What is a Vasectomy and how Effective is the Procedure?
A vasectomy is a long-term means of birth control that entails a minor in-office surgical procedure. Over 500,000 US men undergo a vasectomy every year.
Studies show that a vasectomy is over 99% effective at preventing future pregnancies, making it the most effective form of birth control. Vasectomies will not change hormonal (testosterone) function, so it won’t affect your sex drive.
Our physicians offer conventional vasectomy and no-scalpel vasectomy as in-office procedures. Patients can go home immediately after the procedure, and after a few days of light activity, can resume a normal routine, including sexual activity.
How Much Does a Vasectomy Cost?
The cost of a vasectomy will vary depending on your insurance. Urology Centers of Alabama performs vasectomies for men with and without health insurance.
Most major health insurance providers cover an in-office vasectomy. To find out if yours does, call the 800 number on your insurance card, or contact our billing department. (Be sure to provide your policy number and group ID.) There is a $139 nonrefundable fee for the cost of your post-vasectomy semen analysis kit. This fee is required before scheduling your appointment.
What Does Recovery Look Like?
- There will be a temporary numbness that lasts for 1-2 hours.
- To minimize discomfort, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and/or an athletic supporter.
- It is important to rest as much as possible over the next several days and ice regularly to reduce discomfort.
- Staying off your feet will also reduce the risk of an infection.
Some men may experience short-term discomfort, which is usually caused by a congestion of sperm behind the now blocked vas deferens. This can be soothed with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug, but if the discomfort persists then it is important to let your doctor know.
Contact your doctor if you experience fever, chills, increasing pain or significant swelling and bruising.
It is important to understand that a patient is not sterile immediately after a vasectomy and that it takes time to clear sperm from the semen after the procedure. At least 2 post-vasectomy semen analyses are required at 6-8 weeks post-op and then again, a few weeks after to ensure the absence of sperm in the semen and ensure the success of the vasectomy. These can be done from the comfort of your own home and mailed to us for analysis using the kit you were provided.
The patient should not assume that his vasectomy is effective until his semen analysis demonstrates the absence of sperm.
How Long Before I Can Be Sexually Active?
This will depend on your comfort, but your doctor will give you specific instructions on how and when you can resume sexual activity (typically 3-4 days post-procedure).
You must use other forms of birth control until your doctor assures you that your vasectomy is completely effective. This may take several months until all the sperm left in the upper part of the vas deferens are ejaculated.
What if I Decide that I Want More Children?
Vasectomies are meant to be a permanent procedure. It can be reversible, but the likelihood of a successful reversal decreases over time. It is not advisable to have a vasectomy if you think you may change your mind later.
Learn more about vasectomy reversals.
Scheduling Your Vasectomy
Call us today at 205-263-5191 or complete the form below and a member of the UCA team will contact you. Download our Vasectomy FAQ guide.