What Men Should Know Before They Go For The Vasectomy

What men should know before they go for the snip-snip.

- Lim Teck Choon

GETTING THE SNIP

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A VASECTOMY?

To understand the procedure better, first, let Prof Dr. Chris Ho give an overview of the sperm production process. Sperm cells are made by cells called Sertoli cells in the testicles and are stored in the structure called epididymis. A tube called the vas deferens carries these sperm cells from the epididymis towards the urethra, and along the way, they are mixed with seminal fluids, produced by separate glands called seminal glands, to form ejaculate during sexual intercourse.

What happens during vasectomy is that the vas deferens is cut. As a result, sperm cells are unable to leave the testicles and pregnancy is no longer possible after sexual intercourse.

Because vasectomy does not affect the seminal glands, the man can still produce semen.

ASIDE FROM THE LACK OF SPERM CELLS IN THE SEMEN, WILL VASECTOMY CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT ME?

Vasectomy does not affect the nerves in the penis or the blood supply to it, so Prof Dr. Chris Ho states that there shouldn’t be any changes in the man’s ability to achieve an erection or attain sexual pleasure. There shouldn’t be any changes to the man’s semen either, aside from the absence of sperm cells.

Improperly done vasectomy, however, may damage the blood supply to the testicles, which in turn can lead to reduced testosterone production. As a result, the man’s sexual performance may be affected, but such an occurrence is very rare.

ANYTHING ELSE THAT I SHOULD KNOW?

“There is a failure rate of 0.3% to 9%, usually due to the surgeon’s technique or skill level,” says Prof Dr. Chris Ho.

Also, sometimes the cut vas deferens may rejoin on their own, but this rarely happens.