Frequently Asked Questions

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• Less discomfort.             
• Ten times fewer complications than conventional (scalpel) technique.              
• No sutures needed.              
• Spray anesthetic is virtually painless.             
• 40 to 50% quicker recovery than conventional vasectomy. 

• The difference is in the way the doctor gains access to the vas deferens.  In a conventional vasectomy, after the scrotum has been numbed with a local anesthetic, the doctor makes one or two small cuts in the skin and lifts out each tube in turn, cutting and blocking them so the sperm cannot reach the semen. Then the doctor stitches the cuts closed.  
• In a No-Scalpel Vasectomy, the doctor feels for the vas deferens under the skin and holds them in place.  Instead of making two incisions, the doctor uses a spray anesthetic and makes one tiny puncture with a special instrument. The vas deferens is then blocked using the same methods as conventional vasectomy.  There is very little bleeding with the no-scalpel technique. No stitches are needed to close the tiny opening, which heals quickly, with no scar. 

Vasectomy in general is safe and simple.  Vasectomy is an operation, and all surgery has some risks, such as bleeding, bruising, and infection.  However, serious problems are very rare.  

Our goal is to make your procedure as painless as possible.  Since we use a spray anesthetic technique, the No-scalpel vasectomy is an almost painless procedure. Once the  anesthetic has been sprayed in to the skin, you should feel no pain.  Some men feel a brief "tugging" sensation as the vas deferens is manipulated during the procedure.  Most men tell that the procedure was far easier than they were expecting.  

After a vasectomy, you may be a little sore for a few days.  Generally, two day's rest is enough time for recovery before men can return to work and most normal, non-strenuous physical activity.  Most men only require Tylenol or Advil for a few days.  Exercise and sex can usually be resumed 7 days after the procedure.   The discomfort is usually less with the no-scalpel technique because there is less injury to the tissues. Your doctor or nurse will provide you with complete instructions about what to do after vasectomy.    

On average, it only takes 12 minutes to perform No-Scalpel Vasectomy.  Our vasectomies are done right in the doctor's office.   With our "single visit" vasectomy consultation and procedure, your clinic visit will be less than one hour.

You must be absolutely sure that you don't want to father a child under any circumstances.  Then, talk to your partner.  It's a good idea to make the decision together.  Consider other kinds of  birth control.  It might help to talk to a friend or relative who has had a vasectomy.   A vasectomy might not be right for you if you are very  young, your current relationship is not stable, you are having the  vasectomy just to please your partner, you are under a lot of stress, or you are counting on being able to reverse the procedure later.    

The only thing that will change is that you will  not be able to make your partner pregnant. Your body will continue to produce testosterone.  You will have the same amount of semen.  Vasectomy won't change your beard, muscles, sex drive, erections, or climax.  Some men say that without the worry of accidental pregnancy and the bother of other birth control methods, sex is more relaxed and enjoyable than before.  

Vasectomy only interrupts the vas deferens that  carries sperm from the testes to where they are added to your semen.  99% of the semen is produced in the prostate, and this remains unchanged.  A vasectomy does not alter a man's sensation of orgasm and pleasure. Your penis and  your testes are not altered in any way. The procedure has no impact on the man's ability to perform sexually, nor does it affect the balance of male hormones or sex drive. Your body still produces semen, and erections and ejaculations occur normally.  As before, the body naturally absorbs unused sperm.  A man will not feel any different physically from the way he felt before. 

No.  After a vasectomy, there are always some active sperm left in your system.  It takes about 30 ejaculations to clear them.  You and your partner should use some other form of birth control until your semen is free of sperm.  We will check  your semen three months after vasectomy.  This is an important step that is included at no additional cost.