Dr. Mark Allen, a urologist who practices in Plano, Frisco, Richardson and Dallas (http://northtexasurologist.com) offers the no-scalpel vasectomy method for male fertility control. This document offers an in-depth question and answer on some of the most common questions associated with the vasectomy procedure.

1. This original article was published on http://northtexasurologist.com on Tuesday, January 3, 2011.
Vasectomy Procedure | No-Scalpel Vasectomy | Effects of Vasectomy | Plano, Frisco
Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a urologist in Plano, TX (972.612.8037), sees men everyday and counsels them
as they are faced with a very important decision--whether or not to have a vasectomy.
Consider this: You are at a point in your life where
you have healthy children, they are out of diapers,
perhaps already in elementary school; life is normal
and calm. Your wife uses birth control but wishes to
stop using her current contraception method. It is an
important time that many men and women will
ultimately discuss—whether or not the man wishes
to move forward and have a vasectomy. While it can
be a tough, and sometimes an emotional choice for
both the man and the woman, it is an effective and
very common choice made by thousands of married
couples each year.
The more a couple knows about the vasectomy
procedure, the more at ease they will become during
the process. The following questions and answers
are some of the most common discussed between
physicians and their patients.
What is a Vasectomy Procedure?
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that provides a man with permanent fertility control; it has been
successfully used for a number of years and has become one of the most common urological
procedures in the U.S. with more than 500,000 vasectomies performed each year. During the in-
office, short procedure, the tube (known as the vas deferens) leading from each testicle is cut and
sealed off. By sealing the vas deferens, sperm can no longer reach the prostate where it would
normally mix with semen and potentially cause a pregnancy in his female partner.
Common Reasons to have a Vasectomy
• You want to enjoy sex without the worry of becoming pregnant
• You are done having children and/or do not wish for anymore
• Your partner has health issues that make pregnancy risky
• You and your partner do not wish to use standard birth control
• You want to save your partner the more extensive surgery involved in tubal ligation, as well as the
extra expense
How Effective is a Vasectomy in Preventing Pregnancy?
A vasectomy procedure is very safe and much less expensive than female tubal ligation. Once a
vasectomy has been performed, the patient must come back on more than one occasion as
designated by the physician so that a semen analysis can be performed. These tests will determine
the amount of sperm contained in the semen after the procedure. It may take a dozen or more

2. ejaculations and up to two months before the semen is sperm free. Once the sperm is nonexistent in
the semen—which is the point and overall result of a vasectomy—then fertilization and pregnancy
cannot occur. According to WebMD, a vasectomy is a very effective allowing for a very high—99.85%-
-birth control effective rate.
Does a Vasectomy Change Sexual Intercourse for a Man?
No. After the vasectomy procedure is performed, and all of the necessary steps have been taken to
ensure sterilization, a man will continue to have normal intercourse and will climax and reach orgasm
just as before. The ejaculation that follows the orgasm will also look and feel normal. The only
difference is that his semen will not contain sperm and he cannot father a child following a vasectomy.
Will a Vasectomy Change a Man’s Hormone Structure?
No. There are no effects of vasectomy that change hormone structure. Even though a vasectomy will
block the delivery of sperm, it will not and does not change hormone structure. This means that the
secondary sex characteristics of a man such as facial hair, sex drive, libido, ability to have an erection
and ability to climax and orgasm will not change after a vasectomy procedure.
Where Does the Sperm Go?
How do the effects of vasectomy handle the sperm? Most men will ask this question at some point
during the vasectomy process. The truth is that the body simply absorbs unused sperm cells. After the
procedure, while the testicals will continue to produce sperm, they will not be able to travel through
the vas deferens and thus cannot leave the body in the semen. The body will naturally absorb sperm
and there will be no side effects to the man.
What is a "No-Scalpel" Vasectomy?
The latest advancement in vasectomy procedures is the “No-Scalpel” vasectomy technique. In the
traditional method, a scalpel is used to cut through the scrotum using incisions to cut the vas
deferens. Sutures would then be used to close the incision site. Many doctors—as well as patients—
favor and prefer the No-Scalpel method because unlike the traditional approach, a scalpel is not
required and only one or two tiny punctures is made in the skin.
How Long Does the No-Scalpel Procedure and Recovery Take?
The No-Scalpel vasectomy procedure is performed in-office, with a local anesthetic, and most often
only takes about 15-20 minutes. The procedure causes less discomfort than a traditional vasectomy
and also allows for a shorter recovery time. The procedure is likely to produce slight discomfort,
tenderness, and mild swelling in the first two or three days afterwards; the patient should rest and lay
down vertically for the first couple of days to eliminate additional swelling and pain. Most patients will
return to all usual activities within a week.
How Effective is a No-Scalpel Vasectomy vs. a Traditional Vasectomy?
A No-Scalpel vasectomy is equally effective as a traditional vasectomy. Both vasectomy methods
rank among the highest procedures for protection from pregnancy.
Is a No-Scalpel Vasectomy Expensive?
The No-Scalpel vasectomy procedure can run anywhere from $500 to $1,300—however, many
insurance programs will cover this cost. In some instances, all that might be required is a simple co-
pay. Be sure to ask your insurance provider what costs are covered for a traditional vasectomy as well
as a No-Scalpel vasectomy. It is important to note that the cost for a vasectomy is much less
expensive than tubal ligation, which is the female sterilization method.

3. What if I Decide to have Children Again? Can a Vasectomy be Reversed?
While procedures and surgeries do exist to attempt to reverse a vasectomy, a successful reversal
cannot always be guaranteed. Therefore, when a man considers a vasectomy as a method of
sterilization and birth control, he should consider it a permanent move.
So, When Considering a Vasectomy, Remember:
• Talk to your friends, discuss the procedure with your doctor and do your research. The more
informed you are, the more comfortable you will be with the process.
• Vasectomies are performed every single day in just about every urologist office in the U.S. Most
urologists perform several of these procedures in a single day.
• A vasectomy is a simple, safe procedure with very low risks and complications; there are limited
side effects of vasectomy, while at the same time, it is a very effective procedure.
• Results (complete sterilization) are not immediate; testing and additional analysis must be
conducted and it may be weeks before sterility is complete.
• The No-Scalpel method is the preferred vasectomy method today.
• A Vasectomy does not change sex drive; the ability to perform or enjoy sex and it does not
interfere with hormonal activity within the body.
• There is no guarantee that a vasectomy can be reversed later; a vasectomy should be considered
permanent.
For more information on the vasectomy process, please contact Dr. Mark Allen, Plano, Texas
Urologist, at 972.612.8037 or visit http://northtexasurologist.com.