Permanent male birth control — also known as a vasectomy — is the contraceptive method of choice for more than 50 million men in the United States. An additional 500,000 American men decide to have vasectomies each year.
A vasectomy is nearly 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, making it one of the most efficacious forms of contraception available. For men, abstinence is the only method that’s more effective than a vasectomy.
At Precision Surgery and Advanced Vein Therapy, board-certified general surgeon Johnny L. Serrano, DO, FACOS, offers no-scalpel vasectomies (NSV), a minimally invasive alternative to conventional vasectomy surgery. Here’s how to determine if the procedure is right for you.
A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that prevents sperm from reaching the semen that’s ejaculated from a man’s penis during intercourse. It’s done by cutting and sealing the two tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from each testicle to your urethra.
When this “sperm pathway” is effectively disconnected, sperm can no longer enter your semen or exit your penis. The semen that your testes continues to produce simply dies and is reabsorbed by your body.
Formally known as male sterilization — and informally known as “the little snip” — a vasectomy is a procedure for men who are certain they don’t want to father any future children.
A traditional vasectomy and a minimally invasive NSV have the exact same goal: to completely disable the vas deferens. But how each method accomplishes that goal is very different.
That difference is all in the approach. Instead of accessing the vas deferens through two small incisions on either side of the scrotum, the NVS method uses a special tool called a hemostat to make just one tiny opening, or micro-puncture, in your scrotal skin.
After Dr. Serrano creates the tiny opening in your skin, he gently stretches the hole until it’s just wide enough to access and disconnect the vas deferens on each side. Because the opening is so small, it doesn’t require sutures or surgical glue — just a temporary bandage.
For physicians and patients alike, NSV is the preferred vasectomy technique simply because it achieves the same results with much less trauma. Research shows that NSV is associated with a lower risk of infection, less postoperative discomfort, and faster healing.
Whether it’s conventional or minimally invasive, a vasectomy is essentially lifelong birth control for men who are confident that they don’t want to father children, either because their family is already complete, or because they simply don’t want kids.
While it’s possible to reverse a vasectomy, the procedure is intended to be permanent and you should regard it as such when you’re making your decision. A vasectomy may be right for you if:
A vasectomy probably isn’t a wise choice for you if there’s any chance you might want children — or start a committed relationship with someone who does — in the future.
If you do decide that a vasectomy is the right solution for your sexual health needs, you can’t go wrong with a minimally invasive NSV. It’s just as effective as a standard vasectomy, but a whole lot easier on you.
To learn more about the NSV procedure at Precision Surgery and Advanced Vein Therapy in Glendale, Arizona, call 602-393-1304 or click online to schedule a visit with Dr. Serrano today.
