NO NEEDLE,
NO SCALPEL VASECTOMY

A vasectomy is a form of birth control during which the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm, are
cut. When the tube is cut, there is no way for sperm to be released from the penis. This procedure is
considered a permanent form of birth control, but it is possible to have a reversal surgery should the
patient change their mind in the future.

It is recommended that men only get a vasectomy when they are certain that they no longer wish to
have children. It is the preferred choice for many couples because:

• The use of male birth control (condoms) or female birth control (pills, IUDs, etc.) is no longer
  needed.
• The procedure is almost 100 percent certain to prevent pregnancy.
• It is much less expensive than female sterilization.

Please be very aware that the results of a vasectomy are not immediate. You will receive a post
vasectomy test kit at your appointment to take home and test in the comfort of your own home.
Testing is done 2 months following your vasectomy, to determine if the procedure was in fact
successful at preventing the production and transfer of sperm through the vas deferens. During this
time, men are instructed not to engage in unprotected sex, as this could lead to a potential
pregnancy.
A vasectomy is more than 99% effective. Of the few cases in which pregnancy does occur after a
vasectomy, a majority are within the first year after the procedure is performed. If your test kit shows
that you have a positive result, meaning sperm are still present, Rocky Mountain Vasectomy would
redo the vasectomy for free.

In most cases, a vasectomy will be performed in-office and is considered an outpatient procedure. Full-anesthesia is not required, only a local anesthetic is necessary. According to Cleveland Clinic there are two ways to complete this procedure. Rocky Mountain Vasectomy only performs the No-Scalpel method.

Traditional Vasectomy

A surgeon will use a scalpel to create two small incisions on either side of the scrotum. The surgeon will remove a small section of the vas deferens. The tubes are tied, or cauterized so that they are closed and can no longer transport sperm.

No-Scalpel Vasectomy

A no-scalpel vasectomy does not use incisions, rather is able to access the vas deferens through a very small hole. No stitches are needed for this form of surgery.

• Avoiding blood thinners or aspirin in the few days leading up to the procedure
• No need to fast before the procedure
• An athletic supporter will be provided to support the treatment area after the vasectomy
• Please shave the genitals yourself or this may be done in the office before the vasectomy begins

To begin, the patient will be numbed so that they are comfortable throughout the entire treatment, at which point a small opening will be made so that access to the patient’s vas deferens is available. The vas deferens are two tubes responsible for carrying a man’s semen from the testicles to create semen. Without the vas deferens, sperm have no way to exit the body and fertilize a woman’s egg, meaning that pregnancy is not possible.

After the vas deferens are cauterized and clipped with a hemoclip, the procedure is essentially complete. A small hole will be left and will heal on its own.The sperm are reabsorbed causing no further problems.

Recovery from a vasectomy, especially one that is performed using minimally invasive techniques, is quite minimal. Patients should expect some soreness and swelling in the first 24-48 hours after their vasectomy, though this should dissipate quickly so long as they rest and limit their activities as much as possible during this period.

Immediately following a vasectomy, there can be bruising and swelling, but those symptoms should subside after a few days. Ibuprofen is recommended (800mg) for pain relief. Wear the athletic supporter or tight-fitting underwear so that the scrotum is provided with extra support. Most men are able to return to work and other everyday responsibilities within 1-3 days following their vasectomy.

The most common side effects after a vasectomy are mild pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Of course, it is still possible for more severe issues to occur, though they are incredibly rare. These include:

•  Infection
• Chronic pain
• Failure to prevent pregnancy
• Granuloma (inflammation caused by leaking sperm)
• Spermatocele formation (a small cyst of the upper testicle region)
• Hydrocele (a fluid-filled sac of tissue that grows within the scrotum)

Yes! You can be sexually active 2 days after your procedure, if you have minimal to no pain. Keep in mind, you are not sterile right away so backup birth control is expected. Ejaculate may still contain sperm and may continue to for several months after the procedure. After 2-3 months, the patient will check sperm levels with their post vasectomy test kit to confirm a successful vasectomy.

The vasectomy will not affect your sex drive and orgasms. Occasionally, men feel a slight pressure in their testicles when aroused, but eventually, that feeling will go away.

No. A vasectomy has absolutely no proven effect on a man’s sex drive, sexual functions, or pleasure during sex. There are many common myths surrounding this particular question, though all evidence clearly shows that the only difference a man should notice after a vasectomy compared to his life before is that he is no longer able to father children.

There is a procedure for that as well! A vasectomy reversal may be offered to men who have previously undergone a vasectomy and later wish to conceive a child.

It is of course advised for patients to carefully consider this possibility before they complete a vasectomy, as vasectomy reversal procedures are not guaranteed to be effective. Men may also consider storing their sperm in a sperm bank prior to vasectomy as a sort of safeguard to this potential situation.