Vasectomy (cont.)
How does vasectomy compare with female sterilization?
Regardless of how it is performed, vasectomy offers many
advantages as a method of birth control. Like female sterilization,
it is a highly effective one-time procedure that provides permanent
contraception. Vasectomy, however, is medically much simpler than
female sterilization, has a lower incidence of complications, and is
much less expensive.
What happens after vasectomy?
After vasectomy, the patient will probably feel sore for a few
days, and he should rest for at least one day. However, he can expect
to recover completely in less than a week. Many men have the
procedure on a Friday and return to work on Monday. Although
complications such as swelling, bruising, inflammation, and infection
may occur, they are relatively uncommon and almost never serious.
Nevertheless, men who develop these symptoms at any time should
inform their physician.
When can a man have sex again?
A man can resume sexual activity within a few days after
vasectomy, but precautions should be taken against pregnancy until
a test shows that his semen is free of sperm. Generally, this
test is performed after the patient has had 10-20 post-vasectomy
ejaculations. If sperm are still present in the semen, the patient is
told to return later for a repeat test.
What are the side effects of vasectomy?
A major study of vasectomy side effects occurring within 8 to 10
years after the procedure was published in the British Medical
Journal in 1992. Investigators questioned 10,590 vasectomized men,
and an equal number of nonvasectomized men, to determine if they had
developed any of 99 different disorders. After a total of 182,000
person-years of follow-up, only one condition, epididymitis/orchitis
(defined as painful, swollen, and tender epididymis or testis)--was
found to be more common after vasectomy. This local inflammation most
often occurs during the first year after surgery. Treated with heat,
the condition usually clears within a week.
Next: What are the disadvantages of vasectomy? »
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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- Sexual Health: FAQs About Sex and Relationships - Read about the frequently asked questions about sex and relationshiops. What are the most common causes of sex problems among couples? What causes sexual problems in women? Source:MedicineNet
- Pregnancy Planning - The goals of pregnancy planning are to create a healthy environment for the fetus and to prevent birth defects and other pregnancy related problems. Source:MedicineNet
- Birth Control - There are a number of different methods of birth control to include: barrier methods, IUDs, hormonal methods, natural methods, and surgical sterilization. No birth control method, except abstinence, is considered to be 100% effective. Source:MedicineNet
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