EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NO-NEEDLE, NO-SCALPEL VASECTOMY METHOD

Here at Southern California Urology Institute, Dr. Gary C. Bellman performs vasectomies as a simple way of contraception.  It remains one of the most effective forms of birth control, and in recent years, has become easier to do with minimal discomfort to patients.  The reason being a method called the No-Scalpel, No-Needle Vasectomy.

Worldwide about 50 million men have had a vasectomy; it is a commonly used form of contraception in many parts of the world.  Each year, about 500,000 men in the US get a vasectomy.  Among married couples in this country, only female sterilization and oral contraception are relied upon more often for family planning.

What is vasectomy?
Vasectomy is a simple operation that makes a man sterile, or unable to father a child.  The procedure blocks or cuts the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles.  After vasectomy, sperm cannot be mixed with semen, which is the fluid a man ejaculates during orgasm.  Semen is not made in the testicles, and vasectomy doesn’t affect the semen or how it is ejaculated.   It’s just that after vasectomy, a man’s semen contains no sperm, so he cannot make a woman pregnant.

How is vasectomy done?
There are 2 main techniques for performing vasectomy, but all of them block or cut the 2 tubes, called the vas deferens, that carry sperm cells from the testicles:

• Conventional vasectomy.  In this approach, a physician makes 1 or 2 small cuts in the skin of the scrotum, which has been numbed with a local anesthetic. The vas deferen is cut, and a small piece may be removed. Next, the doctor ties or clips the cut ends and sews up the scrotal incision. The procedure is then repeated on the other side.
• No-Scalpel, No-Needle vasectomy.  An improved vasectomy method, devised by a Chinese surgeon, has been widely used in China since 1974. This so-called nonsurgical or no-scalpel vasectomy was introduced into the United States in 1988, and many doctors are now using the technique here.

Carried out as an in-office procedure, the no-scalpel, no-needle method includes using a special instrument is used to make a tiny puncture in the skin and stretch the opening so the vas can be cut and tied.  This approach produces very little bleeding, and no stitches are needed to close the punctures, which heal quickly by themselves.  The newer method also produces less pain and fewer complications than conventional vasectomy.

Does vasectomy affect orgasm or masculinity?
No. Vasectomy has no effect on a man’s sex drive, testosterone levels, erections, orgasms, or how much semen he ejaculates.  Many men who have undergone the procedure, and their partners, find that sex is more spontaneous and enjoyable because they no longer have the inconvenience or concerns about contraceptives such as condoms or a diaphragm.  They also don’t have to worry about an accidental pregnancy.

What are the major advantages of vasectomy?

• A one-time, relatively inexpensive cost that is often covered by insurance or state grant programs
• More dependable than any other form of birth control
• Less expensive and poses less of a medical risk than female sterilization
• Easier to reverse than female sterilization
• Eliminates risks to female partner of oral contraceptives or IUDs
• Freedom from hassle and worry of contraception

It is possible to store semen in a sperm bank to preserve the possibility of producing a pregnancy at some future date.  However, doing this is costly, and the sperm in stored semen do not always remain healthy and able to cause pregnancy.  For all of these reasons, Dr. Bellman advise that vasectomy be undertaken only by men who are prepared to accept the fact that they will no longer be able to father a child.  Men who are married or in a serious relationship should also discuss the issue with their partners.

Although it is extremely effective for preventing pregnancy, vasectomy does not offer protection against AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. Consequently, it is important that vasectomized men continue to use condoms,  which offer considerable protection against the spread of disease, in any sexual encounter that carries the risk of contracting or transmitting infection.

Are there any risks to the procedure?
Any medical procedure, no matter how minor, carries some degree of risk. no-scalpel vasectomy is no different, though the risks are quite low and are lower than conventional vasectomy. Here are the complications that are possible (though very unlikely) to occur:

• Bleeding or bruising (typically minor)
• Infection
• Vasectomy failure (very rare, but it is possible for sperm to cross the void between the two blocked ends of the vas deferens)
• Sperm granuloma (a hard, pea-sized lump that results from sperm leaking from the cut end of the vas deferens—these are not harmful and typically disappear with time)
• Congestion (a sense of fullness or pressure in the scrotum, which typically resolves itself with time)

What can I expect after a no-scalpel, no-needle vasectomy?
You can resume light activity the day after a vasectomy, and full activity two days after the vasectomy.  The vast majority of men have little or no post-procedure pain.  Only about 1 in 1000 men will have enough discomfort to request a prescription pain medication.

For an office appointment regarding this matter, please call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gary C. Bellman.  We look forward to speaking with you today! 818.912.1899