Vasectomy in Sacramento, CA
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.
If you’re considering a vasectomy in the Sacramento area, contact Advanced Urology today to schedule an appointment. Urologist Javid Javidan, MD is board-certified by the American Board of Urology and has extensive experience performing safe and effective vasectomies. Call our Carmichael clinic at (916) 245-2444 or our Folsom clinic at (916) 936-1010 today, or submit a request online using our secure form. We perform safe and effective vasectomies for patients throughout the Sacramento area including Sonora, Jamestown, Columbia, Soulsbyville, Angels Camp, Arnold, Altaville, Groveland, Oakdale, Turlock, Riverbank, and Modesto.
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.
Vasectomy Types
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
Rather than making a sizable incision on the scrotum, the no-scalpel vasectomy is performed entirely through a puncture made in the scrotal sac. This hole is so small that stitches are rarely ever required after the procedure is complete. Topical anesthetic is applied to ensure that no pain is felt during the vasectomy.
The process is much the same as a standard vasectomy with the ultimate goal being to prevent the patient from having children in the future. To achieve sterilization, the vas deferens must be severed. These two tubes are responsible for transporting a man’s sperm to his semen, which is stored in the testes. By cutting the vas deferens, it becomes impossible for this sperm to travel outside of the body and potentially fertilize a woman’s eggs.
During a keyhole vasectomy, each of these tubes are gently manipulated until they protrude through the puncture site. Once your urologist has a clear visual of the area, the vas deferens are cut and blocked permanently.
Benefits of a No-Scalpel Vasectomy
Any type of vasectomy presents a number of advantages to each potential patient. Men who are looking to avoid future children in a way that is safe, effective, and affordable are often considered primary candidates for this kind of procedure.
Aside from the regular benefits of a vasectomy, the no-scalpel procedure also allows for:
- Shorter recovery time
- Reduced risk of complications such as infection or bleeding
- The ability to resume sexual activities much sooner
- No scarring
- The ability to perform the procedure from one of our convenient urology clinic locations
Recovery After a Vasectomy
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 that your doctor provides.
Most patients can return to their normal lives after one week.
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, the doctor 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.
Schedule a Vasectomy Consultation
If you would like to talk to urologist Javid Javidan, MD about a vasectomy in the Sacramento area, please call our Carmichael clinic at (916) 245-2444 or call our Folsom clinic at (916) 936-1010. You can also request an appointment through our secure online form.
Vasectomy FAQs
It is important for patients to share all relevant information with Dr. Javidan, as these may influence the result of the vasectomy. For example, be sure to communicate any known allergies or effects caused by common medications or topical anesthetics. It is also critical to address and questions or concerns during this preliminary stage so that patients can be well informed and educated about their procedure.
Exact instructions will be given prior to arriving at Advanced Urology for your vasectomy. While these guidelines may vary, they generally include:
- Avoiding blood thinners, anti-inflammatories, or aspirin in the few days leading up to the procedure
- Eat a small, nutritious meal before the vasectomy to prevent lightheadedness or nausea that can occur after fasting for several hours
- Wearing an athletic supporter or tightfitting undergarments to support the treatment area after the vasectomy
- Shower before surgery to ensure the site is appropriately cleaned before the procedure
- You may also be asked to shave the genitals yourself, or this may be done in the office before the vasectomy begins
- Arrange to have a friend or family member help to care for you after the procedure is complete
Depending upon Dr. Javidan’s chosen approach, a vasectomy may be performed using various specialized techniques. While traditional surgery to complete a vasectomy is still a highly effective option, many urologists now offer minimally invasive options for men who wish to complete this procedure.
No matter what method is selected, the process remains relatively the same. To begin, the patient will be numbed so that they are comfortable throughout the entire treatment, at which point a small incision will be made so that Dr. Javidan has access to the patient’s vas deferens. The vas deferens are two tubes responsible for carrying a man’s semen from the testicles to create semen. Without the vas deferens, sperm have no way to exit the body and fertilize a woman’s egg, meaning that pregnancy is not possible.
After the vas deferens are cut and quickly sealed using highly focused heat at the ends of each tube, the procedure is essentially complete. A stitch or two may be made to close the treatment site, though the incision is usually so small that it can be left to heal on its own.
Recovery from a vasectomy, especially one that is performed using minimally invasive techniques, is quite minimal. Patients should expect some soreness and swelling in the first 24-48 hours after their vasectomy, though this should dissipate quickly so long as they rest and limit their activities as much as possible during this period.
Most men are able to return to work and other everyday responsibilities within 2-3 days following their vasectomy, though it is advised to avoid any heavy lifting or other strenuous activity until you receive proper clearance from Dr. Javidan.
The most common side effects after a vasectomy are mild pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Of course it is still possible for more severe issues to occur, though they are incredibly rare. These include:
- Infection
- Chronic pain
- Failure to prevent pregnancy
- Granuloma (inflammation caused by leaking sperm)
- Spermatocele formation (a small cyst of the upper testicle region)
- Hydrocele (a fluid-filled sac of tissue that grows within the scrotum)
Individuals at risk for more serious complications include those who have suffered testicular cancer or testicular disease, though even in these outlying groups rarely encounter serious side effects caused by a vasectomy. Be sure to discuss your own individual risk factors with Dr. Javidan to determine if a vasectomy is a safe option for you.
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. Dr. Javidan 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.