Vasectomy in Cleveland, OH

Dr. Thirumavalavan is a highly experienced urologist in Cleveland who specializes in performing vasectomies in the Cleveland area. With years of experience under his belt, Dr. Thirumavalavan has established himself as a trusted and reliable professional in the field of male sterilization. Vasectomy is a safe and effective form of contraception that involves cutting or blocking the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. With Dr. Thirumavalavan’s expertise, patients can expect a successful and comfortable procedure with minimal risks and side effects. If you are considering a vasectomy, our urology clinic in Cleveland is an excellent choice for a knowledgeable and experienced urologist who can guide you through the process with care and expertise.

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What Is a Vasectomy?

Vasectomy (commonly known as “getting snipped”) is a minor procedure that involves cutting your vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm out of your testicles. The purpose of a vasectomy is to prevent sperm from coming out when you ejaculate, so you cannot cause a pregnancy. Sperm continues to be made in the testicles but disintegrates.  You will not notice any difference in volume, color or consistency of your ejaculate.

According to WebMD, a vasectomy is permanent birth control that are almost 100% effective, there are those rare instances where the tubes rejoin. A vasectomy, if necessary, can be reversed. Sexual activity, erectile function, penile sensitivity, and testosterone are not affected by vasectomy. A vasectomy does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to one hour and involves making small incisions on each side of the scrotum. The sperm duct (vas deferens) is then cut and sealed, a small piece of the tube is removed. The skin incisions will be closed with stitches that will dissolve by themselves.

If you are considering a vasectomy, call (216) 285-5036 today to schedule an appointment at one of our urology clinics in Cleveland, Beachwood, or Lyndhurst.

What Are The Risks Of A Vasectomy?

One potential issue associated with vasectomy is the possibility of experiencing a change of heart regarding your desire to become a father later on. While it is conceivable to attempt a reversal of the vasectomy, its success is not guaranteed. Reversal surgery is notably more intricate than the initial vasectomy procedure, it can incur significant costs, and its effectiveness varies in different cases.

Alternative methods do exist for achieving fatherhood subsequent to a vasectomy, including in vitro fertilization. However, these approaches tend to be costly and their success is not always assured. It is crucial to have absolute certainty about your future paternal intentions before proceeding with a vasectomy.

Individuals with persistent testicular pain or testicular disease are not suitable candidates for undergoing a vasectomy. For the majority of men, a vasectomy does not result in noticeable side effects, and instances of severe complications are rare.

Side effects right after surgery can include:

• Bleeding or a blood clot (hematoma) inside the scrotum
• Blood in your semen
• Bruising of your scrotum
• Infection of the surgery site
• Mild pain or discomfort
• Swelling

Saving Sperm Before your Vasectomy

The National Cancer Institute, stated that sperm banking is the process of freezing and storing sperm for later use, they are counted and examined to check the health of the sperm. Sperm banking is used for men who will possibly want children later in life after their vasectomy.

Preparing for your procedure

You have the option of having your procedure done in the office (with local numbing medicine) or in the operating room (with sedation). We recommend that you shower and shave the scrotum and pubic area prior to your procedure. If you are uncomfortable shaving the area yourself, it can be done in the office prior to the procedure. Please stop taking any blood thinners (aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin) 7 days prior to your procedure, after checking with your primary care provider.

After the Procedure

You will go home with an athletic supporter and gauze for comfort. At home, use the supporter until the swelling goes down. We also recommend that you use ice packs on the scrotum, for 20 minutes at time, to decrease swelling.

Some bruising, discomfort and mild swelling  are common and should subside within 1 week. Pain and discomfort following the procedure usually resolve within 1 week. Rarely (less than 1%), there may be prolonged pain, which can impact quality of life.

Do not have sex, masturbate, or do any strenuous exercise for 1 week following your vasectomy. Engaging in these activities can increase your risk of complications.

Vasectomy is over 99.9% effective, but rarely the cut ends of the cord may rejoin. This only occurs at a rate of 1 in every 2,000 vasectomies, making a vasectomy more reliable than most forms of birth control. Vasectomy is not immediately effective, so another form of contraceptive must be used until sterility is assured. In 4 months, you need to bring in a sample of ejaculate for the lab to analyze.  Occasionally, it may take 6 months or longer to flush out all the sperm, and repeated semen samples are needed.