Vasectomy, a permanent method of male contraception, is a simple surgical procedure whereby the man's sperm-carrying tubes are litigated. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, under local anesthesia. After a vasectomy, a man is effectively sterile because the sperm produced by the testes is barred from the seminal fluid. Vasectomies do not affect a man's sex drive, his ability to have erections and orgasms or his testosterone levels.
Vasectomies are highly effective, with failure rates reported at between 0.2% and 0.4%. The procedure is less costly than female sterilization, rarely has serious side effects, and has no adverse long-term health effects. Minor side effects may include mild pain, infection and granulomas (small benign lumps that are easily treated), and abscesses. Erectile dysfunction may occur, but is usually psychological in nature.
Apparently, the prevalence of vasectomies increases along with education and income. Surveys indicate that the majority of men receiving vasectomies are married or co-habiting, white, and educated beyond high school. Less than ten percent of surveyed samples had incomes of less than $25,000 and 81% of them paid for the procedure through private insurance or health care plans.
Vasovasostomy is a far more difficult and expensive (prices start at $6000) procedure than the vasectomy itself. It involves reconnecting the severed ends of the vas deferens to re-establish sperm flow. Many factors may cause Vasovasostomy failure. For example, over time the body's natural response to un-ejaculated sperm in the testicles may affect the number and quality of the sperm released. Sperm potency is just as important as the successful reconnection procedure.
Vasovasostomy is a procedure that can be attempted to reverse vasectomies. Its chances of success are at best 70% if performed one year after the vasectomy and drop dramatically as time goes by.
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Janice A
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