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Today there are many ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Each of the methods, along with advantages, has its own disadvantages and contraindications. Yes, and efficiency can also vary significantly. On average, a woman retains the ability to conceive until the age of 50-55, which means that before the onset of menopause, the risk of an unplanned pregnancy remains.
At the same time, even barrier contraceptives are not guaranteed protection – in some cases, conception occurs. The only method that gives 100% protection is sterilization.
Both a woman and a man can go for voluntary sterilization. It should be noted that voluntary surgical contraception is used only when both spouses participate in the decision and if the couple has children.
What is a vasectomy
Vasectomy or male sterilization is a simple and safe method of surgical contraception. The essence of the method is to block the vas deferens, thereby eliminating the patency of sperm.
The operation is easy to perform, practically painless and has an affordable cost. That is why most family planning professionals prefer vasectomy to female sterilization.
Can a woman get pregnant from a man who has undergone such a procedure? The probability of such a phenomenon is very low – from 0,1 to 0,5%. Conception can occur if a man has congenital anomalies of the seminal canals or if the operation technique is violated.
If a man has made the decision to have a vasectomy, he should make an appointment with a urologist. This specialist, after examining the patient and collecting anamnesis, can issue a referral for surgical contraception.
The procedure itself is most often performed by a specialist in the field of genital surgery, less often by a urologist or andrologist.
Preparing for an operation
Throughout the entire period of preparation for surgery, from the first consultation with the urologist and ending with the transfer of the patient to the operating room, explanatory conversations are held about the consequences of a vasectomy. The decision of a man must be firm and voluntary. Additionally, consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist is required.
Immediately before the operation, it is necessary to perform hygiene of the inguinal zone – hair removal in this area is a mandatory preparation point.
The patient is transferred to the operating room in special clothing, which is issued by a medical institution. The lower half of the body should be completely bare.
How is a vasectomy performed?
The operation does not require general anesthesia, local anesthesia is sufficient. Duration – about 30 minutes.
The procedure for blocking the vas deferens consists of several stages:
- the inguinal region of a man is carefully treated with disinfectants, an anesthetic is injected;
- the surgeon performs an incision in the skin and muscle layer of the scrotum to gain access to the vas deferens;
- the ducts are brought out and fixed with a special tool;
- the cords are dissected with a scalpel, and then stitched on both sides;
- the incision on the scrotum is sutured in layers.
In modern medicine, cosmetic sutures are used during this operation, due to which there are practically no scars after the procedure.
For 4-6 hours after the end of the operation, the patient remains in a medical institution under the supervision of specialists. If the man’s health is satisfactory, he is allowed to go home, having previously consulted on precautionary measures during the rehabilitation period. If pain occurs, it is recommended to take painkillers and sedatives.
On the first day after vasectomy, the patient is shown bed rest. Also, in the first 2 days after the operation, showers and baths should be abandoned. An important rehabilitation measure that promotes rapid recovery is the wearing of a postoperative bandage.
Until the scrotum is completely healed (7-12 days), physical activity, sports, cycling are contraindicated. Sexual intercourse can be resumed already 7 days after the procedure.
Possible complications
In some cases, the patient in the postoperative period has an increase in body temperature or severe pain. In this case, you should immediately contact the doctor who performed the vasectomy procedure.
If the recommendations of a specialist in postoperative rehabilitation are not followed, an inflammatory process in the tissues of the testicle or severe swelling of the scrotum may begin.
Three months after the operation, a man must visit a doctor and pass an analysis for the sterility of the ejaculate – that is, the absence of spermatozoa in it. Up to this point, it is recommended to use additional means of protection against unwanted pregnancy.
Operation reversibility
Surgical sterilization is one of the irreversible methods of contraception. That is why, before the procedure, the patient is fully informed about all the consequences of a vasectomy and undergoes an additional examination by a psychotherapist.
Despite this, there are situations when, after a certain period of time, a man again has a desire to become a father – this may be due to remarriage or the loss of a child. In this case, it is possible to perform an operation to restore the patency of the vas deferens. It is important to understand that the chances of recreating the ability to conceive are low, and the operation itself is complex and expensive.
Before carrying out a surgical intervention, the purpose of which is to restore the ability to conceive, the condition of the seminal canals is examined. In most cases, they are severely damaged during sterilization and it is impossible to restore patency.
If a man does not have children or his decision to undergo surgical sterilization is not residual and voluntary, he will be denied surgery. An additional reason for refusal may be the categorical denial of the procedure by the spouse.
Medical contraindications are – inguinal hernia, infections of the genitourinary system, a tendency to bleeding, severe stages of diabetes.