During a vasectomy, i.e. male sterilization, the vas deferens are severed. It is a small operation with a big effect: the patient is now infertile.

The vasectomy is a short procedure that is largely painless. If you want, you can have it done under general anesthesia, but it is not necessary. Depending on the type of operation, 15 to 20 minutes can be enough. The patient should abstain from alcohol the day before the procedure and should not take any blood-thinning medication. He usually only gets a local anesthetic.

Vasectomy: Safe way of birth control

During the procedure, the skin on the scrotum is either opened a little with a scalpel or punctured. Then the vas deferens are cut, and the doctor removes a piece that is about one to three centimeters long. Depending on the surgical method, the ends are electrically sclerosed and sewn up or grow back together on their own.

The operation is particularly low-risk; complications rarely occur. In very few cases, bruising, swelling of the scrotum, wound healing disorders, bleeding or adhesions can occur. However, the chances are really small and the doctor will explain these risks to the patient before the operation. Neither the libido nor the testosterone level nor the ability to have an orgasm are restricted by the procedure. After the operation, the patient should rest physically and cool their groins to prevent swelling.

He can also take painkillers for the first few hours after sterilization. In the first twelve weeks after the operation, fertilizable sperm can still be in the semen, so you should still use other contraceptive methods during this time. In two to three check-ups, the doctor checks whether fertilizable sperm are still present in the ejaculate. After that, prevention by sterilization is very safe.

Only in 0.4 percent of all cases do the vas deferens grow back together after a vasectomy. In the first twelve weeks after the operation, fertilizable sperm can still be in the semen, so you should still use other contraceptive methods during this time. In two to three check-ups, the doctor checks whether fertilizable sperm are still present in the ejaculate. After that, prevention by sterilization is very safe.