Our experienced doctors at Qualitas Health appreciate that discussion around vasectomies may cause high levels of stress and anxiety for some men, so here are a few simple facts that we hope will set you and your partner’s mind at ease:
- A vasectomy is a safe, simple and permanent contraception procedure for men, when couples decide they have finished adding to their families or that they don’t wish to have children.
- It doesn’t impact on sexual satisfaction or virility – the relieving news for men is that sexual function continues as normal for them following a vasectomy procedure.
- What is done as part of a vasectomy? – this simple surgical procedure closes off the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm in the scrotum) and this prevents sperm from being in seminal fluid upon ejaculation.
- How effective are vasectomies? They have a failure rate of less than 0.1% which makes them much more effective than other methods of contraception and contraception for women, such as IUDs (intrauterine devices) and female sterilisation (tubal ligation).
- Is a vasectomy painful? No. During the procedure you will feel a slight pinprick from the needle and then the surrounding area will be numb. Afterwards, you can expect to have a small scar on the scrotum and potentially some slight discomfort for a day or two, but it won’t be overly painful.
- Can sperm be stored for later? It is possible, however we highly recommend that you only undertake a vasectomy when you are looking at a permanent form of contraception, as while vasectomies can be reversed, there are no guarantees.
- How safe are vasectomies? Vasectomies are very common procedures. There are always some risks, including infection and swelling, which is why it is important to consult with your doctor to discuss before and after care instructions. Our Qualitas Health team are of course always on hand to discuss any questions, concerns or needs that you might have pre or post-surgery.
- Is it possible to reverse a vasectomy? Should you change your mind later, for whatever reason, it is possible to reverse a vasectomy. However, it is important to understand that there are no guarantees and that you should always consult your GP for more detailed information and with any concerns you may have prior to undertaking the procedure.
- The procedure – generally the procedure takes less than 30 minutes and the majority of vasectomies are completed under local anaesthetic.
- Medicare rebate – a referral is not required to get a vasectomy when performed by your experienced General Practitioner. If you have a medicare card, some of the cost will be covered for the procedure.
If you’d like to understand more about the benefits, risks and keys to post-procedure care for a vasectomy, reach out to our Qualitas Health team to find an experienced general practitioner near you in New South Wales, Victoria or Queensland.
