctor will then cut and seal the vas deferens connected to each testicle. The opening is closed with a stitch or by pressing and sticking the skin edges together.
• No-scalpel vasectomy — 1 or 2 small punctures are made in your scrotum with fine sharp tweezers. Then each vas deferens is cut. No stitches are required for this method.

The result of either procedure is that your sperm can no longer reach your penis when you ejaculate.

What to expect after a vasectomy

After the anaesthetic wears off and for a few days after the procedure you may have:

• bruising in the groin or scrotum area
• pain and swelling in the groin or scrotum area

To help relieve your pain you can use:

• pain relief medicine such as paracetamol
• ice-packs
• tight-fitting supportive underwear

It is important to rest for a few days and avoid heavy lifting to ease the pain and swelling.

Your doctor will explain you how to care for the wound and when you can resume sexual activity.

How soon will a vasectomy work?

It can take several months and up to 20 ejaculations to clear out the sperm in the tube after a vasectomy. A sperm test will be done 3 months after the procedure. This test will tell you if it is safe to stop using other forms of contraception.

Sometimes a vasectomy doesn't work. This is why it is important to use contraception until the test confirms there are no sperm in your semen.

Complications of a vasectomy

A vasectomy is a safe and effective form of permanent contraception. Like any procedure, there are some risks such as:

• bleeding
• infection
• a small lump can form where the vas deferens was cut
• ongoing pain after the procedure

Rarely, the vas deferens can grow back together which can lead to pregnancy.

When should I see my doctor?

You should contact your doctor, medical clinic or local hospital if any of the following happens:

• severe bruising — depending on your skin tone the area may look purple/blue
• severe pain that doesn't go away with paracetamol
• significant swelling
• significant redness around the cut area — this could be a sign of infection

Health effects of a vasectomy

A vasectomy is a permanent form of contraception that does not affect your overall health. Here's what you need to know about its effects on your body and emotional wellbeing:

Does a vasectomy change my libido?

A vasectomy doesn't change your libido (sex drive). It also won't change your ability to reach orgasm (ejaculate).

Where does the sperm go?

Sperm continues to be produced in your testes after the procedure. The body will absorb them safely. The amount and colour of semen you produce should look the same as it did before vasectomy.

Will a vasectomy affect my testosterone levels?

A vasectomy does not affect your testosterone levels. It only prevents semen from mixing with sperm by cutting the vas deferens.

Does a vasectomy prevent sexually transmitted infections?

A vasectomy does not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is important to continue using condoms if there is any risk of STIs.

Does a vasectomy affect my emotional wellbeing?

A vasectomy rarely affects mental health and wellbeing, but can sometimes happen. For example, if you haven't had proper counselling or have existing mental health issues your emotional state may be affected.

Getting good advice and support before the procedure can help reduce this risk.

Can a vasectomy be reversed?

A vasectomy is permanent form of contraception and is hard to reverse. Sometimes it is possible to re-join the vas tubes. This does not guarantee you will be able to have children naturally. The chances of success decrease as more time passes after the procedure.

Another option to consider if you want children and have had a vasectomy is retrieving sperm directly from your testes and use in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Before deciding on a vasectomy, treat it as a permanent decision. If you think there is a chance you may want children in the future, you can ask to have some sperm frozen. Talk to your doctor and your partner (if you have one) before going ahead with the procedure.

Are there any alternatives to a vasectomy?

Your doctor can help you explore many types of contraception methods.

It's important to compare it with other long-term options. For females the similar procedure is called tubal ligation. This is more complicated and expensive. It also involves more surgery than a vasectomy which increases the risks.

If you are thinking about a vasectomy, talk about the risks and benefits with your partner and your doctor. You may also want counselling to talk this decision over.

Resources and support

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

The Health Translations website has information on contraception choices, including information on a vasectomy. This is available in a number of community languages and in simple text.