Other sites in our network: What's on TV | Now | Pick Me Up | Puzzles and Prizes
Branding_print

Vasectomy (male sterilisation)

Vasectomy (male sterilisation)

placeholding invisible text

placeholding invisible text

Average rating: 4 out of 5 star rating

goodtoknow says: Vasectomy is a minor operation which stops a man's sperm reaching the semen and is therefore considered a permanent form of contraception. A vasectomy takes around 30 minutes under local anaesthetic and involves cutting or sealing the tube that takes sperm to the penis. He may feel uncomfortable for a few days afterwards but recovery is usually quick. However, he must be completely sure he doesn't want children before having a vasectomy. Operations to 'reverse' it are only 50 per cent successful.

For a full medical explanation of the treatment of vasectomy from patient.co.uk, read on.

Vasectomy is an effective and permanent form of contraception. The operation is quicker, easier, and more effective than female sterilisation. There is a very small failure rate.

What is vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a small operation to cut the vas deferens. This is the tube that takes sperm from the testes to the penis. Sperm are made in the testes. Once the vas deferens is cut, sperm can no longer get into the semen that is ejaculated ('comes') during sex.

How reliable is vasectomy?

Vasectomy is very reliable - but not quite 100%. About 1 in 1000 operations are not successful, and semen tests show sperm still present after the operation. Even after a successful operation about 1 in 2000 men who have had a vasectomy will become fertile again at some point in the future. This is because, rarely, the two ends of the cut vas deferens re-unite in time.

Average rating:

4 out of 5 star rating

Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below

simon winter, 9 months

I had a vasectomy around 2 years ago and now after that realtionship ended i have met my childhood sweetheart and so desperatley want to have a baby with her, what are the chances a reversal could work for us and what advice could you give us please.

Report this comment

stewart lansdale, about 1 year

I am 44 years old had a vasectomy when i was 25. After the operation I had complications and swelling. This relationship failed and when I was 30 I met someone else and we wanted children. However when seeking a reversal I was advised that my body can no longer produce sperm. Could you advise what this condition is known as and aside of a reversal are there any alternative methods for me to gain the ability to fertilise in the future

Report this comment

SEAN LAYCOCK, over 2 years

I HAD A VESECTOMY AND IT ALL WENT WELL, IT WAS WHAT I WANTED AND MY WIFE WANTED AS WE HAD 2 CHILDREN. FOUR YEARS LATER OUR RELATIONSHIP DID NOT WORK OUT AND I HAVE NOW MET A NEW WOMAN WHO I LOVE VERY DEARLY. I NOW AM VERY GUTTED ABOUT MY VESECTOMY AS I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A CHILD TO MY NEW LOVE. THE ONLY THING IS I HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU HAVE TO PAY AROUND £2000 TO HAVE IT REVERSED, IS THIS TRUE ?

Report this comment

Add a comment

Please enter the characters in the image:

IPC Media Limited, owner of goodtoknow.co.uk, will collect your personal information solely to process your request


Lose weight quickly with the goodtoknow diet club

Enter your details below to get a free diet profile

weight

height

age

sex


Competition: Win! A Nintendo DSi and a copy of new game Music

Competition | Win! A Nintendo DSi and new game

Hours of fun are to be had with this brilliant prize

Enter competition


Health

'Painful periods made my life hell'

'Periods made life hell'

Deby suffered every month - until she got the diagnosis that changed her life




Today's health poll

What night of the week do you sleep badly?


  • I never sleep well on Sunday nights 18%
  • Monday nights - worrying about the week ahead 1%
  • I sleep badly most nights 51%
  • I always sleep well 14%
  • I sleep better on the weekend than in the week on the whole 16%