Vasectomy – a method of permanent contraception in men

Vasectomy – a method of permanent contraception in men

Vasectomy is a method of permanent contraception in men. It provides 99% effective contraception and the impossibility of releasing spermatozoa with the semen. All who undergo the procedure must be fully aware that they will not be able to have children after it. Spermatozoa are formed in the testicles and leave them fully matured through the vas deferens to enter the seminal fluid. During a vasectomy, the release of sperm is blocked by means of laser intervention or each of the seminal tubes is surgically cut. In this way, the movement of spermatozoa to the composition of the seminal fluid is blocked. They remain in the testicles where they formed and matured and are absorbed by the body. A vasectomy is a minimally invasive procedure and is performed under local anesthesia in about 30 minutes. Post-procedural swelling and soreness in the scrotal area may occur, which are transient complaints. Although rare, due to the invasiveness of the procedure, it is possible to develop a local infection if the rules of sterility and subsequent treatment of the wound are not followed. After the operation, men continue to ejaculate, but no sperm can be detected in it. Approximately 8 weeks or the release of at least 20-30 ejaculates are required to achieve this effect. The reason is that there are single spermatozoa left in the area of ??the vas deferens, which still continue to make up the semen. For this reason, it is important that patients do a spermogram 6-8 weeks after the manipulation to prove the complete absence of live spermatozoa in the seminal fluid. A vasectomy does not protect men from contracting sexually transmitted infections, so the use of a condom during risky sexual contact should be considered. Vasectomy is an important method of achieving permanent sterilization, especially when patients are absolutely convinced that they do not want to leave offspring. The advantages of the procedure also lie in the fact that there are rarely long-term consequences for the health of patients. There is no deviation in the level of sex hormones, and there is no impact on the libido of men. In rare cases, patients may wish to regain their fertility. This is possible in some countries and is determined by how the vasectomy was done. In general, there is a success rate of about 55% if the procedure is done up to 10 years after the vasectomy. After the 10th year, the probability of fertility recovery drops to 25%. Rare long-term complications after a vasectomy can include the formation of sperm granulomas and long-term pain in the testicles. Sperm granulomas form in the area where the vas deferens have been cut. From the cut tubes in this area, it is possible to accumulate spermatozoa, which become encased in granulation tissue.Thus, hard lumps are formed immediately after or several months after the vasectomy, which in most cases are not painful and do not disturb the sexual activity of the patients. Sometimes, when there is still soreness, anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to reduce swelling and pain. And when they are very large in size, their surgical removal may be necessary. Long-term testicular pain affects about 1 in 10 men after a vasectomy. The pain is usually the result of a pinched nerve or a scar that occurred during surgery. The pain may appear immediately after the manipulation or months or years after it. It can be sporadic in nature, but in some cases it can be constant and dull or occur in episodes like a sharp intense pain. Although these are rare complications of vasectomy, they should be recognized and treated promptly. References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vasectomy/about/pac-20384580 https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/contraception/vasectomy/

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