Sexual Health D&G
0345 702 3687 weekdays 8.30am - 4.30pm
Contraception » Male Sterilisation - Vasectomy

Vasectomy

Reliability

Over 99.9% effective.
Failure rate 1 in 2,500 over a lifetime

How does it work?

Male sterilisation is a permanent method, which cuts or occludes the tubes carrying the sperm so that there are no sperm in the semen when the man ejaculates or comes. It requires a small operation under local or general anaesthetic, which lasts about 30 minutes. A hospital stay is not required.

Possible Side Effects

Advantages / Benefits

Suitability

How much time will I need off work?

Who can provide it?

Sexual Health D&G offer vasectomy under local anaesthetic to men

Men not eligible for the procedure at Sexual Health or wish to be considered for a general anaesthetic should discuss their wishes with their GP who can refer to NHS D&G Urology Service.

Comments

Men are not sterile immediately after the operation. This is because sperm has already passed beyond the site where the tubes are tied off. Sperm needs to be cleared by normal ejaculation. On average, men will need 20 to 30 ejaculations to clear them. Men who have a vasectomy at Sexual Health D&G are asked to produce a specimen of semen for examination under a microscope. This sample cannot be done before 16 weeks. If no sperm are present, men are given the "all-clear" that they are sterile. If the sample still contains sperm, men will be asked to produce further samples. In a small number of men it can take around seven months or longer to decide whether the operation has been successful or not. . In around 1 in every 170 men the 'all clear' cannot be given because sperm continue to be present.

Re-joining of the ends of the tubes after initial negative sperm counts resulting in fertility & pregnancy at a later stage occurs in around 1 in 2500 patients.

Until men have been told that the procedure has been successful they need to continue to use contraception.

How do I refer myself for a vasectomy at Sexual Health D&G?

Men can self refer by phoning 0345 702 3687 Mon - Fri 9.00am-4.00pm or by emailing [email protected] Please have available a note of your height and weight at the time of referral. Alternatively you can ask your GP to refer you to us.

Vasectomy Leaflet

Please read the Vasectomy Patient Information (pdf 446Kb) before your first appointment.