Preliminary Information:

1. Patients are to come by for consultation with procedure scheduled for a later date. In rare instances both consultation and vasectomy can be done on the same day.

2. The amount of fluid (ejaculate) that comes out at time of orgasm after vasectomy is a little lower, but not usually by a lot as most of the fluid comes from the seminal vesicles and prostate which aren't influenced by vasectomy.

3. The testicles still produce sperm, but with the system being obstructed the sperm will just get broken down & reabsorbed into the body. This isn't harmful or painful.

4. There should be no alteration in erectile function.

5. The risks with the procedure are skin infection & bleeding initially, but the bigger concern is failure to achieve sterility. Reports have shown re-establishment of ductal patency in upwards of .5% of men (1 in 200). As such, follow up semen tests will be necessary to assure that sterility has been achieved.

6. There was a report many years ago that suggested that men that have had a vasectomy will be at an increased risk for prostate cancer later in life, but subsequent reports have disproved this theory.

7. A vasectomy reversal is later sought in 6% of men that have the procedure. While this is possible to do, don't think of this as an "out" as the expense of a reversal is considerable and the success rate in terms of later pregnancies is about 50%.

Procedure:

1. No aspirin or blood thinners for 1 week prior to procedure (Tylenol or ibuprofen ok).

2. Shave the front of the scrotal skin up to the base of the penile shaft the day prior to procedure, have snug briefs style underwear or an athletic supporter to wear afterward, and come with someone to drive you home afterward.

3. You may or may not get IV valium prior to the procedure per physician discretion. The main thing that makes the procedure possible is the injection of lidocaine local anesthesia to numb the skin and underlying structures.

4. There will be either 1 or 2 incisions in the scrotal skin to divide the vas defrens (sperm duct) on each side.

5. Any sutures in the skin will dissolve with time, so no office visit will be necessary for suture removal.

Post-procedure:

1. Ice the scrotum intermittently for 24 to 48 hours in 15 to 30 minute intervals.

2. A prescription for a mild narcotic painkiller will be written & you can take this every 4 to 6 hrs. as needed. Ibuprofen 400 to 600 mg. every 4 to 6 hrs. can be substituted.

3. You may shower the next day, no ejaculation for one week following procedure.

4. Call office for temperature greater than 100.5, bleeding, or significant testicular swelling.

5. Expect some swelling and possibly bruising of the skin.

6. You can return to light duty in 2 to 3 days like sitting at a desk. No strenuous activity for at least a week.

7. There will be no impact on urinary function, no painful urination.

8. The source of sperm is blocked, the rest of the system is still "primed," & there's a "washout" interval of weeks.

9. Plan to return at 6 and 8 weeks after the procedure with a semen sample to be checked here to make sure there are no sperm. This should be collected not more than 1 hour prior to delivery to office. Once two specimens are given without sperm you are considered sterile, but precautions should be taken until then as you are still potentially fertile.