There are many common myths and misconceptions about vasectomy which are simply not true. Whispers in the workplace and misinformation about vasectomy has only served to heighten the anxiety around this very straightforward procedure. Some of these myths include the fact that a vasectomy will reduce your sex drive or cause erectile dysfunction. These myths are unfounded with no evidence to support this. Vasectomy does not have any effect on hormones or testosterone levels. It does not affect your sex drive and in fact, has often been thought to improve the quality of peoples sex lives due to the greater freedom and spontaneity it provides.
Another common myth about vasectomy is that it is a painful and risky procedure. However, vasectomy is a safe and relatively simple procedure that can be performed in a doctor’s office under local anaesthesia. It takes as little as 15 minutes to perform a straightforward vasectomy. The recovery time is also minimal, with most men able to return to work and normal activities within a few days. As with any surgical procedure, it is important to be aware of the risks. These should be carefully explained to you, but by taking it easy in the days after your vasectomy you can minimise the risks of these occurring.
During the vasectomy there is no surgery on the testes and the “balls do not get cut”. A small incision is made in the top of the scrotum where the tubes are gently divided or cauterised. All under local anaesthetic. This blocks the tubes and prevents sperm from travelling to your ejaculate. You notice no difference during sex. Everything appears exactly the same. Your hormone levels remain the same and life goes on completely as normal. It is over 99% effective with only 1 in 2500 couples getting pregnant after a vasectomy.
Compare this to female sterilisation. 1 in 200 couples will get pregnant after a female sterilisation. It requires a general anaesthetic which carries risks, There are also the risks of more serious complications than a vasectomy. With vasectomy, you do not need to take any hormonal contraceptives and it gives the man the opportunity to be involved in the contraceptive choice for the couple.
Choosing the Right Doctor for Your Vasectomy Procedure
If you’re considering vasectomy, it’s important to choose a doctor who is experienced and qualified to perform the procedure. You want to ensure your doctor is experienced, and able to deal with any difficulties that may arise. You want also to be sure that he has high success and satisfaction rates.
Thankfully at VasectomyNI we have one of the most experienced vasectomy surgeons in Northern Ireland. Dr Quinn was among the first to be trained in this procedure in Northern Ireland he has performed many hundreds of procedures for the NHS over the past 7 years. He has an extremely low failure and complication rate and performs consistently high on patient satisfaction score. Additionally, our nursing and administration staff have been providing this service for NHS patients and are equally as experienced in the delivery of vasectomy services in Belfast and indeed for all of Northern Ireland. Our premises in Carryduff are clean, modern and has ample care parking to take any stress out of the day. It has been used as a base for vasectomy services for nearly 7 years.
We also believe that is not necessary to spend thousands of pounds to have this simple procedure. We offer it at a rate that is more affordable than previously available in Northern Ireland to ensure as many people as possible are able to avail of this service.
With the withdrawal of elective care vasectomy services last week by the NHS, it is now almost impossible to secure a vasectomy on the NHS in Northern Ireland. We are passionate about making this available as an option for couples.
Overall, vasectomy is a safe and effective form of birth control that offers many benefits over other forms of contraception. If you’re considering this procedure please do not hesitate to contact us and feel confident in your decision to take control of your sexual health.
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