No, a Vasectomy Won’t Impact Your Performance (and Other Misconceptions)

Have you been wondering if a vasectomy might be right for you? If so, you aren’t alone. Approximately 1,369 men get a vasectomy every single day in the United States. However, that doesn’t mean the procedure is right for you. (After all, not to sound like your mother, but if 1,368 men jumped off a bridge, would you?)

If you’ve been researching the procedure, you know that there’s a lot of information to take in! Spokane Urology wants to help you sort fact from fiction. Below are four common misconceptions about getting a vasectomy that our urologists encounter time and time again.

Misconception 1: A Vasectomy Will Impact Your Sexual Performance

Many men have concerns about how a vasectomy will impact their sexual performance and drive, but they needn’t be—at least not in the long term. While you will need to abstain from sex for at least five days after your procedure, after that, you’ll be back to normal in the bedroom.

Your ability to get and sustain an erection, experience sensations, and even ejaculate will be the same as it was before your vasectomy. Your ejaculate will still consist of the same seminal fluid and mucus; there simply won’t be any sperm present after a few months. (See misconception 3 for more on that!)

Misconception 2: A Vasectomy Requires You to Go Under the Knife

A vasectomy is an outpatient procedure that takes between 15 and 30 minutes. At Spokane Urology, we’re proud to offer two types of vasectomy procedures—conventional and no-scalpel. As the name implies, with no-scalpel, there is no knife involved.

The primary difference between the two procedures is the method used to access the vas deferens, the ducts that carry sperm from your testicles. During a conventional vasectomy, a urologist makes one or two small incisions in your scrotum and gently cuts your vas deferens. After that, they tie both ends with a surgical material and use dissolvable stitches to close the incisions.

During a no-scalpel vasectomy, a urologist uses a small puncture (instead of a scalpel) to access the vas deferens. The vas deferens are brought up through the puncture and then cut and blocked (through burning or tying). Since only a small hole was created (vs. incisions), no stitches are required.  This method is meant to reduce bleeding, bruising, and pain, as well as the duration of the vasectomy itself.

Misconception 3: A Vasectomy is Effectively Immediately

Long term, a vasectomy is very effective. In fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic, they are over 99.99% effective and have a failure rate lower than any other form of birth control. For some context, condoms fail about 1 out of every 100 times! However, vasectomies are not effective immediately.

After a vasectomy, viable sperm will remain behind. You will want to continue to use birth control for at least two months or 12 ejaculates, whichever comes first. You can also speak to your urologists about coming back and having a semen analysis performed to test the effectiveness of your vasectomy.

Misconception 4: A Vasectomy Will Alter Your Hormone Levels

Our bodies are finely tuned machines, and even small changes to hormone levels can cause big changes in the body! Another common misconception our urologists encounter when discussing vasectomies is that the procedure will cause hormone levels, specifically testosterone, to fluctuate.

A vasectomy works by cutting the vas deferens and tying it off, which makes it virtually impossible for sperm to pass through. This procedure does not alter or interfere with hormone levels at all. As mentioned under misconception 1, you’ll continue to ejaculate as normal. In addition, you’ll even continue producing sperm. That sperm will simply be reabsorbed by your body instead of emitted during ejaculation.

The decision to have a vasectomy is a very personal one. While the procedure itself is minor, the implications are not. It’s important to understand the procedure and what to expect both during and after.

You can learn more about both conventional and no-scalpel vasectomies by reading our vasectomy Q&A. If you would like to see a physician at one of our two locations to discuss your specific questions and concerns about getting a vasectomy, call Spokane Urology and schedule an appointment today. We can be reached at: 509-747-3147.