What is a Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a permanent form of male birth control that prevents sperm from entering the semen. During the procedure, the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles, are cut and sealed or otherwise blocked. Vasectomy should be approached as a permanent method of contraception. Reversal and sperm-retrieval options exist, but they may be unsuccessful, costly, or require assisted reproduction, so future fertility goals should be considered before proceeding.
After a vasectomy, you will still produce semen and ejaculate normally, but sperm will no longer be present once the reproductive tract has been cleared and follow-up testing confirms the procedure was successful. Since sperm makes up only a small portion of semen, most men do not notice a change in the appearance or amount of ejaculate.
Testosterone production and sexual function are not expected to change after a vasectomy. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis and is intended to provide permanent contraception.
