Vasectomy

A vasectomy may be a good choice if you are certain you do not want to father children in the future, since it should be considered a permanent form of birth control. It is an important decision worth thinking through carefully — and discussing with your partner if you have one — because although reversal surgery exists, it does not always restore fertility. A vasectomy also does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

During your consultation, Dr. Bricio, urologist (Endolapv), performs a personalized evaluation: he reviews your medical history and overall health, examines the area, and talks with you about your reasons, your questions, and your contraceptive alternatives to help you decide, based on your case, whether a vasectomy is the right procedure for you.

A vasectomy is usually performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area while you remain awake; in some cases, sedation may be added to help you relax, depending on your situation and your urologist's recommendation.

Once the area is numb, the surgeon locates the vas deferens through the skin of the scrotum and reaches it through a small incision or a tiny puncture (the no-scalpel technique). Each tube is cut and sealed — with ties, heat (cautery), small clips, or a combination of these methods — and the skin is closed with stitches that usually dissolve on their own, or is sometimes left to heal by itself.

Afterward, you rest in a recovery area under observation by the medical team. As an outpatient procedure, most patients return home the same day, with clear instructions for at-home care and the attentive support of our team.

Everything starts with a pre-operative consultation: your urologist reviews your medical history and the medications you take, answers your questions, and confirms with you that a vasectomy is the right choice before scheduling the procedure.

Only if your doctor instructs you to, stop medications that increase bleeding — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood thinners — as far in advance as directed. Follow the hygiene instructions you receive, such as showering and shaving the area on the day of the procedure, and if you smoke, try to stop, since tobacco slows healing.

Bring snug underwear or an athletic supporter to support the scrotum after surgery, and arrange for someone to drive you home. Our team in Puerto Vallarta can help you coordinate these details — especially if you are traveling from another city or from the U.S. or Canada.

After the procedure, it is normal to have mild discomfort, some swelling, and bruising of the scrotum, which in many cases improve within a few days. You will usually be advised to rest for the first 24 hours, apply cold packs intermittently for the first two days, and wear snug underwear or an athletic supporter for at least the first 48 hours.

In many cases you can resume light activities within two or three days, though you should avoid sports, heavy lifting, and sexual activity for about a week, as directed by your doctor. Keep in mind that a vasectomy is not effective right away: you will need to use another form of birth control until a semen analysis — usually done a few months later — confirms there are no sperm in your semen.

Go to the emergency room right away if you develop a high fever, bleeding or pus oozing from the surgery site, or pain and swelling that get worse instead of better, and notify the doctor who performed your procedure as soon as possible.

Medical reference source: Mayo Clinic.