Vasectomy
What is a vasectomy?
Vasectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to make a man sterile, or unable to have children.
To understand how a vasectomy works, you must first understand the reproductive system.
Pregnancy occurs when a man’s sperm joins a woman’s egg. The sperm are produced in the
testes, the male sex glands that are located in the scrotum, a loose sac of skin beneath the penis.
The sperm mature in the epididymis, the
vas deferens
tube on top of the testicle. The seminal
prostate gland
vesicles and prostate gland secrete white,
sticky fluid called semen. The sperm
travel in the semen through the urethra, epididymis
which is the same tube that carries urine.
When you have an orgasm, semen is
ejaculated out of the urethra.
urethra
During surgery, the two vas deferens are
cut and sealed off, preventing the sperm
from traveling from the testes out through scrotum
testis (testicle)
the penis. Your testes will still produce
sperm, but because they can no longer
leave via the ejaculate, they will die and be absorbed by your body. Because semen is composed
of thick fluids and very little sperm, you will not notice a change in your ejaculate.
Preparing for surgery
Your doctor will talk with you and explain the surgery, answering any questions you may have.
You will need to sign a consent form prior to having surgery. If you have been prescribed
Valium, you should bring that with you and sign the consent before you take the pill. You will be
advised not to take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Aleve, or any other blood thinners for at least
one week prior to surgery. You need to shower the morning of your procedure and shave your
scrotum and around the base of your penis. You also need to buy an athletic supporter or
compression shorts, as these will be required immediately following your procedure. You may
eat a light snack prior to surgery, and you will need someone to drive you home afterward.
How is a vasectomy done?
Vasectomy is an outpatient procedure and may be done in
your doctor’s office or in an out patient surgery center.
When you arrive, you will be asked to undress and lie on a
table. You may be given medication to help you relax.
You will be covered with sterile drapes to prevent
infection, then the doctor will administer local anesthetic
into your scrotum. Once the area is numb, he will make
one or two small incisions in the scrotum through which he
will work. This may be done with a scalpel or a pointed
clamp (no-scalpel procedure). The vas deferens will be
lifted out through this incision and cut, and a section from
each side will be removed. During this time you may feel a tugging sensation, but you should
not feel any sharp pain. Each end of the vas deferens will be sealed with cautery and tied with
sutures. The puncture or incision may be closed with sutures, or your doctor may opt to allow
them to close naturally on their own.
What happens after my procedure?
After your procedure, you will be allowed to go home. It is important to limit your physical
activity as directed by your doctor and to follow all instructions to promote healing. You will
need to place ice on the scrotum according to your doctor’s directions to prevent swelling and
pain. Most doctors will allow you to resume sexual activity in approximately one to two weeks,
but it is very important that you continue to use another form of birth control until your
sterility has been confirmed by semen analysis. Although you have had a vasectomy, some
sperm may continue to live in the semen. They may be trapped in the upper part of the vas
deferens, so it may take a few months before you’re completely sterile.
Points to consider before vasectomy
While a vasectomy may be reversible, it should be considered a permanent decision. Reversal of
a vasectomy is not guaranteed to work and is generally not covered by insurance. There are
many other methods of birth control, and you should explore these options fully with your doctor
before having a vasectomy.
A vasectomy will not affect your ability to have sex. You will still be able to have erections and
orgasms as well as you did prior to surgery, and it will not reduce your sex drive. Vasectomy
has not been proven to increase your risk of certain diseases, including prostate cancer or heart
disease.
Possible risks and complications
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of vasectomy with you prior to signing your
consent form. Some of these risks could include bleeding, sperm granuloma, a small lump in the
scrotum where the vas deferens is sealed off, sperm buildup or epididymitis which may cause
discomfort in the testicles, both of which can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, and
reconnection of the vas deferens. This is rare, but the body’s ability to heal itself is amazing, and
rarely the vas deferens can reconnect, possibly resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. If you have
questions regarding other potential complications following vasectomy, be sure to consult with
your doctor prior to having surgery.
Vasectomy is a serious decision that can permanently affect your ability to father children.
Therefore, be sure to consider all birth control options carefully before proceeding. Once you
decide a vasectomy is right for you, you’ll enjoy the freedom permanent birth control can bring.
2500 E. Capitol Dr. Ste. 2600
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-3537/1-800-529-9908
PRE-PROCEDURE VASECTOMY INSTRUCTIONS

Take a bath of shower on the morning of surgery with particular care to thoroughly wash
the scrotal area.

YOU MUST SHAVE YOUR SCROTAL AREA PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE.
DO NOT USE AN ELECTRIC RAZOR, NAIR, OR OTHER HAIR REMOVAL
PRODUCTS.

Eat a light meal prior to your vasectomy. Please take any medications as instructed by
your physician.

Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or other blood thinners 7 days prior to your
scheduled vasectomy. These increase the risk of bleeding.

Your doctor MAY have prescribed Valium for you to take prior to the procedure. If he
did, you need to pick it up from the pharmacy prior to your appointment and bring it with
you. You should arrive 30 minutes prior and sign the consent form before taking your
Valium. If you have not been prescribed Valium and would like to have it for the appt,
please call our office and ask to speak to the phone nurse.

You will need someone to drive you to and from your procedure.

Be sure to bring an athletic supporter (1 size larger than you will normally wear).
This will provide support for the scrotum as well as hold the dressing in place.

If you have INSURANCE coverage which will reimburse you in whole or part for this
operation, bring your forms or insurance card to our office and we will submit them for
you. However, if you have no insurance or have a deductible or co-payment, you will
need to pay for this before the procedure is done. Please talk to our office staff if you
have any questions.
To contact our office, please call (920)739-3537 or 1-800-529-9908.
2500 E. Capitol Dr. Ste. 2600
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-3537 / 1-800-529-9908
POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS FOR VASECTOMY PATIENTS

You may return to your normal diet as soon as you arrive home.

Your physical activity should be limited the first 48 hours following the procedure to lessen the
chance of swelling. Avoid strenuous exercise for 7 days.

You may return to work in 3 days unless your job requires heavy lifting then discuss time
off with your doctor at time of vasectomy. Generally you will need to be off work for one
week if heaving lifting is required.

Wear an athletic supporter for the first 5 days, even at night, following the procedure. This will
help keep the swelling at a minimum.

Ice packs wrapped in a cloth or towel should be placed on and off the scrotum for the first 48
hours. Place the ice pack on for 2 hours and off for 1 hour. Ice is a good pain reliever and keeps
the swelling down.

You may have a small amount of bloody discharge from the incision site for 1 to 2 days.

The scrotum may get "black and blue" and then yellow in color. In time, this will go away. The
testicles may be swollen. One testicle may be more swollen than the other. This is common.

You may shower after 48 hours. No swimming, hot tub or tub bath for 2 weeks.

Take pain medication as directed. You will be numb from the Lidocaine block for about 3 hours.
During this time it is best to start with pain medication.

You may resume sexual activity when you feel comfortable. Make sure you do not rely on your
vasectomy for contraception. BIRTH CONTROL METHODS SHOULD BE USED UNTIL
YOUR STERILITY HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY OUR OFFICE.

Problems you should report to us:
1. Fever over 101.5, chills, drainage from the skin incision (other than a
small amount of bloody discharge), and /or a very painful incision site.
2. Moderate or severe swelling under the skin incision or involving the scrotum.
Contact our office at 920-739-3537 or 1-800-529-9908 for any questions or to report any
problems.
2500 E. Capitol Dr. Ste. 2600
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-3537 / 1-800-529-9908
POST VASECTOMY LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS
It is important to have a post operative semen exam to insure that there are no sperm in your
ejaculate. We recommend that you wait three to four months and approximately 25 ejaculations
prior to obtaining a semen analysis.

You should receive a letter approximately 8 weeks after your vasectomy to remind you to obtain
your semen analysis.

You may have been provided instructions and a specimen cup for this test. Please call your
insurance company and verify that the laboratory you have been instructed to take your specimen
is a contracted lab. Should there be a discrepancy, please call our office and we will re-issue lab
orders.

If you did not receive, or no longer have the sterile cup, you may stop by our office to pick one
up.

Specimens must be collected in the cup provided. (Not a condom)

Specimens must be kept at room temperature and delivered to your lab of choice within 72 hours
of collection. To schedule your lab drop-off appointment, please call us at the number listed. If
you have been instructed to drop off a specimen at an alternative laboratory, please call them
directly for location and hours of operation.

Our office will notify you of the semen analysis result. If you have not heard from our office
within 10 days of your specimen lab drop, please call our office and ask for the triage nurse.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
DO NOT DISCONTINUE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PREGNANCY UNTIL OUR
OFFICE HAS CONFIRMED YOUR STERILITY
2500 E. Capitol Dr. Ste. 2600
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-3537 / 1-800-529-9908