Vasectomy
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a permanent form of male birth control. It’s a simple, in-office procedure that’s nearly 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. It does not change sexual desire, performance, orgasm, masculinity, or testosterone levels. Ejaculation of semen will still be the same, only it will not contain sperm.
Procedure – What to Expect
A vasectomy takes about 30 minutes. It is performed in our office-based surgical facility.
Local anesthesia numbs the area before the procedure. Then, the doctor makes one or two small incisions to access the tubes that carry sperm. These tubes are then disconnected and tied to block the flow of sperm. Because the incisions are so small, stitches are not usually needed.
Vasectomy Recovery Time
Procedure Day: The most important aspect of your post-operative care is rest. We recommend spending the remainder of your procedure day resting. Using an ice pack for the first 6-8 hours after the procedure can help reduce pain and swelling.
Next 2 Days: We recommend staying home from work for two days following your procedure. You should also avoid strenuous physical activity and long periods of time on your feet.
3rd day: You may return to work and light-duty activity 3 days after your procedure. You should continue to use supportive undergarments throughout the first week.
Sports and Recreational Activities: After one week, you may ease into regular physical activity. After two weeks, you should be back to your full, regular routine.
Sexual Activity: Avoid sexual activity and ejaculation during the first week after your vasectomy. At the end of the first week, you may resume sexual intercourse. However, you need to use contraception until your doctor confirms no sperm are present.
Vasectomy Cost
The cost will depend on your insurance. Comprehensive Urologic Care performs vasectomies for men with or without insurance.
With Insurance: Most health insurances cover vasectomies. You can verify coverage with your insurance company. Usually, the 800 number is on your insurance card.
Without insurance: The total cost without insurance is $1550. This includes the consultation (physical) and the vasectomy procedure.
Partial Payment/Deposit: $775 of the vasectomy cost is due at the time of the vasectomy assessment & physical. The balance is due before the procedure.
View Vasectomy Paperwork
Vasectomy FAQ
What do I need to do before my vasectomy?
- Complete your consultation and physical exam.
- Complete and sign all forms and surgical consent.
- Check with your insurance carrier about coverage for the consultation and the procedure.
- Wash your genitals thoroughly with soap and water the night before and the day of your procedure.
- Shave or trim the hair of the upper scrotum.
- Eat a light meal before to your procedure.
- Wear or bring a supportive undergarment with you the day of your procedure.
What do I need to do after my vasectomy?
- Go straight home; put your feet up or lie down; place an ice pack/cold pack on the upper scrotum. Do not apply ice or the cold pack directly against the skin.
- Engage in minimal activity for the rest of the day; engage in light activity for the first two days following your procedure.
- Wear a supportive undergarment (athletic supporter, snug jockey briefs, bike shorts or training shorts) for the first week after your vasectomy, especially when you are up and around.
- You may shower the day after your procedure. Remove the applied band-aids before to showering and re-apply for the next two days. You do not need to scrub the incision sites.
- Keep the vasectomy incisions covered with a band-aid for the first three days following your procedure.
- Apply an antiseptic such as betadine, Bacitracin or Neosporin to the incision sites before to replacing a band-aid and after you have discontinued using a band-aid.
- Use Tylenol or the prescription medication provided by your doctor. Do not take aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen, Advil, Alleve, etc. for five days after your procedure.
When can I return to work?
Most men return to work two days after their vasectomy (procedure on Friday, return to work Monday)
It is not unusual to have some mild to moderate discomfort/pain associated with mild bruising and swelling of the scrotum for the entire first week after your vasectomy. Significant pain, bruising and swelling are unusual. The more physically active you are at work or at home after your procedure, the more discomfort you will experience
When can I resume sexual activity?
You may resume sexual activity one week after your vasectomy. You will need to continue to use some form of contraception until sterility is confirmed. It is our policy to perform follow-up semen analyses starting ten weeks after your procedure.
Do I need to have a semen sample checked after my vasectomy?
Yes, you must have one negative semen sample before you are considered sterile.
Comprehensive Urologic Care uses an external lab to conduct this test. At the time of your vasectomy, you will be provided instructions on how and where to deliver the sample. This will include an order form to provide the laboratory. We will also provide a container that has a secure lid.
Please follow all instructions on the laboratory paperwork to ensure proper handling and accurate results.
How many ejaculations do I need to have in order to eliminate all sperm from my reproductive system?
Following a vasectomy, no new sperm traverse the reproductive passages; however, all old sperm within the passages must be eliminated through a series of ejaculations. We ask that you abstain from intercourse and ejaculation during the first week following your procedure.
Over the next nine weeks, you will need to have 15-20 ejaculations. After 15-20 ejaculations, you have a seventy–five percent chance of having cleared all the old sperm from your reproductive passages. If your first sample is positive indicating that sperm have not been cleared, you need to have 10 more ejaculations before dropping off your next sample.
After the first 10 weeks, the time interval for the additional 10 ejaculations is not important. A small percentage of men will require a significant number of ejaculations to clear the system. If sperm persist in the system for greater than or equal to 12 months following your procedure, consideration will be given to repeating the procedure.
What happens to the sperm that my body continues to produce after my vasectomy?
Following a vasectomy, the testicles will decrease the number of sperm that they produce. Second, the body will increase the process of sperm breakdown and reabsorption.
Will a vasectomy have any impact on my sexuality/performance?
No. A vasectomy will have no impact on your ability to obtain or maintain an erection, nor will it have any detrimental impact on your sex drive. In fact, many men feel more confident about their sexuality because they no longer fear an unplanned pregnancy.
The quality, quantity, and appearance of the semen will not change.
Do you perform a conventional or a no-scalpel vasectomy?
We perform a conventional vasectomy. We believe the most important factor relating to a good surgical outcome is surgeon experience and not the surgical technique utilized. All the physicians in our practice are highly trained and experienced in performing this procedure. All vasectomies require entering through a small hole in the scrotum. The only difference between a no-scalpel and a conventional procedure is how that small hole is created.
