A vasectomy (male sterilisation) is a permanent form of contraception and effective way to prevent pregnancies. It is suitable if you are sure that you do not want to have children in the future.
Sperm is produced in your testicles. If you have a vasectomy, the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles to the penis are cut or blocked. When you have sex, sperm can no longer get into the fluid called semen that you ejaculate (release). This means that a women’s egg cannot be fertilised and she cannot become pregnant. The procedure is quick and relatively straightforward. You are usually given a local anaesthetic, which means that you are awake but do not feel any pain. Sometimes you have a general anaesthetic instead and are asleep during the operation.
There are two types of vasectomy:
Conventional vasectomy: The doctor numbs your scrotum (a pouch of skin containing the testicles) with a local anaesthetic. Two small cuts are made in the skin on each side of your scrotum to reach the tubes that carry sperm out of your testicles. Each tube is cut and a small section is removed. Your doctor then ties or seals the ends of the tubes, and closes the cuts with dissolvable stitches.
No-scalpel vasectomy: This is similar to a conventional vasectomy, except that a small puncture is made in your scrotum rather than cuts with a scalpel (small knife). Stitches are not needed and there is less bleeding and risk of complications.
Your doctor will discuss which type of vasectomy is the best option for you. Here at Highgate Private Hospital, we have London’s leading consultant urologists who specialise in the male reproductive system.
We offer an all-inclusive self-pay package for a vasectomy, routine microscope study to check for any abnormal cells and one follow-up appointment. Prices start from £2,162 (terms and conditions apply). For more information, please call our self-pay advisers on 020 3918 9463.
