Thinking about a vasectomy? It's a big decision, but understanding the process can ease your mind. Essentially, a vasectomy is a simple surgery that prevents sperm from reaching the semen, making pregnancy impossible.
Here's the breakdown: During the procedure, the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles) are cut and sealed. This can be done through a small incision in the scrotum or, in a no-scalpel technique, a tiny puncture. The procedure usually takes about 20-30 minutes and is often performed under local anesthesia.
After a vasectomy, your testicles still produce sperm, but it's reabsorbed by the body. Your hormone levels remain the same, so your sex drive and other male characteristics are unaffected. It's important to remember that a vasectomy isn't immediately effective. It takes a few months and around 20 ejaculations to clear out any remaining sperm. A semen analysis will confirm when you're sperm-free and can rely on the vasectomy for birth control. Talk to your doctor to discuss if a vasectomy is the right choice for you.
