We talk about or say “How we shy away or find it taboo to discuss women’s sexual health and basics.”, but the fact is, we don’t discuss and are aware about the basics of men’s sexual health too.
Before drilling into the topic of Vasectomy and what happens in it. Let’s first briefly understand the basics of male reproductive system, so that we get a grip upon what actually the scientific idea behind this surgery is.
The Sperm Cycle-
A male reproductive system makes millions of sperm everyday. The sperms are made in the testis and then go to epididymis to get nourishment and become mature sperms. After this, the main part of the system responsible for the transport of sperm is vas deferens.
Vas Deferens is a tube- like structure that connects epididymis to the urethra by transporting the sperms from epididymis to urethra tube. After reaching the urethra, the sperm leaves the system to the outside environment by the opening of the penis, at time of ejaculation.
Now, if anything happens in any of these steps, the male won’t be able to produce or transport or ejaculate sperms.
So, this concern is used by the doctors as a strength……
What is Vasectomy?
During ejaculation, a penis releases semen (ejaculate, cum or seminal fluid). The semen composition has about 5% sperms in it.
So, as we discussed the steps of the sperm cycle, what doctors did is …..they found a way of putting hurdles in the path of semen transport.
A Vasectomy surgery is cutting, blocking or sealing the Vas Deferens, so that the sperm formed in the testis will not reach the urethra, thus won’t come out along with other substances in the semen during ejaculation.
Why Vasectomy is Done When Condoms Are Easily Available in the Market?
Condoms are the best non-surgical contraceptive method in the market for sure. It not only prevents pregnancy but also protects from STIs. Though the failure rate is low compared to other contraceptives, it is still there. Every 1 of the cases of failure is there among 100 users of it. On the other hand, vasectomy is a permanent birth control or contraception method. The failure rate of it is 1 in 10,000 cases. If you are a person who doesn’t want kids at all or have 1 or 2 and now don’t want to have more, the surgery is ideal for you.
What Happens Before the Surgery?
Before the surgery is performed, there are somethings you need to do and will be asked to do by your surgeon or doctor:
- Your doctor will ask for your family history regarding some diseases, your health history and your reason for the surgery. Also, to make sure you are not allergic to local anaesthesia.
- You will be given a consent form to be filled, in order to save your consent for the surgery in legal form.
- Your doctor will strictly tell you to not take meditations that are blood thinners like Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogal, Apixaban, etc.
- You need to shave all your pubic hairs one day before the surgery.
- Eat a light diet but make sure to eat something hours before the surgery.
Risks of the Vasectomy Surgery-
After much study and research, if the surgery is performed with total care and by an experienced and professional surgeon, the risks are none. Also, the success rate and effectiveness of it is far more than many other surgical contraceptive methods.
FAQs-
- Does Vasectomy affect a male’s sexual desires?
No! A Vasectomy surgery has nothing to do with a male’s sexual desire or drive, semen production or orgasm. The surgery just makes sure that your semen doesn’t have active sperms in it.
- Can it be reversed?
The surgery is irreversible, but a vasovasostomy surgery could be performed that will reconnect the vas deferens. Though, the success rate is low and is hardly performed.
- Does after surgery, the penis works like before?
Yes! The surgery does not change the shape, working or sexual ability of the
Vas deferens at all.
- How to check whether the surgery was a success or not?
After some time of the surgery, your surgeon will examine your semen to detect any active sperms in it. If there were none, the surgery was a success. If the doctor does see sperms in it, the surgery needs to be performed again.
- Is there no need to wear condoms after the surgery?
Condoms are not there only to prevent pregnancy, but also to prevent transfer of STIs. A vasectomy surgery does not give the claim of no STIs after it. So, a person could definitely get STIs during intercourse if the partner has it. Thus, if you plan to have sex without wearing a condom, make sure you and your partner both are free from any STI or other contagious infections.