Vasectomy

What is Vasectomy?
Vasectomy is regarded as a permanent method of male contraception, which after the initial hitch at its introduction has become a popular option. It involves a minor surgery that can be performed out of the operation theater with the aid of local anesthesia and oral pacifiers only.

Who can adopt it?
Couples seeking some permanent birth control measures should ideally adopt this procedure. Main reasons that make Vasectomy a preferred choice are:

1. Freedom from complicated surgical methods (Vasectomy usually takes just around 25-30 minutes)
2. Cost effectiveness
3. The complexity and the risk associated with the alternative female surgical methods
4. The lower chances of the fatal side-effects of the surgery

How is Vasectomy performed?
The procedure deals with cutting the vas deference and resealing the opening to avoid the entry of sperms in the semen that is ejaculated. The methods of sealing vary to include stitching, clamping, tying, or cauterization. An alternative Vas-Clip method does away with the requirement of the incision and employs compressing the tube to prevent the passage of sperms. However, this method is reportedly less effective than the others are.

How effective is this method?
Sperms swimming in the semen stream are the ones ultimately fertilizing the egg in a woman’s womb. Preventing the flow of sperms renders Vasectomy as a highly effective method of birth control with the success rate of over 99%. Unless, there is some laxity while performing the surgery itself, there are very little or no chances of its failure from contraception. 

Can it be reversed?
There is no perfectly effective method of reversing the effects of Vasectomy and the reversal surgery (Vasovasostomy) usually adopted is not more than 50% to 70% effective. It is a highly expensive procedure and is contingent upon various factors, such as the time lapse between Vasectomy & Vasovasostomy and the initial process by which the Vasectomy was done.

What are the side effects of Vasectomy, if any?
Some of the common side effects associated with this method are:

1. Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS) is considered as one of the severest kind of side effects, which can remain so for sometime post-surgery or may even last for a lifetime. It is a chronic pain syndrome and can affect the physical activities of the person.
2. Suppressed sex drive in a very high proportion of men resorting to this option
3. Development of anti-sperm antibodies, due to the enhanced volume of sperms required to be broken down and reabsorbed in the body
4. Risk of developing dementia, although more research on the subject is underway
5. Anxiety, depression, and the fits of anger have also been linked to Vasectomy  

Register NOW for Vasectomy Clinical Trials