Your Complete Guide To
A Vasectomy Procedure With MSI
Are you considering a permanent form of birth control? A vasectomy may be the right option for you. This surgical procedure is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy and is a popular choice for men who no longer wish to have children. It is a quick and straightforward procedure that can be performed in a Private Day Hospital or a Medical Centre, and it typically has a short recovery time.
If you are interested in learning more about the vasectomy procedure, keep reading to find out how it works, who it is right for, and what to expect during and after.
What is Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure for men who have decided not to have more, or any, children. Vasectomy is the only permanent method of contraception for men and has a failure rate of approximately 0.1%. Vasectomy procedures are one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in Australia, with over 29,000 men getting one each year.
The male vasectomy procedure involves separating the cut end of the tubes that move sperm from the testicles to the penis. After the procedure, ejaculated semen will contain no sperm. Sperm is the component that leads to pregnancy, and after a vasectomy it will be reabsorbed into your body through your tissue instead of being integrated into your semen.
Why Choose Vasectomy
Vasectomies are reliable and extremely effective. Experienced vasectomy surgeons typically have success rates of greater than 99.9%. Other reasons to opt for a vasectomy include:
- It is a one-time cost. Vasectomy is a permanent choice of birth control, which means it is just a one-time expense.
- The procedure is often covered by insurance. Many of our clinics are eligible for private health rebates for vasectomy procedures.
- Does not affect sexual pleasure. A man’s orgasm will be no different than before the vasectomy.
- Minimally invasive. Quick recovery. The MSI No Scalpel Open Ended Vasectomy technique used at MSI Australia causes considerably less tissue trauma than a regular vasectomy. This means a lower risk of infection, less discomfort, faster healing and a speedier overall recovery.
Vasectomy Procedure Types
Before considering a vasectomy procedure it’s important to understand that you should consider it an irreversible process. Whilst vasectomy reversal services do exist, we don’t offer this procedure and we advise our patients to treat their vasectomy as non-reversible.
Vasectomy reversals are very expensive, not normally covered by health insurance and do not have a 100% success rate. Vasectomies are for people who are sure they’ve completed their family, or who are certain they don’t want to have children.
Open ended vasectomy
A closed-ended vasectomy blocks both ends of the cut tube either with suture, clip or by diathermy. The closed-ended method used to be the standard procedure for vasectomies. However, it led to some patients experiencing congestive epididymitis (tenderness caused by pressure building up).
An open-ended vasectomy only closes the upper part of the tube, leaving the end connected to the testicle completely open. This allows the sperm to be released within the scrotum, which is not noticeable as the volume is very small. The sperm are naturally reabsorbed and there is less chance of congestive epididymitis and other complications.
No scalpel vasectomy
Before the no scalpel method, many vasectomies would require a scalpel incision and therefore, sutures. A no scalpel vasectomy only requires a single small puncture in the skin, and no stitches. We do this with a specially designed set of forceps. This decreases the chance of infection and minimises the chance of pain.
Some vasectomies may be advertised as a ‘no scalpel, no needle’ procedure. Before booking with one of these practitioners it’s important to ensure that they are doing this with devices approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Currently there are no devices capable of delivering a local anaesthetic through the skin that are TGA approved.
The MSI No Scalpel Open Ended Technique uses an inert permanent suture rather than a metal clip (which can fall off) or a dissolving suture (which can cause inflammation). We also use Bupivacaine local anaesthetic which has a longer duration of action and may protect from chronic post operative pain.
Anaesthetic Options
At MSI Australia we provide a comprehensive service where both IV sedation (IV) and local anaesthetic (LA) are available. Our LA painless anaesthetic delivery technique means many patients report experiencing little to no pain when the local anaesthetic is injected.
Anyone can choose to have IV Sedation for their vasectomy and many men simply prefer to be “knocked out” as they know they will not handle being awake for the procedure well.
Other men may have had previous inguinal hernia or scrotal surgery in which case we recommend them to have IV sedation as there is a chance that old scar tissue will make the vasectomy under LA difficult and may even mean the LA operation is postponed to a later date for the needed IV sedation. All men who have had a previous vasectomy in the past we insist on them having IV sedation for the same reasons.
Why Choose MSI For Your Vasectomy?
For the last 20 years, we at MSI Vasectomy have championed the rights of Australians to access high-quality, reliable family planning and vasectomy services. In that time, over 600,000 men have trusted us with their sexual and reproductive health needs.
Our 4 Key Points of Difference are:
- We are the largest vasectomy provider in Australia
- High quality, standardised MSI ‘No Scalpel Open Ended’ technique with all our vasectomy doctors
- Minimal or No GAP with Private Health Insurance and from $480 out of pocket with Medicare (available at certain locations)
- Local anaesthetic and IV sedation options (available at certain locations)
Meet Dr Justin Low
National Director of Vasectomy Services
Justin’s current role is National Director of Vasectomy Services at MSI Vasectomy Australia which involves education, training and maintaining vasectomy surgical standards across the country.
Justin received his medical degree from the University of Sydney in 1987 and completed the RACGP Family Medicine Program (FMP) in 1991. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 1993.
Justin presents to General Practice groups regularly around the country on the topic of vasectomies and has been interviewed on ABC Radio National, Sydney Morning Herald “Good Weekend”, Men’s Health Magazine and Channel 9’s “Today” morning show.
How To Book A Vasectomy With MSI
If you have any more questions about our vasectomy procedure don’t hesitate to contact us today. In the meantime please find below our most frequently asked questions about vasectomies.
Is it painful to have a vasectomy?
No, a vasectomy is usually not very painful. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthesia or IV sedation and most men report feeling only mild discomfort or pressure during the procedure, but severe pain is rare. After the procedure, some men may experience some swelling, bruising, or mild pain or discomfort, but these symptoms usually go away within a few days.
How long does it take a man to recover from a vasectomy?
Most men can return to their normal activities within a few days after a vasectomy. However, it is recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity for two weeks after the procedure to allow the body to heal properly.
Does a vasectomy protect against sexually transmitted infections?
No, a vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is only a method of contraception and does not provide any protection against STIs. Condoms are the only effective way to reduce the risk of STIs.
Can a vasectomy be reversed?
Yes, it is possible to reverse a vasectomy, but the success rates can vary. The procedure involves rejoining the severed ends of the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm), and is more complicated than a vasectomy. The success of the procedure depends on various factors, such as the length of time since the vasectomy, the surgical technique used, and the age and fertility of the man.
Does a vasectomy make prostate cancer more likely?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that having a vasectomy increases the risk of prostate cancer. Several large studies have investigated this question, and the results have been inconclusive.
Is it similar to female tubal ligation?
Vasectomy and tubal ligation are both surgical procedures that are used to achieve permanent contraception. However, they are quite different in terms of how they are performed and their risks and benefits. Vasectomy is typically a simpler and less invasive procedure than tubal ligation, and it has a lower risk of complications.
Is in vitro fertilisation possible after vasectomy?
Yes, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an option for couples who want to have a child after the man has had a vasectomy. In this procedure, the woman’s eggs are fertilised with the man’s sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus. However, IVF can be expensive and is not always successful.
If you have any questions about vasectomy, just drop a message below and we will get back to you shortly.
