Male Sterilization and Various Methods for it
Written on February 19, 2009 by steven
Sterilization in men is less complicated than in women. The procedure, called a vasectomy, is usually done on an outpatient basis using a local anesthetic. The surgeon(generally a urologist) makes an incision on each side of the scrotum. The vas deferens on each side is then located, and a piece is removed from each. The ends are usually tied or sewn shut.
The man usually experiences some discomfort, local pain, swelling, and discoloration for about a week. In a small percentage of cases, more serious complications occur: formation of a blood clot in the scrotum(which usually disappears without medical treatment), infection, and inflammatory reactions. Because sperm are stored in other areas of the reproductive system besides the vasa deferentia, couples must use alternative methods of birth control for at least one month after the vasectomy. The man must check with his physician(who will do a semen analysis) to determine when unprotected intercourse can take place. The pregnancy rate in women whose partners have had vasectomies is about 15 in 10,000.
Many men are reluctant to consider sterilization because they fear the operation will affect their sexual performance. Such fears are unfounded(although not abnormal) and can be alleviated by talking to men who have already been vasectomized.
A vasectomy in no way affects sexual response. Because sperm constitute only a small percentage of the semen, the amount of ejaculate is not changed significantly. The testes continue to produce sperm, but the sperm are prevented from entering the ejaculatory duct because of the surgery. After a time, sperm production may diminish. Any sperm that are manufactured disintegrate and are absorbed into the lymphatic system.
Although a vasectomy should be considered a permanent procedure, surgical reversal is sometimes successful in restoring fertility. Recent improvements in microsurgery techniques have resulted in annual pregnancy rates of between 40 and 60 percent for women whose partners have had reversals. The two major factors influencing the success rate of reversal are the doctor’s expertise and the time elapsed since the vasectomy.
Cervical mucus method A birth control method that relies upon observation of changes in cervical mucus to determine when the woman is fertile so the couple can abstain from intercourse during those times.
Body temperature method A birth control method that requires a woman to monitor her body temperature for the rise that signals ovulation and to abstain from intercourse around this time.
Calendar method A birth control method that requires mapping the woman’s menstrual cycle on a calendar to determine presumed fertile times and abstaining from penisvagina contact during those times.
Sterilization Permanent fertility control achieved through surgical procedures.
Tubal ligation Sterilization of the female that involves the cutting and tying off of the fallopian tubes.
Hysterectomy The removal of the uterus.
Vasectomy Sterilization of the male that involves the cutting and tying of both vasa deferentia.
Tags:deferentia surgeon If you enjoyed this post Subscribe to our feed
