Introduction
Vasectomy is the sterilization of the man and is also called vasoresection in professional circles. Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that prevents the sperm produced in the testicles from entering the seminal fluid (ejaculate) by cutting the vas deferens. The sperm, which are still produced after the vasectomy, are broken down by the body.
Reasons for a vasectomy
The main reason for choosing a vasectomy is safe contraception. If a couple has completed their child planning or are sure they do not want to have children, sterilization is a very reliable method of contraception. In principle, sterilization can be performed on the woman or the man.
However, the reason for vasectomy of the man is that it involves much less risk and effort than sterilization of the woman, which must be performed under general anesthesia. As a rule, men who have a vasectomy are at least 30 years old and already have children. A vasectomy can also make sense from a medical point of view, for example, if there is a serious genetic disease and one wants to rule out the possibility of further inheritance.
How does a vasectomy work?
The vasectomy is usually performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia. In exceptional cases, the procedure can also be performed under general anesthesia if the patient so desires. Usually the procedure is performed by a specialist, a so-called urologist.
First, the skin of each scrotum is opened with a short incision. The vas deferens of each side is pulled out through the corresponding hole and cut through. At the same time, a section of the vas deferens is removed.
The resulting ends are then either sutured together or sclerosed by electric shocks. The different ends of the vas deferens are then placed in different layers of tissue to minimize the risk of the ends growing together again. In most cases, the incisions in the scrotum are so small that it is not necessary to sew the skin together, but the wound heals by itself.
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