Questions about vasectomy

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization or permanent contraception. In this process, the vas deferens, which transport sperm from the testicles to the urethra, are cut or blocked.

During the vasectomy, the area is numbed with local anesthesia, so you should not feel any pain. After the procedure, discomfort and swelling often occur, but these can be treated with painkillers and ice packs.

The vasectomy is a safe procedure, but like any surgery, it carries some risks. These include infections, bleeding, hematomas (blood accumulation), and chronic pain. However, serious complications are rare.

While vasectomy is considered a permanent form of contraception, it is possible to reverse the procedure through a vasectomy reversal. However, the success of the reversal depends on various factors, such as the time elapsed since the vasectomy and the individual's fertility.

Most men can resume their normal activities within a few days after a vasectomy. However, it is recommended to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercises for about a week to allow for proper healing.

A vasectomy does not affect sexual function or libido. It only prevents the release of sperm during ejaculation, but the sensation and pleasure during sex remain the same.

During a vasectomy, the vas deferens are interrupted through a small procedure. The sperm cells, which are produced in the testicles, can therefore no longer be mixed with the secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles, which form the actual ejaculate. The ejaculate is therefore sperm-free after a vasectomy.

Here, the experienced urologist can answer with a very clear NO. On the contrary. In a recently conducted study at the Urology Center Vienna, it was found that the male body image ("masculinity") does not change after the procedure, but even improves in some domains.

The vasectomy using the "no scalpel" method is a procedure with very few complications. As with any procedure, postoperative wound infections, bruising, and pain can occur. When the vasectomy with the "no scalpel" is performed by an experienced urologist, the number of patients with the mentioned postoperative complaints is generally below 2%.

One can now clearly answer this question with NO.

Much has already been tried, such as the "pill for men" or a gel for the vas deferens. Unfortunately, none of the methods have shown the desired success. Therefore, vasectomy is currently the safest form of contraception for men who have completed their family planning.

In women, sterilization is an elaborate operation under general anesthesia. In rare cases, disturbances in the hormone production of the ovaries can occur, and occasionally a malfunction of the ovaries, associated with a premature onset of menopause, is observed. In contrast, a vasectomy in men is only a minor outpatient procedure of 15 minutes - and there are no hormonal changes.

As with any contraceptive method, there is no 100% certainty. However, vasectomy is much safer than the coil, pill, or tubal ligation. Spontaneous "recanalization" (rejoining) of the vas deferens occurs in 1 in 2000 cases, but it can often be detected in time through the semen samples provided after the procedure, 3 months after the vasectomy. Therefore, vasectomy is the only contraceptive method where success can be verified.

Since only the vas deferens are severed, the balance of sex hormones, as well as the ability to achieve an erection and ejaculate, remain unchanged after a vasectomy.

Yes, it is possible to aspirate sperm after a vasectomy and artificially inseminate. However, this means a high burden for the partner, as eggs must be retrieved and artificially fertilized.

A vasectomy can be reversed at any time, the sooner this happens, the higher the chance of success. However, there is no 100% success guarantee. After 10-20 years, the chances of success decrease significantly, but this is also related to advanced age.

For particularly sensitive men, a vasectomy can also be performed under short anesthesia. An anesthetist is involved, who performs a sedoanalgesia. This means you sleep and feel nothing of the procedure, but can breathe independently. Therefore, ventilation like in a general anesthesia is not necessary.

NO! A vasectomy does not protect against transmissible diseases. It is solely for safe contraception.

No, the hormonal balance of a man is not negatively affected in any way by a vasectomy.

Here, the experienced urologist can answer with a very clear NO. On the contrary, recent studies have shown that sexual satisfaction in both men AND women even increases after a vasectomy. Due to such false fears and negative myths, many men unfortunately still have unfounded fears of a vasectomy.

In the "no scalpel" method, a small opening is made in the skin of the scrotum to cut, ligate, and "coagulate" (seal) the vas deferens. To achieve even greater safety, the experienced urologist always stitches connective tissue between both ends to prevent them from rejoining. An experienced urologist requires less than 15 minutes for both sides.

The service of sterilization is not included in the service catalog of statutory health insurance in Austria. Even those with private insurance usually have to bear the sterilization costs themselves. However, the necessary urological preliminary examination can be billed as a male preventive examination through the use of the e-card or with private health insurance. At the Urology Center Vienna, a vasectomy costs 890 euros, which includes the consultation, premedication, and the procedure itself. For the necessary sperm analyses in the context of the vasectomy, 90.00 euros must be paid for the first sperm analysis in the 12th week.

The epididymis is a storage organ for sperm cells - when this storage is full, the excess sperm cells are broken down there again. This occurs unnoticed and painlessly for the patient.

If the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, you do not need to be fasting. If the vasectomy is desired under short anesthesia, you should not eat anything 5 hours beforehand.

After the procedure, it is recommended to avoid ejaculation for 5 days to allow for proper healing of the vas deferens. After that, the man should have as many ejaculations as possible. The urologist essentially prescribes "sex" after the vasectomy.

Yes, the so-called "cryopreservation" is certainly a good idea for all those men who want to play it safe and still want to have a secure card in their pocket even after completing their desire to have children.

A shower as well as a shave of the scrotum is always recommended for hygienic reasons before the operation.

You can return to work immediately after the vasectomy, but lifting heavy objects should be avoided for 5 days. In fact, Dr. Huber at the Urology Center Vienna has some patients who come from the office, have the vasectomy performed, and then drive straight back to the office.

By locally anesthetizing the skin of the scrotum, which is performed with a very thin needle, the procedure is largely painless. Dr. Huber at the Urology Center Vienna uses an anesthetic that leads to complete pain relief within 10 seconds.

If a man still desires to have children, a vasectomy is not suitable as a contraceptive method. It is then advised against.

A vasectomy is recommended for men who have completed their family planning as a safe method of contraception. In Austria, vasectomy is legally permitted for men aged 25 and over and is therefore not performed by urologists before this age. Initially, there is a preliminary discussion and examination, during which you will be informed about the further procedure. After that, an appointment is scheduled for the vasectomy to be performed. Three months after the vasectomy, ejaculate samples are tested at intervals of one to two weeks for any remaining sperm. If no sperm are found in these samples, the vasectomy can be considered successfully completed.

About 12 weeks after the procedure, ejaculate samples are submitted at two-week intervals. If no sperm cells are present in the samples, nothing stands in the way of an untroubled sexual life in the partnership.

Vasectomy is the safest of all contraceptive methods. It is safer than using a condom, safer than the pill for women, and safer than sterilization in a woman.

No, with the modern "No Scalpel" or "non-invasive" method, a good urologist performs the procedure painlessly in his office in about 15 minutes.