Guest blog post by Doron S. Stember, MD, Urologist at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Two major medical organizations, the American Urological Association and the European Urology Association, have each recently published guidelines related to the vasectomy procedure, otherwise known as male sterilization. At Beth Israel Medical Center, we have actually been performing vasectomies according to these new recommendations for many years.
The following is a list of 10 key concepts, outlined in the new guidelines, which we always discuss at the initial visit:
1. Men who undergo vasectomy should have the intent that they will be sterile permanently.
2. Sperm banking is offered prior to vasectomy; if banked sperm is ever used it will require in vitro fertilization
3. Vasectomy reversal is also possible if a man’s circumstances change in the future, but this procedure is not always successful and is potentially expensive.
4. After a vasectomy, men must continue to use contraception until the technique’s success is proved by post-vasectomy semen analysis.
5. Most patients tolerate vasectomy extremely well and have minimal need for pain medications, but there is a very small (1 to 2%) chance of chronic scrotal pain.
6. Despite persistent misinformation available on the Internet, vasectomy is not associated with erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, stroke, testicular cancer or heart problems.
7. In contrast to female sterilization (tubal ligation surgery), vasectomy is much less expensive and does not require general anesthesia. Both male and female sterilization are equally effective at pregnancy prevention.
8. Men should avoid ejaculating for about a week after vasectomy in order to allow the tissue to heal.
9. Post-vasectomy semen analyses are critically important for confirming the absence of sperm in the ejaculate. Remember, the ejaculate will not look any different in appearance (or volume) except when analyzed under a microscope.
10. Informed, written consent is essential at the counseling visit. New York State requires a 30-day waiting period for the time that consent is signed until the day that vasectomy can be performed.
Men who are interested in learning more about the vasectomy procedure are encouraged to make an appointment by calling 212-844-8900.
Doron S. Stember, MD, is an Urologist at Beth Israel Medical Center.