Making a Decision on Vasectomy

Making a decision on vasectomy is not a decision you should make alone nor is it one that you take lightly. The decision on getting a vasectomy should be discussed in depth by a man and his wife before any action is taken as it affects you and your partner long term. Vasectomy reversal is not a simple or without implications. You should also take time to discuss the options of the different types of vasectomy that are available with your doctor too.

Vasectomy For Various Age Groups

If you are a young man, then having a vasectomy is not something you should consider for some years, especially if you have not had any children. Though you may think that right now you don’t have any desire to be a father, you may change your mind as you mature and get older and your priorities change. Many doctors will not perform a vasectomy on a young man who doesn’t have any children. On the other hand, if you are a young man and have quite a few children, 2, 3 or 4, your doctor may make an exception.

Most men seeking to have a vasectomy performed are typically between the ages of 35-40. Men of this age have usually had their family and do not want any more additions. Taking this step instead of asking your wife to have a tubal ligation is a very loving gesture that many men are ready to make.

Should You Have Concerns?

A routine vasectomy can be performed in your physician’s office and usually doesn’t take more than a half hour to perform. Men can often be in and out with little or no signs they have had the procedure. Most men recover quickly from their vasectomy and can resume all normal activities including sexual intercourse within a week or two.

The only concerns you should worry yourself about is the alternate form of birth control to use until you get the thumbs up from your doctor that it is okay to have unprotected sex. You can still possibly get your partner pregnant until your doctor tells you your sperm count is at zero. This doesn’t mean that you should have unprotected sex with multiple partners just because you can’t get them pregnant. Men who have had a vasectomy are in no way protected from contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

Usually there are no long term effects once you have had a vasectomy. The fluid that you ejaculate during an orgasm won’t change; it just won’t have sperm in it. You will have no more difficulty than you had before getting and sustaining your erection nor will your sexual appetites change.

If you have any concerns that you may develop prostate cancer because you have had this procedure, many studies show no connection between men who have had a vasectomy within the past ten to fifteen years, and those who haven’t.

It is natural that many men are nervous about having a vasectomy because they are afraid of the implications to a loss or lack of their masculinity. This should not be a concern. Your testicles will not be taken off, you will merely have a small cut that doesn’t allow sperm to pass into the penis; instead it is absorbed by the body.  Think of the freedom you can have without the worry of the problems of birth control for your partner.