Vasectomy Central
IS A VASECTOMY THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR ME?
Important considerations
The decision to have a vasectomy is not an easy one, nor should it be; after all it is a permanent form of contraception. Many men or couples spend months to years considering the pros and cons of various forms of contraception prior to choosing a vasectomy.
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Most men who regret having a vasectomy and choose to have a reversal (with no guarantee of successful pregnancy) have fewer than two children and are in their 20's.
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Before choosing to go through with a permanent vasectomy, one should ask themselves what barriers to having more children currently exist and seem permanent now, but may change and come with a change of heart. Some common examples include:
changing of life partner
changing of financial situation
loss of a child (SIDS)
loss of current pregnancy
change in career resulting in more free time
If you feel that you may want more children should any of the above occur, a vasectomy may not be the best choice for you at this time.
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If you know 100% you are done having children or never want(ed) any, please proceed to the next section. If you are unsure, click here for alternatives to contraception or email* Dr. Filion at info@vascentral.com to discuss further.
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* Please keep in mind that communications via email over the internet are not secure. Although it is unlikely, there is a possibility that information you include in an email can be intercepted and read by other parties besides the person to whom it is addressed. Please do not include personal identifying information such as your birth date, or personal medical information in any emails you send to us.
HOW IT'S DONE
Step-by-step
Dr. Filion uses the modern, minimally invasive no-scalpel vasectomy technique, exposing each vas in turn through a tiny opening in the front scrotal wall under local anesthesia [click here for anatomy]. Since the opening is so small, it heals without using stitches.
A 30g ultra-fine needle is used to freeze the area to a depth of approximately 3/16 of an inch, enough to surround and anesthetize each vas tube in turn as it is lifted into position beneath the skin.
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The tiny opening in the dime-sized area of numb skin is made with a pointy hemostat: one tip makes a pinpoint opening, then the two tips are used to spread and enlarge the opening to about 1/4 of an inch. Since blood vessels in the skin are spread apart rather than cut, bleeding is less than when a scalpel is used, no stitches are required, and the opening is usually sealed closed (often barely visible) by the next day.
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Once each vas tube is lifted through the small skin opening, it is divided under direct vision with fine surgical scissors. Nothing is removed; the ends of the divided vas are placed out of alignment and kept from rejoining by a vascular clip around the sheaths surrounding the vas. This allows one end to stay inside the sheath and the other outside which gives extra protection.
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ANATOMY
Bladder: stores your urine. Not affected by a vasectomy.
Urethra: carries urine from your bladder to your favourite target. Also carries semen out during ejaculation. Not affected by a vasectomy.
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Seminal vesicle & prostate: produces 95% of semen which helps support, nourish and move sperm. Semen production is not changed after a vasectomy.
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Vas deferens: Carries sperm from the testis/ epididymis to be mixed with fluid from the prostate and seminal vesicles during ejaculation. This IS what is cut, cauterized and separated from reconnecting during a no-scalpel vasectomy. After a vasectomy sperm will no longer bein your semen.
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Epididymis: Where sperm is matures and is stored between ejaculations. Not directly affected by a vasectomy but some may have some discomfort in the area post vasectomy.
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Testicles: What produces sperm and various hormones including testosterone. Neither are affected by a vasectomy.
