A Modern Approach to Birth Control
Precision, Comfort, and Care in Northern California.
Welcome to our No-Scalpel Vasectomy resource! Our expert team offers a safe, effective, and minimally invasive solution for permanent birth control. Trust in our advanced techniques for a comfortable experience. Serving the Bay Area with excellence in vasectomy care.
-Jonathan Hu. MD
SVU
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy, including the no-scalpel method, is a surgical procedure aimed at rendering a man sterile by preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Traditional vasectomies involve using a scalpel to make small incisions in the scrotum, but since the 1980s, the no-scalpel vasectomy has gained popularity in the United States.
Each year, about 500,000 men in the U.S. undergo a vasectomy for birth control, with approximately 5 percent of married men of reproductive age choosing this procedure to prevent fathering children.
Vasectomy is not immediate and will require a negative semen result in 2-3 months.
Vasectomies compared to female birth control options
Procedure and Invasiveness:
- Vasectomy: It’s a minor surgical procedure usually performed under local anesthesia. It involves cutting and blocking the vas deferens to prevent sperm from entering the semen. The no-scalpel vasectomy is less invasive, with a quicker recovery time.
- Female Birth Control: Methods vary widely, from hormonal pills, patches, and injections to intrauterine devices (IUDs) and surgical options like tubal ligation. Some methods are non-invasive (like pills), while others, like IUDs, require a medical procedure, and tubal ligation is a more invasive surgery.
Effectiveness:
- Vasectomy: Highly effective, with a success rate of over 99% in preventing pregnancy.
- Female Birth Control: Effectiveness varies by method. IUDs and implants are over 99% effective, while pills, patches, and injections are slightly less effective, mainly due to the possibility of incorrect use.
Reversibility:
- Vasectomy: Generally considered permanent. While reversal surgeries are available, they are not always successful and are more complicated.
- Female Birth Control: Many methods are reversible. Hormonal methods quickly return to fertility after stopping use, and IUDs can be removed. Tubal ligation, like vasectomy, is considered permanent and difficult to reverse.
- Risk:
- Vasectomy: Relatively low risk, with potential for minor complications like infection or pain. Long-term side effects are rare.
- Female Birth Control: Can have various side effects, depending on the method. Hormonal methods can affect mood, weight, and menstrual cycles, and there’s a risk of more serious complications like blood clots.
Cost-Effective:
- Vasectomy: Generally a one-time cost.
- Female Birth Control: Ongoing costs for pills or periodic costs for long-term methods. Coverage varies by insurance plans.
- No Impact on Hormones:
- Vasectomy: Does not affect testosterone levels or sexual function.
- Female Birth Control: Hormonal methods can significantly impact a woman’s menstrual cycle and overall hormonal balance.
How does no-scalpel vasectomy compare to a traditional vasectomy?
No-scalpel vasectomy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive birth control method for men. It offers a permanent solution to prevent pregnancy, with fewer risks and a quicker recovery time compared to traditional vasectomy methods.
Benefits Over Traditional Birth Control Methods
- Minimally Invasive: Less invasive than traditional vasectomy, with no incisions.
- Quick Recovery: Faster recovery time, with most men returning to work in a few days.
- Lower Risk: Reduced risk of complications like bleeding and infection.
The Procedure
During the vasectomy, your doctor will locate the vas deferens under the skin and secure them with a special clamp. A small hole is then made in the scrotum using a needlelike instrument. The vas deferens are extracted through this hole, cut, and then sealed using stitches, titanium clips, a mild electrical current, or tying. Afterwards, they are repositioned back into place.
A local anesthetic will be administered in the scrotum or groin area to ensure you don’t feel pain or discomfort during the procedure. You might also receive medication to help you relax.
Risks
While no-scalpel vasectomy is generally safe, potential risks include:
- Infection
- Mild pain or discomfort
- Swelling or bruising
- Trouble urinating
- Rare cases of sperm granuloma or post-vasectomy pain syndrome
Same Day Procedure
Home same day
Clinic or Operating room
99% done in the office clinic
No Narcotics
Just Tylenol and Ibuprofen
01.
Who Should Consider a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?
Ideal candidates are men who:
- Are certain they do not want more children.
- Seek a permanent and effective birth control method.
- Prefer a one-time procedure over ongoing birth control methods.
- Are in good overall health.
02.
Pre Operative
- Consultation and evaluation by a healthcare provider.
- Discussion of medical history and any potential risks.
- In the two days leading up to a no-scalpel vasectomy, it's important to avoid taking aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), as these can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.
03.
Intra Operative
- Local anesthesia is applied to the scrotum.
- A small puncture is made to access the vas deferens.
- The vas deferens are cut and sealed.
- The procedure typically takes about 20-35 minutes.
04.
Post Operative
- Rest and minimal activity recommended for a few days.
- Follow-up semen analysis to confirm the absence of sperm.
- We offer at home test kits (masturbate at home and send it via UPS)
F.A.Q.
A vasectomy reversal involves reattaching the severed vas deferens.
While reversal is possible, it’s complex and not always successful. Vasectomy reversal is most effective within 10 years of the vasectomy. Consider it permanent.
No, it does not impact sexual function or libido.
Most men can return to work and light activities within a few days.
Yes, ejaculation remains normal, but without sperm.
Semen volume make up roughly 20% so expect there to still be 80% volume in your ejaculate.
No, follow-up semen tests are needed to confirm the absence of sperm.
Patients online such as reddit or online forums complain of chronic testicular pain, erectile dysfunction, low libido, numbness in penis/scrotum and multiple other problems that they associate with the vasectomy.