A. Bilateral vasectomy is a simple operation performed to produce infertility in men. It is a safe procedure taking about 15 minutes in the hands of a skilled surgeon and is done under local anesthetic. By virtue of all of the above, it is a procedure which carries less risk than a tubal ligation done in a woman, who often must be put to sleep under general anesthetic and undergo an abdominal surgery.
Technically, what is done during a vasectomy is that the vas deferens, the tube-like structure carrying sperm from the testes to the urethra (pee-passageway), is cut and tied off with sutures on each end. That leaves the fluid from the seminal vesicles and the prostate to make up the ejaculate.
What is important to remember when considering having a vasectomy is the
following:
As for all the discussion of reversibility and the potential for it after having a vasectomy, my own attitude is quite simple. Although some will claim reversibility rates of 30%, it ought to be a mute point. No one should undergo the procedure of a vasectomy (or a tubal ligation for that matter) if they are not 100% sure that they do not want any more children. Reversible or not, you should consider the operation 100% effective and 100% forever.
TIP: If you plan on making multiple queries, you might wish to make a bookmark to this page.
