The moment you start having sex, both the decision to have children and the responsibility it carries become an issue. Birth control plays a vital role in having sex without the risk of kids when you’re not ready for them, and for men, the primary options for short-term contraception have consisted of condoms, withdrawal, and abstinence.
When you’ve decided to stop having kids altogether, however, vasectomies have a high success rate and allow you to continue being sexually active without sacrificing sensation or libido. However, like any surgical procedure, it’s not without risks, so let’s review why people choose this solution, how it’s done, and what to expect afterward.
If you’re interested in vasectomies or other long-term solutions for sexual health, Drs. Craig Herman and Steven Kester and their experienced team at Urology Center of Florida are here to help people in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and South Florida.
If you and your partner want to stop having children, you can avail yourselves of treatments for both men and women that will prevent pregnancy. Men can choose vasectomies, with 4% of the world’s male population choosing the procedure, which provides a nearly 100% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. From 2014 to 2021, the number of vasectomies in the US rose 26%.
Frequently, the choice is made for social and economic reasons, including because couples can’t afford the rising cost of raising families, or they don’t want any more children.
A vasectomy consists of closing the vas deferens from delivering sperm to your semen during sex, preventing the ability to inseminate and procreate. This treatment can be performed in a couple of ways:
Two small incisions are made in your scrotum, then your vas deferens is divided and clipped. The area is cauterized and, if necessary, stitched closed.
A small instrument makes a hole in your scrotum and gently spreads it open so the doctor can perform the same process.
The procedure takes about 15 minutes, and when it’s done, you’ll be able to drive yourself home.
Minor side effects, such as swelling, bruising, and discomfort, are common after treatment and generally fade after about two weeks. To confirm the lack of sperm in your semen once this process is complete, you’ll undergo sperm counts, so you’ll be able to enjoy sex afterward, but for three months after the procedure, you’ll still need protection to play it safe.
Vasectomies rank very high for successfully preventing pregnancies, pose minor risks, and can be reversed if you change your mind. For questions, concerns, or any issues you may have regarding this form of birth control, call or message the Urology Center of Florida team today for an appointment.
