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Before the appointment

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Should I have a vasectomy?

You should only book a vasectomy if you are 100% certain you do not want to extend your family at any point in the future.

Can I bring my partner?

Partners are welcome for the initial consultation. We generally do not allow partners into the procedure room on the day but exceptions may be considered.

What’s the difference between a vasectomist, Procedural GP, and Urologist doing my procedure?

Vasectomies can be performed by all of the above medical professionals. A “vasectomist” is a doctor who performs vasectomies; they may or may not also be qualified as a GP. Any doctor performing vasectomies should be adequately trained in the area, have appropriate insurance, and operate with satisfactory patient outcomes. Doctor Vinh is a Procedural GP who spends the majority of his working time performing vasectomies. He is used to dealing with awake patients (i.e. managing pain, anxiety, keeping patients comfortable) whereas Urologists usually deal with patients under general anaesthetic.Â

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Procedure

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How can I prepare for the procedure?

We ask that you shave the scrotal area 2-3 days before your booked procedure date. Please be careful not to cut yourself.

Does the vasectomy hurt?

We will test the local anaesthetic is working before making an incision. The anaesthetic feels like a sting that lasts a few seconds but begins to work almost instantenously. You should not feel any sharp sensation after the local anaesthetic. During the procedure, you may feel a tugging sensation while the tube is being handled. Rest assured, it will be over before you know it.

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Post-Procedure

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What is the recovery like?

The procedure can cause some swelling, bruising and discomfort for a few weeks. You may see some blood in your semen for a few ejaculations. Most of this should subside with time.

There are no hormonal side effects following contraception.

We generally recommend light duties for 5 days post procedure.

Do I need time off work?

This depends on your level of activity and work. If you do office-based work, you may return earlier. If you do labour-intensive work, we recommend at least 5 days off.

How long does it take to work? When am I sterile?

We generally allow for 30 ejaculations, or 3 months for the average guy, to clear sperm from the upper end of the cord. We will give you a sperm sample to do and then repeat a week later. You should use other forms of contraception until the sperm samples show there are no sperm remaining.

How soon after my vasectomy can I have sex?

We recommend at least 5 days before having sex, although you may return sooner if you are feeling comfortable and the wound is well healed.

Can I reverse my vasectomy?

Vasectomy-reversal success rates vary considerably depending on what you read. A number of factors contribute to this including the original vasectomy technique, time since surgery, and reversal surgeon. In general, we encourage you to seek alternative forms of contraception if you are thinking about getting it reversed down the line to avoid any disappointment.