Vasectomy is a routine procedure that leads to male sterilization. It is the most reliable contraceptive method for men, as it leads to permanent infertility. The man is still capable of sexual intercourse, orgasm and ejaculation. However, the ejaculate no longer contains sperm.
Here you will find further information as well as selected vasectomy experts and centers.
A vasectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon interrupts the man's vas deferens. This prevents the transport of sperm towards the prostate and urethra. An expert can even perform this procedure in his center on an outpatient basis.
Around 25,400 vasectomies are performed in Germany every year. Over the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the number of men in Germany willing to have a vasectomy. Worldwide, 40 to 60 million men have already had a vasectomy.
A vasectomy makes sense if the man no longer wants to cause a pregnancy.
Vasectomy is considered the safest method of male contraception. Only one in 1,000 couples who have unprotected sexual intercourse after the procedure will have an unwanted pregnancy (Pearl Index = 0.1).
This makes vasectomy an even safer method of contraception than the pill (Pearl Index = 0.1 to 0.9). However, while the pill has disadvantages for the woman and causes discomfort, a vasectomy has no side effects.
Vasectomy offers a very high degree of safety. However, there is no 100% guarantee of permanent infertility. Even after years, various studies have found regeneration processes that have restored fertility.
However, the probability of this is extremely low and only affects 0.03 to 1.2 percent of patients.
Performing a vasectomy © bilderzwerg | AdobeStock
Men who
should mention this during the consultation. This also applies if other chronic pain is present.
The urologist puts the patient into a light twilight sleep or performs a local anaesthetic. He then cuts the vas deferens. As a result, the ejaculate no longer contains any sperm cells.
A vasectomy can usually be performed very well using a local anesthetic. Only in rare cases is a general anesthetic a short anesthetic instead. These cases are, for example
The various vasectomy techniques include
The sole aim of a vasectomy is to prevent pregnancy. Unwanted paternity can be virtually ruled out after the operation.
The vasectomy does not affect any other bodily functions. The operation therefore has no negative effect on
and ejaculation. The sensation during orgasm does not change either. Ejaculation does not change significantly either. The only difference is that the seminal fluid no longer contains sperm after the vasectomy.
For many couples, their sex life improves after the procedure because they no longer have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy.
The functions of the testicles do not change either. The male sex hormone testosterone continues to be produced even after a vasectomy.
The sperm cells that are produced in the testicles are broken down by the body itself. This prevents so-called sperm congestion. Sperm congestion is often mentioned in popular belief when there is no ejaculation for a long period of time.
Sperm can remain in the seminal fluid for up to 12 weeks after a successful vasectomy. Therefore, several laboratory tests must be carried out before an inability to conceive can be confirmed. A spermiogram is used for this. This is an analysis of the ejaculate in the laboratory.
The first control sperm sample is submitted for examination around 4 to 6 weeks after the vasectomy (or after around 20 ejaculations). The second check should take place after a further 4 weeks.
The inability to conceive is considered confirmed if no sperm can be found in both ejaculate examinations.
Overall, complications only occur in rare cases after a vasectomy. However, whether this is the case also depends heavily on the experience of the treating doctor. It is therefore advisable to leave a vasectomy to an experienced vasectomy specialist.
One to two percent of men may experience various symptoms after the operation, such as
occur. However, these symptoms can be treated accordingly so that they disappear after a short time.
Months after the procedure, so-called sperm granulomas can also form. Sperm granulomas are nodular tissue inclusions of sperm cells. They are usually caused by pressure in the testicles resulting from the continued production of sperm.
In most cases, these remain undetected. In individual cases, however, they can contribute to the vas deferens growing back together.
In addition to psychological problems due to infertility, other long-term consequences of a vasectomy can includechronic pain in the testicles. This pain can intensify during sexual activity and therefore significantly reduce the quality of life of those affected.
How many men are affected has not yet been sufficiently clarified. It is assumed that the figure is between one and 14 percent. The cause of the pain has also not yet been definitively clarified. It is assumed that the pressure equalization in the testicles cannot be sufficiently regulated.
It is also possible that nerves have been damaged by the operation. Further surgery may therefore be necessary, for example
It has not yet been proven that a vasectomy increases the risk of testicular or prostate cancer.
In most cases, this procedure can be reversed using microsurgical procedures. This is referred to as a refertilization or vasovasostomy.
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