What happens to sperm after a vasectomy?
You will continue to produce sperm throughout your life. After a vasectomy, sperm remain in the testicles, epididymis, or scrotal tissue (the “sac”) and are destroyed and reabsorbed by your body a few days after production. This mechanism for destroying old sperm already exists in your body and serves to eliminate those of poor quality. Therefore, this will be a cycle in which you produce young sperm and destroy older ones.
Is there a minimum age for having a vasectomy?
No. It’s possible that we might consider a vasectomy inappropriate in certain situations (for example, a very young man, without children, who may believe that a vasectomy is easily reversible). But this is determined by the individual assessment made during the pre-vasectomy consultation. There are no fixed criteria.
Can I consume alcohol after a vasectomy?
There’s no problem with drinking alcohol in moderation after a vasectomy, though we recommend that you wait until 24 hours after the procedure.
Is there a limit to the distance I can travel by car after a vasectomy?
No, but if you have a long drive ahead, it would still be best to have someone with you in case you experience any discomfort.
Can I lift my children after the vasectomy?
As indicated in the section After Your Vasectomy, you should not lift anything heavier than 25 kg (50–60 lbs) for 5–7 days after the operation. Be careful if you have to place and secure a child weighing more than 10 kg (20 lbs) in the car seat yourself. This requires significant effort in an awkward position, which may cause swelling. Also, be careful with small children’s feet in your arms…vasectomy or not!
Is ice mandatory?
We strongly recommend it. Ice helps reduce swelling and pain, if present. However, some men don’t use it because they experience very little discomfort. But if you do have swelling, ice is a good option.
Apply it to your scrotum for about 20 minutes (no longer) 2–3 times a day for 1–2 days. Do not place containers of ice directly on your skin. Keep loose pants on, for example tracksuit bottoms. The most important thing is to keep physical activity light in the first 48 hours after the procedure to prevent problems.
Can my partner be present during the procedure?
We prefer not, only from the point of view that the room is not large enough to accommodate multiple persons.
What happens if I haven’t had 20 ejaculations before the sperm analysis?
Generally this is not an issue. If you’ve had several ejaculations since your vasectomy, even if you haven’t quite reached 20, there’s a strong possibility you’re infertile. We will ask you to submit a postal sample at 16 weeks and, if there are still sperm present, we will ask you to repeat the semen analysis in 6–8 weeks.
Can I travel after a vasectomy?
It is best to avoid travelling outside the country, or to a place where medical care is unavailable, for 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure. While rare, complications are always possible. If complications were to arise, you would undoubtedly prefer to see the surgeon who operated on you again rather than be stranded alone in the middle of the jungle!
Should I have a sperm analysis every year to be sure I am still sterile?
No. First, because it’s very rare to experience a return of fertility (an unplanned pregnancy) after sterility has been confirmed following a vasectomy. This is called late recanalisation. It’s estimated that over a lifetime, this happens to 1 in 2,000 to 3,000 men who have had a vasectomy. By comparison, it’s estimated that 9 out of 100 women using the contraceptive pill become pregnant each year.
Secondly, when the ducts reconnect, sperm begin passing through again immediately. The likelihood of your annual semen analysis being done in the days following this rare complication is slim. Your partner has a much better chance of getting pregnant before you’re “caught” with a positive semen analysis. You can have a negative semen analysis one day and a positive one the next.
In conclusion, if your sperm analysis 4 months after your vasectomy shows that you are sterile, you will no longer need other methods of contraception.
What holds the testicles in place if the ducts are cut?
It’s not the vas deferens that hold the testicles in place. Several layers of membranes, sheaths and muscles hold the testicles within the scrotum. Therefore, there will be no difference after a vasectomy.
Will my testosterone levels change after the vasectomy?
No. The testicles continue to function normally after a vasectomy. During the operation, only the tubes that carry sperm are affected, not the blood vessels that carry testosterone. Several studies have shown that sexual function is preserved after a vasectomy.
What happens if I have a nocturnal erection in the days following the vasectomy?
No problem. They are inevitable and pose no risk after a vasectomy. But that’s no reason to take advantage of them… Remember that you are advised to abstain from sexual intercourse for 5 to 7 days after a vasectomy.
How do I book my vasectomy?
First, complete the registration form on this website, giving your full medical history and any current medications. At the end of the form you choose your procedure date from the times available.
Dr Foley will review the information you have provided, and if he feels you require a pre-operative consultation you will be contacted. The wait time for a procedure varies but is usually a few weeks. We open new appointment slots every month.
Can a vasectomy be reversed?
Regardless of the occlusion technique used, a vasectomy should be considered a permanent procedure. It is only indicated if you desire permanent contraception. As long as you are uncertain about your desire to have children, you should use reversible contraceptive methods.
Still have questions?
Following your no-scalpel vasectomy, if you have any problems or simply concerns or questions, you can contact us by telephoning the clinic on 021 437 4997.