Vasectomy

A safe and permanent form of male contraception

A vasectomy is a highly reliable and straightforward method of male sterilisation. It is an ideal option for men who do not wish to have (more) children or who want to take responsibility for contraception themselves, for example if their partner cannot or does not want to use hormonal contraception.

A vasectomy does not affect your masculinity. The procedure has no impact on testosterone levels, sex drive, or erectile function. The volume of ejaculate also remains virtually unchanged, as sperm make up only a very small proportion of it. In other words, a vasectomy does not affect your sexual function – it simply prevents pregnancy.

How is a vasectomy performed?

What to expect after the procedure

Most men experience only mild discomfort around the treatment area for one or two days. We recommend taking it easy and avoiding strenuous physical activity during this time. After around 48 hours, you can usually return to your normal routine, including sports and sexual activity.

A vasectomy is not immediately effective. It typically takes around 25 ejaculations over a period of 5–8 weeks for all remaining sperm to be cleared from the reproductive tract. Until then, you should continue using another form of contraception.

After this period, your doctor will arrange a follow-up semen analysis to confirm that your ejaculate no longer contains sperm. Only once this has been confirmed should the vasectomy be considered fully effective.

Preparing for the procedure

• We recommend shaving the scrotal area before the procedure.
• Wear comfortable clothing on the day of your appointment.
• If you are having conscious sedation, it is advisable to arrange for someone to accompany you home.
• You will be asked to sign an informed consent form before the procedure.

A vasectomy is a quick and minimally invasive procedure, but it is intended to be permanent. If you have even the slightest doubt about your future plans, we recommend considering sperm cryopreservation (freezing) before undergoing the procedure.