Vasectomy and Age: Is There Right Time To Get the Procedure?

Vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control that prevents a man from fathering biological children. The question of when to undergo the procedure is a personal one and there is no right time or age. However, on average, men tend to get the procedure at 35 years or older. It is important to note that a vasectomy is not recommended for men under the age of 18, and in some states, men under the age of 21 are not eligible for the procedure through federally-funded medical facilities.

It is important to make sure that you have given serious thought and consulted with professionals before making the decision to undergo the procedure. It is also important to consider factors such as your partner’s age and fertility. If your partner is nearing menopause or has a condition that prevents her from conceiving, a vasectomy may not be necessary.

It is also important to be aware that a change of mind is possible at any age, and it is crucial to thoroughly consider the decision before proceeding. If at any age, you are confident that you do not want children and a healthcare provider refuses to perform the procedure, it is recommended to seek a second opinion.

In terms of age limitations, there is no upper limit for a vasectomy as long as overall health is good enough. However, it is important to take into account any potential health risks and to discuss the pros and cons of the procedure with a healthcare professional. Ultimately, the right time to undergo a vasectomy is when you have fully considered the decision and are confident in your choice to not have any more biological children.

At Advanced Urology Institute, we prioritize your health, safety, and peace of mind. So, we ensure that we have enough time with you during consultation to explore the pros and cons of a vasectomy and make sure it is the right procedure for you. Book your consultation with us now to have your questions answered and to prepare yourself adequately for the procedure. 

For more information on a vasectomy, vasectomy reversal, and other urological and male reproductive health services, visit the site “Advanced Urology Institute.”

What happens to sperm after a vasectomy?

Are you a man intending to undergo a vasectomy but aren’t sure about its efficacy?

Are you worried that the procedure will affect your sexual desire, performance or pleasure?

Or are you anxious that the sperm prevented from reaching your ejaculate may cause adverse effects in your body?

If so, here is what you should know about the fate of your sperm after a vasectomy.

  1. Your body continues to produce sperm after a vasectomy

A vasectomy doesn’t stop your body from producing sperm. It only stops the sperm produced from being part of the fluid you ejaculate. The procedure does not in any way interfere with your testicles, which is your body’s sperm factory.

Inside the testicles are tiny, coiled tubes known as the seminiferous tubules. The tubules produce sperm throughout your lifetime. They contain cells called sperm nurse cells that control the sperm stem cells from where new sperm cells emerge. The sperm nurse cells are surrounded and stimulated by testosterone-producing cells.

Vasectomy does not affect any of these cells found in the seminiferous tubules. So it does not hamper or limit sperm production. And your body continues to produce sperm just as it did before the procedure.

  1. Your body naturally dissolves and reabsorbs sperm after a vasectomy

Before a vasectomy, the sperm produced in your testicles are moved and stored in the tightly coiled tube, called the epididymis. The sperm cells stored in the epididymis are then transferred to the vas deferens and out of the body via the urethra during ejaculation.

During a vasectomy, the vas deferens is cut and blocked, closing the pathway along which sperm move out of the body. So the sperm produced in the testicles and stored in the epididymis can no longer move out of the epididymis through the vas deferens to be part of the semen you ejaculate.

The sperm remains stored and unused in the epididymis for a period of time. After that, the body’s natural destruction process occurs, where the sperm is dissolved and reabsorbed into the body through the membrane lining the epididymis.

  1. Your body’s re-absorption of unused sperm is harmless

The process of re-absorbing sperm in your body after a vasectomy is similar to what happens to the sperm the body produces during periods when you are sexually inactive. Of course, when you’re sexually active, you ejaculate regularly, use most of the sperm produced, and compel the body to make more sperm.

But when you are sexually inactive for an extended period of time, your body produces less sperm and stores and reabsorbs unused sperm. It is this same process of naturally re-absorbing unused sperm that occurs after a vasectomy. The natural, harmless process swings into action to prevent buildup of unused sperm if you don’t ejaculate for a long period.

The process occurs in two steps. First, the body uses special cleanup cells called macrophages to break down old or unused sperm by dissolving them. Secondly, the remnants of broken-down sperm cells are absorbed into the membrane lining the epididymis.

  1. Your sexual desire, function, and pleasure does not change after a vasectomy

Because the vasectomy procedure does not affect your testicles, it does not interfere with your testosterone levels. So your sexual desire is not affected. 

Also, a vasectomy does not interfere with your ability to have and maintain an erection. So if you have no erectile dysfunction before the procedure, you’ll have normal erections and performance after it. In fact, your performance may be improved by the boost you get from not worrying about the risks of pregnancy. 

Likewise, since the ejaculate is usually made up of 2-5 percent sperm, the volume of your ejaculate does not change after a vasectomy. You’ll be able to have sex, feel the same levels of pleasure, and ejaculate normally. The only difference will be the absence of sperm in the ejaculate.

  1. You need an alternative form of contraception until your semen is sperm-free

With a long-term success rate of 99-percent, a vasectomy is one of the best forms of birth control; only second to abstinence. But you’ll still need to be careful a few weeks after the procedure as you can still make your partner pregnant.

There will be some sperm in the upper portion of the vas deferens after a vasectomy. These sperm cells will find their way in semen and may cause a pregnancy if you have sex after the procedure. That is why you need to use an alternative form of birth control until the absence of sperm in your semen has been confirmed.

The sperm count in semen decreases gradually after a vasectomy. But it takes approximately 8 weeks or 20 ejaculations following a vasectomy for the semen to be sperm-free. Your doctor will recommend tests on your semen during this period to check for the presence of sperm.

Safe, effective vasectomy 

Vasectomy is a safe, effective, and permanent birth control method. It neither interferes with your sex life nor stops your body from producing sperm. It only stops sperm from being part of the ejaculate, but with not much difference in the color and quantity of semen you ejaculate.

At Advanced Urology Institute, we offer safe, effective vasectomy procedures. Before the procedure, we spend time discussing the procedure and its benefits and risks ensuring that our patients are ready for permanent birth control. We also offer vasectomy reversal for men who have undergone the procedure but for some reasons need to have children again.

For more information on vasectomy and vasectomy reversal, visit the site “Advanced Urology Institute.”

Can you still have an orgasm after vasectomy?

Rest assured, in virtually every case, you will have normal orgasms after a vasectomy. And you’ll also continue to ejaculate during those orgasms. 

A vasectomy is specifically surgically elected to stop sperm from being part of the ejaculate in order to prevent pregnancy. But in all other respects, it doesn’t change anything about sexual function.  It doesn’t stop you from ejaculating during sexual intercourse or masturbation. Neither does it stop you from achieving orgasms.

How does a vasectomy work?

The vasectomy procedure involves either cutting or blocking off two sperm-carrying tubes called the vas deferens that lead directly from the testicles. This procedure disrupts the flow of sperm to the penis during sexual activity preventing sperm cells from leaving the body. 

But having a vasectomy doesn’t stop your body from working normally. Your testicles will continue to produce sperm as usual. And your prostate gland and seminal vesicles will continue to produce semen. The only difference is that the sperm will no longer mix with the semen.

After a vasectomy, the sperm produced by the testicles doesn’t leave the body. Neither are the cells stored in your body. Instead, the sperm cells are broken down and reabsorbed by your body with no adverse effect on your sexual desire, erections, and performance.

Even without a vasectomy, sperm is usually produced and reabsorbed if they don’t leave the body during sexual intercourse or masturbation. So the process is normal and natural and has no effect on your sexual drive or performance.

No noticeable change in the ejaculate

Since your prostate gland and seminal vesicles will continue to produce the fluid that is predominant in your ejaculate, you’ll still have unaltered orgasms and unchanged ejaculations. The reason for this is that a typical ejaculate before a vasectomy is 95-99 percent semen and only 1-5 percent sperm. 

So when sperm is stopped from being part of the ejaculate, there is no significant reduction in the volume, quality or other characteristics of the ejaculate other than the absence of sperm.  You’ll still produce more or less the same quantity of fluid during orgasm with the same amount and texture of semen.

No effect on testosterone

A vasectomy has no effect on your ability to produce the male sex hormone testosterone. Once testosterone is produced in your testicles the hormone is transported through your body via the bloodstream. Since a vasectomy doesn’t change the flow of blood from your testicles to the rest of the body it won’t affect your testosterone levels.

So the good news is that a vasectomy will not affect your sexual performance. Sex will be the same as before but without the risk of making your partner pregnant. 

After a vasectomy, your sex drive and ability remains intact and there is no change in your erections or on the feeling and sensation you have during ejaculation. In fact, neither you nor your partner will notice a change in the ejaculate and in the orgasms.

No effect on muscle contractions

Orgasms are usually associated with a series of intense muscle contractions. Since a vasectomy does not interfere with the pelvic and sphincter muscles that contract during orgasm, you’ll still reach powerful and pleasurable orgasms. Plus, the procedure doesn’t interfere with the nerve impulses received from the penis.

Safe and secure vasectomy

Are you looking for a safe and permanent form of contraception? At Advanced Urology Institute, we offer vasectomies for men interested in the highest and most reliable form of birth control. 

All vasectomies are completed on an outpatient basis with the procedure taking 20-30 minutes. Afterward, expect to go home and rest for about 48 hours, then engage in lighter activities for the next 7 days followed by going back to your routine after a week.

We are proud that our vasectomy procedure:

  1. Is 99.99 percent effective in helping you prevent pregnancy
  2. Has no long-term effects on your health
  3. Does not affect your hormone levels, sex drive, erections, ejaculations, and orgasms
  4. Does not interfere with sex or the spontaneity of sex
  5. Gives you a simpler, safer and more reliable alternative to female sterilization

We also provide vasectomy reversals. 

For more information on vasectomy and vasectomy reversals, visit the site “Advanced Urology Institute.”

What is Vasectomy Recovery Like?

The no-needle no-scalpel vasectomy is a quick, minimally invasive outpatient procedure that takes 10-15 minutes. It is fail-safe on a majority of patients and highly unlikely to cause complications.

“At Advanced Urology Institute, we conduct no-needle no-scalpel vasectomies with very high success rates,” says Dr. Yaser Bassel, a board certified urologist at Advanced Urology Institute, Tampa, Florida. “It’s basically a 10-15 minute office procedure done under local anesthesia,” he adds.

What does the procedure involve?

During a no-needle no-scalpel vasectomy, you undress from the waist down and cover yourself using a sheet. Your skin is sterilized with antiseptic, and then sterile drapes are placed around your scrotum.

With the surgical site—the scrotum—numbed using an external agent, your urologist uses a device called a hemostat to expose your vas deferens through the skin of your testes. The vas deferens is then sealed to prevent sperm flow into semen. After sealing off your vas deferens, the surgeon bandages your scrotum—no closing of sutures is necessary.

Is the procedure painful?

The sensation associated with the procedure is comparable to a rubber band snapped at the entry site. You will feel some tugging as the vasectomy is done, but you should not expect to have any sharp pain.

Soon after the procedure, you can expect some mild discomfort. The discomfort may intensify as the anesthesia wears off, usually one or two hours after your procedure.

“The tenderness and soreness can be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses,” says Dr. Yaser Bassel. “It is advisable that you speak with your doctor about any pain, redness, soreness, or discomfort you may experience after the procedure.”

Likewise, you should make sure to read your urologist’s written instructions, review them thoroughly with your spouse, and ask questions regarding any concerns.

You should also not drive yourself home. Make sure to arrange for your transportation in advance. Your doctor will determine when you are ready to go home, and you should not speed up the process.

Once you leave the doctor’s office, you should go directly home to rest. Wear a snug scrotal garment or jockey shorts immediately after your surgery, and for up to one week, to avoid stretching the wound.

What should you expect during recovery?

You will need to follow basic self-care procedures to keep yourself comfortable and reduce the risk of infection or stretching your wound. Immediately after the procedure, you should take a day or two from work to rest.

“Once you arrive home, lie down and apply some ice on your scrotum, and rest for at least 20 minutes. You’ll then apply the ice periodically for the rest of the day,” says Dr. Yaser Bassel. “The ice will reduce the swelling and block your pain receptors to minimize the pain,” he adds.

A cold compress applied for the first 24-48 hours will minimize your pain and prevent swelling, but you will still need to monitor the progress of your surgical site. Should the pain, bruising, redness, and swelling worsen the first few days after your procedure, you should contact your physician for help.

With good scrotal support, you can ease into regular non-strenuous activity the day after your vasectomy procedure. However, it would be best if you avoid heavy lifting, working out, and other strenuous activities until at least the third day after your procedure. Lifting any weight above 10 pounds may stretch and reopen your wound. Plus, you should not shower or bathe for one or two days after the procedure.

“If any activity causes pain, put it off and rest some more before trying it again,” says Dr. Yaser Bassel. “Likewise, you should avoid having sexual relations soon after your no-needle no-scalpel vasectomy,” he affirms.

Since sperm will not immediately diminish in your semen, you will temporarily have to use external birth control when having sexual intercourse. It usually takes up to 3 months for sperm to be completely absent in semen.

You should also have your semen analyzed for the presence of sperm before you engaging in sex without using contraception.

Why Advanced Urology Institute?

At Advanced Urology Institute, we offer the no-needle no-scalpel procedure that takes less than 20 minutes and guarantees that you will enjoy contraception with the lowest complication rate, least amount of pain, and shortest recovery period.

Our urologists have been performing this procedure for years. Your safe and effective surgery will allow you to enjoy your sex life without worrying about an unintended pregnancy. We will also guide you through the recovery process to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Are you thinking of getting a vasectomy? Schedule your consultation today with one of our knowledgeable and experienced urologists.

For additional information on vasectomy, vasectomy reversals, and other contraception issues, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Vasectomy or Tubal Ligation: Which One to Choose According to Dr. Yaser Bassel?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Dr. Yaser S. Bassel, MD, a board-certified urologist in Tampa, FL, recommends vasectomy as a more straightforward and less invasive sterilization option compared to tubal ligation for women.
  • Vasectomy is a quick, in-office procedure that does not impact erectile function or libido in men.
  • Advanced Urology Institute is the largest urology practice in Florida, offering comprehensive care for patients seeking sterilization options and other urological treatments.

Introduction: Sterilization Options for Couples

Dr. Yaser S. Bassel, a board-certified urologist in Tampa, FL, practices at Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida. In this article, Dr. Bassel discusses the differences between vasectomy and tubal ligation as sterilization options for couples, and why vasectomy is often the better choice.

Vasectomy: An In-Office Procedure for Sterilization

Dr. Bassel performs no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomies as an easy in-office procedure for male sterilization. He explains that this option is often more favorable than tubal ligation for women, as it is less invasive and quicker. A vasectomy typically takes 10 to 15 minutes and can be performed under local anesthesia. To help patients relax during the procedure, Dr. Bassel sometimes offers a Valium tablet.

Tubal Ligation: A More Invasive Surgical Procedure

In contrast to vasectomy, tubal ligation is a more invasive surgical procedure for women. It often requires general anesthesia and is more time-consuming than a vasectomy. While tubal ligation is also an effective sterilization method, Dr. Bassel suggests that a vasectomy is generally a better option for couples due to its simplicity and faster recovery time.

Vasectomy Recovery and Misconceptions

Dr. Bassel emphasizes that patients who undergo a vasectomy should avoid strenuous activities for one week to ensure proper healing. He also addresses common concerns that men have about the procedure, specifically that it may negatively impact their libido or erectile function. Dr. Bassel assures that there is no correlation between vasectomy and these issues, and that men can expect their sexual function to remain unchanged following the procedure.

Advanced Urology Institute: Leading the Way in Urological Care

As the largest urology practice in Florida, Advanced Urology Institute offers comprehensive care for patients with various urological conditions, including those seeking sterilization options like vasectomy. With a team of board-certified urologists such as Dr. Yaser Bassel, patients can expect state-of-the-art treatment options and personalized care.

TRANSCRIPTION: 

My name is Yaser Bassel. I’m a board-certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute. 

I do perform no needle, no scalp with vasectomies and that is an easy in-office procedure for sterilization. For men that oftentimes is the better option than for women undergoing tubal ligation. In that case, women oftentimes will have to have general anesthesia and require a surgical procedure. For men this is typically a 10 to 15 minute procedure that’s performed in the office and oftentimes we can give patients a Valium tablet so that they’re relaxed during the procedure and afterwards as long as the patient is compliant with no strenuous activities for one week they typically do not have any issues with regards to healing. Oftentimes men are concerned that a vasectomy can affect their libido or affect their erectile function. There’s absolutely no correlation with that and there’s no effect on erectile function or libido for men.

REFERENCES: 

How effective is a vasectomy reversal?

My name is Yaser Bassel. I’m a board certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute.

When we counsel patients before they get a vasectomy, we do tell them that this is considered a permanent form of sterilization. However vasectomies can be reversed. The vasectomy reversal process is typically one that is not covered by insurance so it can be expensive but it is possible and typically with seventy-five to eighty percent (75-80%) success rates. [While], I do not personally perform the vasectomy reversals themselves, I do have a partner that specializes in that area. So if that is something men are interested in, that is something that is offered by our practice.

Vasectomy: Easy Safe Effective Birth Control

As a permanent method of birth control, vasectomy has been around for decades with good results. Today it is performed as a routine procedure with over 500,000 operations done in the United States each year.

During the procedure, the vas deferens (the duct that carries sperm from the testicles to the urethra) is cut or blocked to prevent sperm from being released during ejaculation. Sperm must travel from a man’s testicles to the urethra for pregnancy to occur during sexual intercourse, and blocking this passage is what makes vasectomy an effective method of birth control.

How is a vasectomy performed?

Dr. James Renehan of Tallahassee. FLA vasectomy is an outpatient procedure that must be performed in a medical facility or in a doctor’s office. In one technique, the urologist makes two small incisions on either side of the scrotum in order to gain access to the vas deferens. In another technique, the urologist makes one small incision to access both tubes. After accessing the tubes, the doctor cuts and seals them and then adds stitches if necessary. Doctors perform vasectomy under local anesthesia, making it as painless as possible. The procedure takes 10-20 minutes and the patient is free to go home immediately.

Recovery from the operation is easy. Your doctor will give you clear instructions which, if followed, will allow you to get back to normal in a few days. To ensure a quick recovery, you will need to apply cold packs to the area for 12-48 hours and lie on your back as much as possible. Wearing comfortable underwear or a jockstrap will protect the area. It is common to have mild discomfort, bruising and swelling of the scrotum for a few days after a vasectomy. In case of persistent and considerable pain, contact your doctor for advice. Unless your job is strenuous, you can return to work in 1-2 days. However, you must avoid heavy lifting for at least a week to avoid aggravating the wound.

How effective is vasectomy?

Vasectomy boasts of a better success rate than even the most effective forms of female contraception. The chance that a vasectomy fails (and a man impregnates his partner after the operation) is anywhere from 0.3% to 9% in the first six months after surgery. This is usually because it will take a few months for semen to be fully without sperm. Doctors suggest using another method of birth control such as condoms until follow-up analysis of semen shows zero sperm. But after this initial period, the failure risk of vasectomy drops to between 0.04% and 0.08% (about 1 in 2000). In comparison, the failure rate of intra-uterine device (IUD) is 0.2% to 0.8% while that of tubal ligation is nearly 1% during the first year after the procedure. Therefore, vasectomy is not only the best birth control method for men, but also one of the best overall.

Easy, safe and effective birth control

Vasectomy is a safe and low-risk way a man can take on the medical responsibilities of family planning. Whether you want to commit to a child-free life or do not want any more children, vasectomy is a long-term, discreet, 10-20 minute procedure with no danger to your hormonal balance and sex life. It is safer than common forms of contraception for women and recovery is quick and easy. Although this procedure should always be considered a permanent change, the success rate for vasectomy reversals is between 40% to 90% depending on how the original procedure was performed. If you decide that you do not want any more children, this procedure is worth discussing with your doctor. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Is Vasectomy Easier Than A Tubal Ligation

Both a vasectomy and tubal ligation are minor surgical procedures done to prevent pregnancy. A vasectomy is performed on men. During the procedure, the vas deferens, which are the two tubes through which sperm is transported into the ejaculatory duct during ejaculation, are cut or closed off to prevent the release of sperm when a man ejaculates.

Tubal ligation is the equivalent of vasectomy for women. It involves cutting or sealing off the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are the path through which the egg produced by the ovaries travels to the womb. When the tubes are cut or sealed, the egg cannot travel to meet the sperm. This means that fertilization never happens and no pregnancy results.

Comparing Vasectomy and Tubal Ligation.

1. Procedure

Dr. Rolando RiveraDuring a vasectomy,the urologist makes two tiny incisions on the scrotum, pulls out the vas deferens and snips them and ties the individual ends. For tubal ligation, the doctor makes an incision in the patient’s abdomen to reach the fallopian tubes. The tubes are then cut and closed off. Or the tubes can be left uncut and closed off using a clip or a band.

While both procedures qualify as minor surgeries, a tubal ligation is a little more invasive. It involves larger incisions and the risk of interfering with other internal organs is significantly higher. On this score, a vasectomy seems a better option.

2. Cost of Procedure

Tubal ligation takes longer. It takes more work to complete than a vasectomy. Additionally, a tubal ligation requires the use of general anaesthetic to a greater extent than a vasectomy. For these reasons, it is more expensive.

3. Risks and Side Effects

Although both procedures have side effects, it must be said that serious complications rarely arise from either procedure.

A vasectomy may cause some bleeding and a little pain in the scrotum. There is a risk of infection but because the incisions are usually so small, the risk is minimal. A tubal ligation, on the other hand, has an increased risk of infection. There is also a greater risk of injury to internal organs because fallopian tubes are located inside the body, unlike the scrotum. After the surgery, the woman may have bleeding in the abdomen.

Based on the general criteria, vasectomy is said to be preferred to a tubal ligation. The choice, however, should always be made by the couple involved after they have weighed the choices and their personal circumstances. The advice of a trained urologist can help make the decision process easier. The staff of experts at Advanced Urology Institute are experienced in helping with consultations, planning and doing both procedures. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.