No Scalpel Vasectomy

A new key-hole operation

How can I be sure I want a Vasectomy?

Be absolutely sure you don’t want to father a child under any circumstances. Talk to your partner, its essential to make the decision together. Consider other kinds of birth control as well. A vasectomy might not be right for you if you are very young, your current relationship is not stable, you are having the vasectomy just to please your partner or if you are under a lot of stress.

When can I start having sex again?

After one week, but remember to use some other kind of birth control until you are informed that you are sterile.

Does Vasectomy cause any medical problems?

Medical experts, including special panels convened by The World Health Organisation, have concluded that vasectomy is a safe procedure. A number of studies have examined the long term health effects of vasectomy and the research evidence continues to be reassuring and suggests that vasectomised men are no more likely than other men to develop heart disease, cancer, or any other illnesses. Post vasectomy pain syndrome is in our experience extremely rare.

Will it protect me from getting or passing on STDs or AIDS?

No. It will only prevent you from making your partner pregnant. If you or your partner have a sexual disease, or have more than one sexual partner, the best way to protect yourself and your partner is to use a condom.

Can a No-Scalpel vasectomy be reversed?

No more than any other vasectomy procedure. Remember that vasectomy especially the no-scalpel method is quick, convenient and causes very little discomfort, but vasectomies should be considered permanent. Reversal operations are expensive and often unsuccessful. If you are thinking about reversal, perhaps vasectomy is not right for you.

What is Different about a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

No-scalpel vasectomy is different from a conventional vasectomy in the way the doctor gets to the tubes. This makes the procedure much less painful.

In a conventional vasectomy, after the scrotum has been numbed with a local anaesthetic the doctor makes one or two small cuts in the skin with a scalpel and lifts out each tube in turn, cutting and blocking it so the sperm cannot reach the semen. Then the doctor stitches the cuts closed.

In a no-scalpel vasectomy, the doctor feels for the tubes under the skin and holds them in place with a small clamp. Instead of making two incisions, the doctor makes one tiny opening with a special instrument so the tubes can be reached. The tubes are then blocked using a cautery method. There is very little bleeding with the no-scalpel technique. No stitches are needed to close the tiny opening, which heals quickly.

The no-scalpel vasectomy was invented by a Chinese surgeon, and is used throughout China. It was introduced in the United States in 1988, and  in the UK much later. The Royal Colleges now recommend it as the standard method of Vasectomy.

Is No-scalpel vasectomy safe?

Vasectomy in general is safe and simple. Vasectomy is an operation and all surgery has some risks, such as bleeding, bruising, infection or scarring. But serious problems are rare; less than 1 in 100 cases have even minor problems.

Does No-scalpel vasectomy work?

Yes. It Is estimated that after a vasectomy there is less than a 1 in 2000 chance that a man’s partner will become pregnant.

Will vasectomy change me sexually?

The only thing that will change is that you will not be able to make your partner pregnant. A vasectomy will not change how much semen your produce, facial hair, muscles, your sex drive, your erections, or your climaxes.

How long will the No-scalpel vasectomy procedure take?

Firstly you will attend the practice for a consultation, we will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. Your partner does not have to attend with you but it may be helpful. You then book in for the procedure to be done on another day. On average the procedure takes about 15 minutes but you will be at the surgery about 30 minutes in all. You should bring someone with you to drive you home afterwards.

Will it hurt?

Before the vasectomy we can give you a mild sedative, this should be taken an hour and half before hand, to relax you. When the local anaesthetic is injected into the skin of the scrotum, you will feel some discomfort, but as soon as it takes effect, you should feel no pain. Afterwards you may be sore for a couple of days and you might want to take a mild painkiller. But the discomfort is usually much less with the no-scalpel technique because there is less injury to the tissues. Also, there are no stitches. You will be provided with complete instructions about what to do after surgery.

How soon can I go back to work?

You should take it easy for at least 48 hours after your vasectomy. If your job doesn’t involve heavy work, you can then go back. If it does you should take a full week off.

Do I need a referral?

Yes, please speak to your GP practice about getting a referral made to us.

Will I be sterile Right away?

No, after a vasectomy there are always some active sperm left in your system. It takes about 20 ejaculations to clear these so you should use some other form of birth control until you have the results from your semen test taken 12-16 weeks following your vasectomy.  It is very important that you wait for the results before stopping using the other method of birth control.