Anand Shridharani, MD, UT Erlanger Urology; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical SocietyQ: After much discussion and thought, my wife and I have decided that we are happy with the size of our family. I am considering a vasectomy but am a little worried about the procedure. Is it painful?
A: A vasectomy is one of the safest and most effective forms of birth control available, proving 99 percent successful. It effectively eliminates the possibility of causing pregnancy by stopping the ability of sperm to leave the body. The procedure is very quick, taking between 8 and 10 minutes, and is done while the patient is awake. Medication is offered if the patient is anxious but many men read, listen to music or watch videos during the procedure.
A no-needle technique is utilized to administer a localized numbing agent. Once the area is numb, the doctor will make tiny openings in the skin – so small that they do not require any stitching or stapling – and remove a small portion of the vas deferens, which carries the sperm. The tubes’ end are sealed to prevent reattaching, and a clip is placed between them.
Recovery is quick, requiring restrictions on heavy lifting and abstinence from intercourse for about a week. Those who do experience pain can manage it at home with over-the-counter, non-aspirin medications such as ibuprofen.
– Anand Shridharani, MD, UT Erlanger Urology; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
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