Will the amount of ejaculate be less?
What happens to the sperm?
What happens to the male sex hormones that are produced by the testicles?
Does the vasectomy interfere with my erection or my ability to reach climax?
Does the operation affect my sex life?
Does the operation hurt?
Does the operation require time off from work?
How soon after the operation can I have sex?
How will I know that the operation has been successful?
Is there a link between vasectomies and heart disease?
Is vasectomy reversible if I later decide that I want more children?

Q. Will the amount of ejaculate be less?
A. No. Since most of the fluid of the semen is produced by the prostate and the seminal vesicles (semen storage vessels), there is no noticeable change in the amount of ejaculate. Only 2-5% of the ejaculate is sperm, an amount too small to be noticed.

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Q. What happens to the sperm?
A. Although the sperm continues to be produced by the testicles, they are no longer transported through the vas deferens. The body harmlessly absorbs the sperm.

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Q. What happens to the male sex hormones that are produced by the testicles?
A. They are not affected at all. These hormones enter the body through the bloodstream, not through the vas deferens. Vasectomy does not affect masculinity. A man’s hormones, beard, voice, and sex drive do not change.

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Q. Does the vasectomy interfere with my erection or my ability to reach climax?
A. No. There should be no physical change in erections, climaxes, or ejaculations.

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Q. Does the operation affect my sex life?
A. There are no physical changes that should affect either sexual interest or performance. For many men sexual enjoyment is actually improved because there is no longer the worry of unwanted pregnancy.

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Q. Does the operation hurt?
A. With local anesthesia, there is little or no pain at the time of surgery.

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Q. Does the operation require time off from work?
A. Rest is advised for 24-48 hours and activities must be changed for one week following surgery.

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Q. How soon after the operation can I have sex?
A. Usually in five to seven days, depending on how you are feeling. However, you should definitely use birth control until your sperm count shows no sperm.

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Q. How will I know that the operation has been successful?
A. This procedure has a failure rate of about 2 in 1000, meaning it is not always effective. To make sure the operation was successful, you must take a semen sample for microscopic examination to Planned Parenthood or another laboratory. If live sperm are present, you will be asked to submit further samples until no live sperm are present.

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Q. Is there a link between vasectomies and heart disease?
A. There is no evidence that vasectomy in men either causes or increases arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), or increases the risk of heart attack. Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and age are the decisive factors in heart disease, not vasectomy.

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Q. Is vasectomy reversible if I later decide that I want more children?
A. Only in rare cases is vasectomy reversible. Vasectomy should be considered a permanent method of birth control for men. Vasectomy should be chosen only when a man is certain he does not want children.

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