Vasectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures carried out. It is a form of birth control that prevents sperm from leaving the body through the Penis. There are approximately 11,000 vasectomies carried out each year in the UK. Since the 1980s, the preferred method has been the no scalpel vasectomy. This method is as effective as the traditional vasectomy, less invasive and has a shorter recovery time.
What Does a No Scalpel Vasectomy Do?
In a no scalpel vasectomy, the doctor blocks the tube that carries sperm from the testes. You can still ejaculate but the fluid will not contain any sperm. Without sperm present, there is no risk of your partner getting pregnant.
Sperm is produced in your testicles. They mix with seminal fluid, which is produced in your prostate and seminal vesicles. The mixture of sperm and seminal fluid travels through a tube called the vas deferens, which takes it to the urethra. The urethra is the tube that runs inside your penis. You pass semen and urine through it.
In a vasectomy, the tubes that carry the sperm are blocked. You still produce ejaculate, but it contains no sperm. Everything will look and feel the same with no risk of pregnancy.
Traditional vs NSV
There are two recognised types of vasectomies which include the traditional approach and the No Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV). These procedures are carried out in community clinics and GP surgeries. It would only be complicated or tricky procedures that would require you to go to a hospital. The procedure usually lasts about 15-20 minutes and you can go home immediately.
In a traditional vasectomy, the doctor will use local anaesthetic to freeze the skin and the tubes. One or two small incisions are then made. They will find the vas and cut out a proportion of the tube and seal the ends by cauterising or tying them.
With the no-scalpel vasectomy approach, your doctor will need to numb the skin of your scrotum. Most doctors will use traditional local anaesthetic administered with a needle. Instead of making an incision into the scrotum, your doctor will make a small puncture into the skin and then stretch the skin gently to see inside. They will then use the same technique as a traditional vasectomy to cut and seal the vas deferens. The puncture closes immediately after the procedure without any need for stitches.
Recovering from a No-Scalpel Vasectomy
The real advantages of No-scalpel vasectomy are after the procedure. Most people can resume normal activities within a few days with minimal swelling/pain and bruising. This is in contrast to a traditional vasectomy where the recovery period can be up to a week.
No vasectomy is 100% effective. There is a small risk (<1%) that the procedure will fail in the first 4 months. There is also a small risk of what is called a “late failure” in which a vasectomy can fail after you have had a successful semen analysis. The risk of this is approximately 1 in 2000.
It is vital that extra contraceptive precautions are taken in the first 4 months as there is still the chance that sperm can be present in the ejaculate. It is also extremely important that you do not abandon contraception until the doctor has told you the procedure has been a success.
Vasectomies are an extremely effective and safe method of birth control and should be considered for any couple who has completed their family and is looking for a permanent method of contraception.
No Scalpel Vasectomy in Belfast
At Vasecomy NI, we offer a No Scalpel Vasectomy procedure, at a time convenient to you, in our Carryduff Clinic. The clinic is situated just a few miles from Belfast City Centre and can be easily accessed in just a few minutes’ drive. We are one of Northern Ireland’s leading vasectomy clinic and our doctors have each performed hundreds of procedures for men across Belfast.
If you want to book your vasectomy in Belfast, please use the contact form to get in touch. One of our team will get back to you promptly with the next steps.