Vasectomy - What to Expect
If you're considering getting a vasectomy, there are a few things that you should know, says Dr. Mark Jackson of Ozark Urology.
“You should understand that vasectomy is a permanent form of contraception. You may have heard that you can have a vasectomy reversed later, but reversal and in vitro fertilization options are not guaranteed ways to conceive after a vasectomy,” Jackson explains. “However, the procedure itself or procedure side effects should not preclude or stop someone from having a vasectomy.”
Vasectomies are an extremely common procedure performed in a doctor's office using a local anesthetic. “Most vasectomies are performed quickly with the patient awake and walking out of the office afterwards,” Jackson says.
Before coming into the office for the vasectomy, most people will take a medication to help with any nerves they may have that day. “After numbing the area, the minimally invasive procedure takes about 20 minutes to complete. The vast majority of men are back to their daily activities within a week,” Jackson says.
After vasectomy, there is no increased risk of testicular cancer, heart disease or high blood pressure. There is also no decrease in testosterone production after the procedure.
“To make sure that a vasectomy was successful, we’ll ask you to come back and provide a semen sample 12 weeks later. If that one semen sample is negative, then that couple can stop using contraception,” Jackson says.
If you're thinking about getting a vasectomy or have questions, call Ozark Urology at 479.404.1100 for a consultation to see if this form of contraception is right for you.