Considering getting a vasectomy? There may come a time when you’ve decided that you’ve reached the perfect number of children in your family. Once you’ve come to this realization, the next step is figuring out how to make sure another child does not come along.
While tubal ligation is an option, there is a much simpler, safer, and more cost-effective option: having a vasectomy. Though over 50 million men have gone through this simple, outpatient procedure, it is still a big step for your family.
Here are the 8 steps that you (or your husband) might go through when transitioning from baby-maker to someone who has sex purely recreationally:
Step 1 – Making the decision to get a vasectomy... and then finally making the appointment with the urologist.
Step 2 – Realizing the night before the procedure that this means “no more babies”.
Step 3 – Wait… No more babies! No more diapers, sleep deprivation, or play dates.
Step 4 – The big day arrives. With Philadelphia Urology Associates’ method of No-scalpel vasectomy, only a tiny incision is required. No stitches!
Step 5 – The road to recovery begins… all those couple days of soreness.
Step 6 – After the suitable amount of healing time, you may be tempted to make sure everything still works. Just know you won’t be sperm-free just yet!
Step 7 – Of course everything is fine! Celebrate!
Step 8 – Once you pass the post-procedure checkup and are deemed sperm-free you can finally throw out all those birth control methods and enjoy the rest of your life!
Vasectomy Statistics and Benefits
An estimated 500,000 vasectomies are performed each year in the U.S. Although the procedure is cheaper, faster, safer, and more reliable than female sterilization, only about 9% of sexually active men in the United States actually get a vasectomy, while 27% of women get tubal ligations.
There are several benefits of having a vasectomy over other forms of contraception, such as tubal ligation. The main benefits are that it is a simple, fast and less expensive procedure, yet vasectomies are certainly effective in preventing pregnancies. In addition, there is less pain involved in a vasectomy procedure, no need for general anesthesia and a faster recovery period. Vasectomies are performed in an office setting with local anesthesia and the men can usually return to work within 2 or 3 days. Most patients can resume exercising and sexual activity within one week. There is no effect on erectile and ejaculatory functions, nor is there any decrease in the pleasurable sensation associated with sex. In fact, some men have reported an increased enjoyment with sex because they are no longer concerned with the possibility of a pregnancy occurring. It is important to note that it takes about three months for a man to clear out all the remaining sperm, so be aware that other contraception must be used until sterility is documented by a sperm count.
Questions About Getting a Vasectomy?
At Philadelphia Urology Associates, Dr. Bruce Sloane is a nationally renowned specialist in Men's Health issues and Age Management Medicine. Throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, patients seek his expertise to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual performance issues. Using state-of-the-art equipment and having extensive specialized education and training, Dr. Sloane will find the treatments and solutions that will work best for you.
Having two separate offices and physical locations in both Philadelphia and Darby allows Dr. Sloan the ability to treat patients throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas like Delaware County. We all understand here at Philadelphia Urology Associates that deciding whether or not to have a vasectomy is a major life choice, and many men find that the decision can be rather intimidating. For more information on the procedure, set up an appointment now by calling us at (215) 563-1199 or contact us online now!