Vasectomy

What is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that closes your vas deferens, preventing sperm from leaving your body when you ejaculate. The procedure doesn’t affect your ability to achieve an erection or your sexual performance. It simply prevents you from being able to father children.

What happens during a vasectomy?

The urologists at Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists offer vasectomies at their office in Bellingham. In most cases, your physician performs the procedure with a local anesthetic, although if you’re very nervous or are having additional procedures completed at the same time, you may need sedation. Talk to your physician about your options.

We offer nitrous for your vasectomy, please let us know if you would like to add nitrous to your appointment

Urologists offer no-scalpel vasectomies. In a no-scalpel vasectomy, your physician makes tiny punctures in the skin of your scrotum and pulls the vas deferens out before cutting it and sealing the ends and tucking it back in place.

What should I expect after a vasectomy?

After your vasectomy, you may want to take the rest of the day off, but you should be able to return to work the next day. You may have some discomfort, although over-the-counter pain medicine and ice packs should reduce any swelling or soreness. You need to avoid sexual intercourse and strenuous activity for up to a week.

You may have sperm lingering in your vas deferens after your vasectomy, as the procedure is not immediately effective, and should continue to use birth control until you have a follow-up appointment and semen analysis to ensure there’s no sperm in your ejaculate, which usually happens 2-3 months after the initial procedure.

Also, while a vasectomy is an effective and permanent form of birth control, it doesn’t prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so you should always use a condom with new partners until you’re both tested and have clean bills of health.

If you’re interested in having a vasectomy, call Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists or book an appointment online.