7 facts about a vasectomy: all about the snip

A vasectomy, also known as male steralisation, is a permanent form of contraception and the idea of having ‘the snip’ is enough to make any man question whether it is the best decision for him. When considering a vasectomy, it is best to seek advice from a specialist urologist.
 

1. It is possible to have a vasectomy reversal

Despite a vasectomy reversal being possible, the procedure is not always successful. The sooner the reversal procedure is done following the vasectomy, the better. Studies show that the success rate of a reversal within 10 years is about 55%. If the vasectomy reversal is carried out more than 10 years after, the success rates drop to 25%. A patient should be certain before going ahead with a vasectomy as a reversal is not easy and a pregnancy may not be possible.

2. Vasectomies do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

It is important that vasectomised men continue to use condoms to protect against diseases, which includes HIV. A vasectomy is a contraception against pregnancy but not for contracting or transmitting other infections.

3. The semen will still come out when a man ejaculates

A man’s ejaculations are still the same as they were before a vasectomy, there will still be fluid which looks the same as prior to the procedure. The only change is that the semen will no longer contain sperm.

4. A man’s sex drive and ability to enjoy sex remains intact

A vasectomy does not change the testosterone levels, sexual desires or sensitivity. Studies show that testosterone decreases slower with age in men who have undergone a vasectomy when compared to those who have not.

5. A vasectomy does not result in sterility straightaway

Following surgery, a vasectomy does not immediately make a man sterile. Sperm stays in the vas deferens (muscular tubes that propels sperm to the penis) for weeks after the procedure. It is recommended to use contraception for three months afterwards. A man will have to ejaculate at least 20 times to get rid of the remaining sperm. Two semen tests are done after the operation to ensure that all of the sperm have gone and that the man is sterile.

6. A vasectomy is 99.8% effective

Condoms are 98% effective whilst a vasectomy is 99.8% efficient as a form of contraception.

7. There is a very slight increase in the risk of prostate cancer following a vasectomy

Recently, Harvard School of Public Health published a research paper in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, which found no connection between ‘low grade’ forms of prostate cancer and a vasectomy. They did discover that ‘high grade’ (more progressive) prostatic cancers were linked to a vasectomy but that the increased risk overall was not very great. The report compares that, lethal prostate cancer in males without a vasectomy was 16 in 1,000. In men who had a vasectomy it was 19 in 1,000, showing only a slight increase of risk. It is recommended that a man should be screened with a rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test at age 40 and every 2 years until the age of 50. Then he should continue annually.