You’re done having children and perhaps you are looking at permanent birth control. In that case, a vasectomy might be on your mind. A vasectomy procedure is the most effective form of contraception for men
A vasectomy is a permanent form of male contraception. However, the vasectomy procedure can be also surgically reversed.
Let’s look at all you need to know about having a vasectomy in Australia.
How is a vasectomy performed?
When you have a vasectomy, there are a number of options;
Traditional vasectomy
In a traditional scalpel vasectomy procedure, a small cut is made in the scrotum after the chosen anesthetic has been administered. The surgeon then locates the vas deferens (the tubes that connect the sperm to the seminal fluid) and severs them.
If the vas deferens are blocked or cauterised it’s called a closed-ended vasectomy. If nothing else is done the procedure is called an open-ended vasectomy. An open-ended vasectomy procedure will eventually close on its own. Once this is done the small incision in the scrotum is sutured.
A vasectomy reversal is easier to perform after an open-ended vasectomy procedure.
No scalpel vasectomy
Once the anesthetic of choice has worked, a small orifice is made in the scrotum. Then the skin is stretched to allow the surgeon to see inside. The rest of the ligation procedure is the same as in the scalpel method but, once finished, the needle procedure doesn’t need any suturing.
A no-scalpel vasectomy is a simple procedure for permanent contraception.
Regardless of which permanent form of contraception you choose, nothing should feel or look different. As soon as you can resume sexual activity, your sex life should return to normal. The vasectomy procedure does not change your sex drive, orgasm or sexual satisfaction. When you ejaculate it will feel and look exactly as before. The only difference is your ejaculated semen won’t have any sperm in it.
Vasectomy under local anaesthetic
Doctors can perform a vasectomy under a local anaesthetic, which doesn’t require an operating theatre. The benefits of this are quicker recovery time, fewer complications and less stress on your system than coping with a general anaesthetic.
Vasectomy under light general anaesthetic
For some men, just the thought of going through surgery for this permanent method of contraception causes them great anxiety. Have you heard of ‘man flu’? Well, imagine a man’s reaction to having surgery on his scrotum while he’s fully conscious. He might have a point, though. To go through something like that would be quite daunting.
The option of a light anesthetic is a safe option. If a general anesthetic is used, the vasectomy procedure needs to be performed in an operating theatre. Recovery takes longer, however, as the general anesthetic needs to leave the system before the patient is discharged.
Complications from a vasectomy
Infection
Like any surgical procedure, an infection can occur. Unfortunately, this is a common side effect of vasectomy, so if you notice any weeping, swelling, or redness, it’s best to get it checked out straight away and catch it early on. Most infections are mild and can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Post vasectomy pain
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure and, after any surgical intervention, pain is likely to occur. In most vasectomies, pain will eventually disappear. However, research shows that post-vasectomy pain can last more than three months. This is called vasectomy pain syndrome and it can happen any time after the vasectomy.
In some cases, vasectomy reversal surgery is the best treatment for post-vasectomy pain.
How much does a vasectomy cost in Australia?
Compared with other permanent sterilisation procedures, a vasectomy is much less invasive and much more affordable than female sterilisation.
Although the price varies slightly from one medical clinic to another, a vasectomy in Australian could cost (for a standard procedure) between $500-750.
Are vasectomies covered by Medicare?
Medicare helps with the costs of a vasectomy in Australia. The Medicare rebate for a vasectomy in Australia is about $200, depending on your health coverage. This makes the procedure highly accessible for most men.
At what age can you have a vasectomy in Australia?
In Australia, if you are already a father, you can have a vasectomy as early as 18 years of age. To have a vasectomy in Australia at this age is quite rare and although you can have one it’s advisable to have an open-ended vasectomy.
Your surgeon will perform this operation, taking your young age into account, in case a vasectomy reversal is needed in the future.
Can I have a vasectomy if I don’t have kids?
You can. However, to undertake a vasectomy in Australia you need to wait until you’re 25 years old, in case you want to father children later on. It’s important to understand that this method of contraception is permanent and the decision cannot be taken lightly.
Men under 25 are more sexually active, so other forms of contraception are preferable – especially those that protect men and women from sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are the contraceptives of choice for younger men. They are safe, cheap, painless, protective and non-permanent.
Make sure you know when to put on the condom, so as to avoid unintended pregnancy and protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
You can read more in Can You Get Pregnant From Precum? and What Is Precum?
Are vasectomies 100% effective?
Yes, vasectomies are extremely effective. Experts never give a 100% guarantee for any procedure, however, as zero risk cannot be established. 99.99% is usually a number that leaves the professionals at ease and gives the user peace of mind about the effectiveness of this procedure.
What happens to sperm after a vasectomy?
This is the question that most people ask when discussing vasectomy. If a few million sperm are released every time a man ejaculates, then what happens to them if their way out is blocked?
Although it’s difficult to believe, 5 million sperm are insignificant when talking about the space they take up. In fact, sperm are reabsorbed by the body without causing any problems.
Is a vasectomy painful?
In most cases, it is not. The numbing of the scrotum and the stitches can cause some discomfort but not much. If the numbing of the skin worries you, there are numbing creams that can be used prior to the insertion of the local anesthetic.
What are the disadvantages of a vasectomy?
It goes without saying that following a vasectomy procedure sex might be temporarily or (more rarely) permanently impaired. Many men say their sexual function is the same after the surgical procedure operation as it was before, but some have lingering difficulties that vary in severity. Some retain a dull ache and some experience a reduction in sensation for some time.
The vast majority of men who undergo a vasectomy enjoy sex more afterwards as they don’t have to stop sexual intimacy to put a condom on and they no longer have to worry about avoiding a pregnancy.
Does vasectomy cause weight gain?
A vasectomy procedure is purely mechanical. There are no hormonal changes that might interfere with your metabolism. As we said, sperm cells are tiny; they will be reabsorbed and will not accumulate in the body.
Which is safer – tube tying or vasectomy?
A vasectomy should be a couple’s permanent contraception of choice for many reasons.
Tubal ligation (or tube tying) is major abdominal surgery. A vasectomy procedure takes just a few minutes and, if it’s performed with local anesthesia, the man walks home right after the procedure.
A woman’s tubal ligation cannot be reversed; a vasectomy can.
Because a vasectomy is much less complicated, the risks involved are much lower than those of abdominal surgery.
If the couple has children, the woman’s contribution has already been much greater than the man’s. If you’ve decided you don’t want more children, it’s just common sense that the man goes through this small surgical procedure instead of the woman having to go through a major one.
