Vasectomy

Vasectomy

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Treatment
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is a vasectomy?

    A vasectomy is surgery that makes a man unable to father a child. The doctor cuts and ties or seals the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis (the vas deferens). The fluid released when you ejaculate (semen) will no longer contain sperm. A woman cannot get pregnant if there are no sperm to fertilize her egg.

    Can a vasectomy be reversed?

    Yes. A vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) reconnects the tubes (vas deferens) that were cut during a vasectomy. A vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control. But reversal surgery may let a man father a child after a vasectomy.

    Appointment Information

    If you want to receive kind and compassionate care at the leading urologic practice in Michigan, call 734–936–7030.

    How is a vasectomy done?

    A vasectomy is done in a clinic or outpatient department of a hospital.

    A nurse or other health professional may shave your scrotum. The doctor will inject some medicine into the skin of the scrotum to numb it. You will feel a small needle poke.

    Before surgery, you may get medicine to help you relax and not feel pain. You may get pills, and you may get medicine through a tube (called an I.V.) in one of your veins. You will be awake during the surgery. But you may not be able to remember much about it.

    The surgeon will make either a small incision (less than a half inch long) or a puncture in the upper part of the scrotum. The vas deferens is cut and the ends are sealed. If you had an incision, it will be closed with small stitches. If your doctor used the puncture method, you won't need stitches. The procedure is done on both sides of the scrotum.

    How can you care for yourself after a vasectomy?

    Activity

    • Lie down as much as you can for the first 24 hours. Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
    • After the first day, try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent constipation.
    • Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for about 1 week after the surgery or until the doctor says it is okay.
    • Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include a child, heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, or a vacuum cleaner.
    • Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
    • Most men are able to return to work the day after surgery. This depends on the type of work you do and how you feel. It may take 2 or 3 days.
    • You may shower unless your doctor tells you not to. Pat the cut (incision) dry. Do not take a bath for about 5 days.
    • Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex. You will need to use some form of birth control until the doctor is sure your sperm count is zero.

    Diet

    • You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
    • Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).

    Medicines

    • Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
    • If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
    • Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
      • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
      • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
    • If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
    • If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
      • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
      • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.

    Incision care

    • You may gently wash the incision with warm, soapy water and pat it dry, unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
    • If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.

    Ice

    • To help with pain, put ice or a cold pack against your scrotum for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, every 4 to 6 hours. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.

    Locations
    • Urology Clinic | Chelsea Professional Office Building Floor 1 Ste 101
      Chelsea Multispecialty Clinic
      Chelsea, MI 48118-1801       Get Directions
    • Urology Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Urology Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 2 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5330       Get Directions
    • Urology Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions
    • Urology Clinic | Ypsilanti Health Center 300 W Michigan Ave Ste 4000
      Ypsilanti, MI 48197-5443       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Jake Claflin, MD

    Jake Claflin, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Urology

    James Michael Dupree, IV, MD

    James Michael Dupree, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Urology

    Benjamin Goldman, DO

    Benjamin Goldman, DO

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Urology

    Miriam Hadj-Moussa, MD

    Miriam Hadj-Moussa, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Urology

    Andre Christian King, MD

    Andre Christian King, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Urology

    Catherine Soorim Nam, MD

    Catherine Soorim Nam, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Urology

    Dana Alan Ohl, MD

    Dana Alan Ohl, MD

    Professor

    Urology

    Neil Pugashetti, MD

    Neil Pugashetti, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Urology

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