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Dec 14, 2006
Complications following Vasectomy
by SirGan
 Although almost everyone has heard about vasectomy, not too many people know to explain the exact procedure. It is rather simple- vasectomy is a minor operation that lasts about 30 minutes and the main result is – male sterilization! The whole procedure is usually done at a doctor's office or at a clinic and the patient is awake during the surgery. Some have even heard about one special method called no-scalpel vasectomy. This procedure is also possible and it was developed in China. The doctor doesn't use a scalpel at all because, after the anesthetic is injected, the doctor pierces the skin of the scrotum with a sharp instrument. This is fallowed with gently stretching of the opening so that the tubes can be reached and blocked. Some studies have shown less pain and bleeding with this newer technique. Important thing to point out is that, for couples who have made the decision not to have any further children, vasectomy is the safest and easiest form of surgical sterilization.Anatomy of mail reproductive systemOf course, in order to understand the whole procedure called vasectomy, it is almost necessary to understand this part of male reproductive system and how it functions. Everyone knows that the testicles are the sperm and testosterone-producing organs which are located in a sac at the base of the penis called the scrotum. Not too many know that testicle is connected to a small, coiled tube called the epididymis which is also connected to the prostate gland by a pair of tubes called the vas deferens. That’s the target tissue of the operation because this structure is a part of a larger bundle of tissue, blood vessels and nerves called the spermatic cord. Normally, when a male ejaculates, seminal fluid mixes with sperm from the testes to form semen.
Semen is the combination of sperm and glandular fluid released by the urethra when a man ejaculates; normally a mixture of less than 1% sperm and 99% seminal fluid. That’s why- if this structure is blocked somehow – the sperm wouldn’t come out from penis at all, which is definitely the best possible birth control method!
Preparation for the operationEvery potential patient should be aware of the fact that there should be some preparations required prior to undergoing vasectomy.
ProcedureLike it was been already told- an urologist performs a vasectomy on an outpatient basis and the whole procedure lasts no more then 30 minutes. Patient is awake but normally- the scrotum is numbed with one or more injections of local anesthetic such as Lidocaine. Then the tissue called vas deferens is gathered under the skin of the scrotum, and a small incision is made. This is fallowed by the pulling out of the vas deferens through the incision, cutting in two places, and removal of 1-centimeter segment. Each end of the vas deferens is surgically tied off or clipped, and placed back in the scrotum. The incision is sutured and the procedure is repeated on the other side of the scrotum. Good thing is that the procedure is completely painless and that the patient can go home immediately after the procedure.
Does vasectomy cause any medical problems?It is extremely important to point out that almost all medical experts including the World Health Organization have concluded that vasectomy is a safe procedure. What does this means? Well, it we want to illustrate this- we should mention that a number of large-scale, well-designed epidemiological studies have examined the long-term health effects of vasectomy and most of them showed that vasectomized men are no more likely than other men to develop heart disease, testicular or prostate cancer, immune complex disorders, or other illnesses.
Emotional effects
Emotional effects are present and every potential patient should be aware of them. It is simple! Of course - to lose fertility is a really hard decision for any man and some may feel a little uncomfortable about ending the part of life involved with creating a family. It also brings the feelings about getting older and similar but- the good thing is that these feelings usually pass in time.
Vasectomy and masculinity
Most men are confused because they don’t know will the operation affect their masculinity! The answer is No. Male body will continue to produce the characteristic male hormones and no masculinity will be lost! The same thing is with the sexuality!
Important thing to point out is that the male’s sexual drive will not change at all because erections and climaxes will stay the same.
Safety and possible complications of vasectomy procedureThe most important question about this procedure is- how safe it is!? That’s why, the overall statistics say that the early failure rates of vasectomy are below 1%, but the effectiveness of the operation and rates of complications vary with the level of experience of the surgeon. Complications are possible and most common early complications are hematoma, infection, and sperm granulomas. The fact is also that most men will experience minor bruising in the scrotum for 3 to 5 days following the operation.
Several researches done in the past have shown that the incidence of chronic post-vasectomy pain is estimated to be between 5% and 30%. Unfortunately- although the common perception is that vasectomy is safe and simple, the experiences of many men both self-reported have been otherwise. The inconvenience of other forms of birth control must be weighed against the possibility of severe and chronic genital pain after the operation!
Problems that might occur after your vasectomy include:
All patients should also know that there is a risk is that the ends of the vas deferens may find a way to create a new path to one another. Good thing is that this doesn't occur very often.
Other possible side effects are:
Effectiveness of the vasectomyThere is no doubt- one thins is sure- vasectomy is definitely the most effective long-term contraceptive method. We are all aware of the fact how popular sterilization is as a birth control method. The interest for it is higher in older men. The best answer is how to tell a young couple that the best birth control method for them is- total sterilization? Where is the motivation for the procedure? Good things about this procedure which should be used as a motivation are next:
· The lower cost and simplicity of vasectomy
· Fewer complications oppositely to some methods of female sterilization
· The lower mortality of vasectomy
· The fact that almost all men who had the procedure and are satisfied with the results
· A stronger motivation for sterilization in the man
ReversalThe fact is that most of the clinics are telling that the vasectomy is not a reversible process, but this isn’t true-at least part of it! That’s why because men considering vasectomies should not think of them as reversible.
Alternative to vasectomyVasclip®
Although not too many people have heard about it-it is important to know that Vasclip® is an alternative to vasectomy that does not involve cutting or cauterizing the vas deferens. It is rather simple procedure in which a small plastic device is clamped around the vas deferens to prevent sperm from entering the semen. It is logical to assume that, because the vas deferens is not cut or cauterized, Vasclip may result in a shorter recovery time and fewer complications than traditional vasectomy.
Female sterilization
Female sterilization is an alternative to male sterilization! The operation is called the female tubal ligation and it is about blocking, seal or cut the fallopian tubes. Eggs can then no longer be fertilized by sperm. It should be considered a permanent operation.
Another option is called the the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (IUS)! This is one specific device that is a placed in the uterus and slowly releases a hormone called levonorgestrel which prevents the fertilization!
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