Vasectomy Procedure in Nashville, TN
Vasectomy Surgery
A vasectomy is a form of birth control during which the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm, are cut. When the tube is cut, there is no way for sperm to be released from the penis. This procedure is considered a permanent form of birth control, but it is possible to have a reversal surgery should the patient change their mind in the future.
At Nashville Men’s Health, we proudly serve families in Nashville and the surrounding communities, using specialized training, state-of-the-art treatment options, and a personalized approach to help men throughout Tennessee. Call (615) 250-9370 or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation at our men’s health clinics in Nashville.
What are the Benefits of a Vasectomy?
It is recommended that men only get a vasectomy when they are certain that they no longer wish to have children. It is the preferred choice for many couples because:
- The use of male birth control (condoms) or female birth control (pills, IUDs, etc.) is no longer needed.
- The procedure is almost 100 percent certain to prevent pregnancy.
- It is much less expensive than female sterilization.
What are the Vasectomy Types Available?
In most cases, a vasectomy will be performed in-office and is considered an outpatient procedure. Full-anesthesia is not required, only a local anesthetic is necessary. There are two ways to complete this procedure.
Traditional Vasectomy
The surgeon will use a scalpel to create two small incisions on either side of the scrotum. The surgeon will remove a small section of the vas deferens. The tubes are tied, or cauterized so that they are closed and can no longer transport sperm.
No-Scalpel Vasectomy
A no-scalpel vasectomy does not use incisions, rather, the surgeon is able to access the vas deferens through very small holes. No stitches are needed for this form of surgery.
What Should I Expect Recovery to be Like After the Procedure?
Immediately following a vasectomy, there will be bruising and swelling, but those symptoms should subside after a few days. Apply ice packs every few hours to help control these symptoms. Wear tight-fitting underwear so that the scrotum is provided extra support.
Get plenty of bed rest during the first week. At the very least, stay off of your feet for two or three days. Avoid bathing for about 48 hours because this will allow the incisions to heal faster and prevent infection. Take the antibiotics provided by your provider.
Most patients are able to return to their normal lives after one week.
When Can I Have Sex After a Vasectomy?
Wait at least one week before having sexual intercourse. Keep in mind, you may not be sterile right away. Ejaculate may still contain sperm and may continue to for several months after the procedure. After a few months, your provider will check sperm levels to confirm that it is declining until it reaches zero.
The vasectomy will not affect your sex drive and orgasms. Occasionally, men feel a slight pressure in their testicles when aroused, but eventually, that feeling will go away.
Vasectomy FAQs
Get Answers to All of Your Vasectomy Related Questions
A vasectomy is a popular procedure among men looking for a permanent birth control solution. With many minimally invasive techniques available from skilled urologists, this procedure is associated with vastly lower rates of potential complications as compared to the equivalent sterilization surgery used for females, which is why many couples or even single men will elect to have a vasectomy to prevent future pregnancy.
As with any sort of medical procedure, patients often have multiple questions regarding the vasectomy process and what to expect both before and after treatment. Don’t see your question in the list below? Not a problem! Simply call Nashville Men’s Health at (615) 250-9270 to schedule an appointment with one of our urologists in Nashville, TN today.
As male fertility specialists, we are uniquely positioned to help men with family planning. We offer a full discussion of options for preserving fertility in the future with cryopreservation of sperm prior to vasectomy that ensures that, if life’s circumstances change, men have options available to them. In addition, we offer patients the utmost comfort and care during their procedure, offering ProNox for added comfort during the procedure.
Men come in for an evaluation and review of the procedure as well as options for possible sperm cryopreservation prior to vasectomy if desired. We then schedule the vasectomy for 1-2 weeks later. Your provider will ask you to shave the scrotum the night before or morning of your appointment. Bring supportive underwear with you to the appointment and a ride home if you are taking pre-procedure medication or using ProNox. Plan to relax the rest of the day icing the scrotum.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in the office with the option of utilizing ProNox (an inhaled nitrous analgesia that is safe for office based procedure) for added comfort. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and patients go home the same day. Small sutures are placed in the skin that are absorbable and fall out on their own. Our goal is to provide patients the most comfortable, streamlined, and easy experience possible when addressing their family planning needs.
For no scalpel procedures, local anesthesia is applied to the skin before the vas deferens is grasped. A small hole is made in the skin and the vas is delivered through the hole. A small segment is removed, the ends are burned to prevent sperm from traveling through them, and a small amount of tissue is closed between the two ends of the tube. The skin is closed with a small absorbable suture.
After a vasectomy, expect mild discomfort for a few days to up to a week. This will improve every day and can be managed with Tylenol and ibuprofen. Supportive underwear is recommended for the first few days at least (either an athletic supporter or compression shorts) to support the scrotum.
You can resume having sex 1 week after the procedure.
No associated health risks. Women must continue using contraception until we verify there are no moving sperm on a semen sample 6-8 weeks after the procedure.
No. A vasectomy has absolutely no proven effect on a man’s sex drive, sexual functions, or pleasure during sex. There are many common myths surrounding this particular question, though all evidence clearly shows that the only difference a man should notice after a vasectomy compared to his life before is that he is no longer able to father children.
Please be very aware that the results of a vasectomy are not immediate. Your provider will need to test the patient’s sperm in the weeks following a vasectomy to determine if the procedure was in fact successful at preventing the production and transfer of sperm through the vas deferens. During this time, men are instructed not to engage in unprotected sex, as this could lead to a potential pregnancy.
A vasectomy is more than 99% effective. Of the few cases in which a pregnancy does occur after a vasectomy, a majority are within the first year after the procedure is performed.
There is a procedure for that as well! A vasectomy reversal may be offered to men who have previously undergone a vasectomy and later wish to conceive a child.
It is of course advised for patients to carefully consider this possibility before they complete a vasectomy, as vasectomy reversal procedures are not guaranteed to be effective. Men may also consider storing their sperm in a sperm bank prior to a vasectomy as a sort of safeguard to this potential situation.
The vasectomy itself is performed with local anesthesia. If pain is felt additional medication is used to make sure the patient is comfortable throughout the procedure.
A vasectomy is typically covered by insurance. Usually men will have a co-pay that is determined by how much their insurance requires that they pay. Cash based procedures are usually around $900.
Schedule Your Vasectomy Consultation in Nashville Today!
If you or your partner are considering a vasectomy for male birth control, contact Nashville Men’s Health to learn more about the benefits of a vasectomy. To schedule your vasectomy consultation at our men’s health clinics in Nashville, please call (615) 250-9370 or request an appointment through our secure online form.