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Vasectomy. This word can make a grown man nervous and instinctively reach down to protect "the boys". Totally understandable. The idea of somebody cutting on your scrotum doesn't rank very high on many lists of favorites. But it doesn't have to be terrifying thing. Here is a short "True or False" quiz to take to see how much you know about a vasectomy. The answers follow below.
1. A vasectomy is the same thing as a neuter. The dog had a neuter and he came home with no testicles. T or F
2. If I have a vasectomy it will make my voice high and ruin my sex drive. T or F
3. A vasectomy is very painful. I will certainly suffer post traumatic stress disorder. T or F
4. You can resume sexual relations immediately after a vasectomy. T or F
5. Having a vasectomy is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. T or F
And here are the answers:
1. False: A vasectomy involves the removal of a small part of each tube that carries sperm from each testicle to the penis. The testicles are NOT removed.
2. False: Testosterone is produced by the testicles and is responsible for sex drive and thickening of the vocal cords at puberty (leading to a deeper voice). Because the testicles are not removed, the amount of testosterone produced before the vasectomy will be the same afterwards. The vocal cords will stay the way they are and your voice will remain as it was.
3. False: A vasectomy does not have to be painful - before, during or after. There are many very effective pain medications that are used to ensure your comfort. Dr. Roesel believes strongly in making any procedure as painless as possible and will explain this to you during your vasectomy consultation visit.
4. False: You must refrain from ejaculation for one week after the vasectomy to let things heal, and then you must continue to use another form of birth control until your semen is tested and found to be free of sperm. Men who do not follow this advice may possibly be called "Dad" 9 months later.
5. False: Other than abstinence, there is no method of birth control that 100% effective. Vasectomy failure rate is between 0.5% and 1%. It is possible for the cut ends to grow back together and "recanalize" or reform a channel that sperm can get through. This is why the postop semen checks are so important.
If you are interested in having a vasectomy we encourage you to make an appointment to talk to Dr. Roesel. She will explain the procedure to you and if you like, she will put you in contact with patients who are willing to talk about their experience having their vasectomies done in our office.
Most insurance companies cover vasectomies but it is always a good idea to check your specific policy to see if this is a covered benefit for you. Our office is always happy to check for you and if needed, will obtain precertification or provide a letter of medical necessity to the insurance company. We can make the entire process as painless as possible... just give us a call.
