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Vasectomy Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, September 2008.

Answers to questions about vasectomy.

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

How long will it be until my sperm count is zero?

It usually takes about 10 weeks before your sperm count is zero but this depends on the number of ejaculations you have. You will have to wait at least eight weeks after your vasectomy to have your semen tested. If you still have sperm in your semen you will have to be retested a few weeks later. You may choose to wait longer (between 12 and 14 weeks) so that there is less chance of you needing a re-test.

Explanation

After your vasectomy there may still be sperm in the tubes (each called the vas deferens) that carry sperm from each of your testicles to your penis.

After your vasectomy you will have to have your semen tested to check for the presence of sperm. The timing of this varies between hospitals, surgeries and clinics but it will be at least eight weeks after your operation.

You may have to give a second semen sample even if your first test is negative for the presence of sperm. This is to check that your tubes haven't rejoined which could make you fertile again.

Sometimes you may have small numbers of sperm that can't swim properly (non-motile sperm) in your semen. Very rarely this can lead to a pregnancy. If you have low numbers of non-motile sperm, your doctor will discuss your options with you.

Further information

Sources

  • Dassow P, Bennett JM. Vasectomy: an update. Am Fam Phys 2006; 74:2069-2074. www.aafp.org
  • Male and female sterilisation. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 2004, Evidence-based Clinical Guideline Number 4. www.rcog.org.uk
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I've heard that having a vasectomy may increase my risk of getting prostate cancer. Is this true?

No. There is no evidence that a vasectomy will increase your risk of prostate or testicular cancer.

Explanation

Recent research has shown that you're no more likely to develop prostate or testicular cancer after having a vasectomy.

It's thought that any increase in prostate or testicular cancer rates after vasectomy is due to early detection by a doctor. This means that you're no more likely to develop cancer but because you're visiting your doctor and being examined, it's more likely to be detected, even though you may not have noticed any symptoms.

Symptoms of prostate cancer include:

  • difficulty in starting to pass urine
  • a weak, sometimes intermittent flow of urine
  • dribbling of urine before and after urinating
  • a frequent or urgent need to pass urine
  • pain when passing urine
  • rarely, blood in the urine
  • erectile dysfunction

These symptoms are similar to those produced by a common non-cancerous disease where the prostate becomes enlarged (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

The main symptom of testicular cancer is a lump, irregularity or swelling in one testicle. Other symptoms that may be present include:

  • a pulling sensation or feeling of unusual heaviness in the scrotum
  • a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
  • pain or discomfort (which may come and go) in the testicle or scrotum
  • tenderness or enlargement of tissue in the breast area
  • a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum (this is called hydrocoele)

These symptoms don't always mean you have testicular cancer.

If you think you may have prostate or testicular cancer, you should visit your GP for advice immediately. If these types of cancer are diagnosed early, there is a much better chance of successful treatment. Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and will examine you. He or she may also ask you about your medical history and may do some tests or will refer you to a urologist (a doctor specialising in the urinary system).

Further information

Sources

  • Cox B, Sneyd MJ, Paul C et al. Vasectomy and the risk of prostate cancer. JAMA 2002; 287:3110-3115. http://jama.ama-assn.org
  • Moller H, Knudson LB, Lynge E. Risk of testicular cancer after vasectomy: cohort study of over 73 000 men. BMJ 1994; 309:295-299. www.bmj.com
  • Male and female sterilisation. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 2004, Evidence-based Clinical Guideline Number 4. www.rcog.org.uk
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Will my sex drive be affected after a vasectomy?

No. A vasectomy won't affect your sex drive (libido) because your testosterone (the male hormone) production is unaffected.

Explanation

Following a vasectomy, your sex drive will be the same as before your operation. You will still produce testosterone, the male hormone that controls sex drive. Your testicles produce testosterone in special cells within your testicles. It then passes into your bloodstream to be transported around your body. A vasectomy only affects the tubes that carry sperm out of your testicles so your testosterone production is unaffected.

Your testicles produce testosterone which:

  • maintains your muscle mass and strength
  • maintains your bone density and strength
  • controls your libido and erection frequency
  • helps keep you alert and active

A vasectomy won't affect your ability to have erections, achieve orgasm or ejaculate and you will still produce semen. When you ejaculate your semen will look the same as before but it won't contain sperm.

If you have continued difficulty achieving an erection, you should talk to your GP for advice. Impotence (erectile dysfunction) can be a normal part of the aging process but in younger men it can be caused by a number of things:

  • certain medicines such as antidepressants and those for high blood pressure (antihypertensives)
  • conditions such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), hypogonadism (a defect in the reproductive system) and cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver
  • psychological problems such as stress

A decrease in your sex drive can be caused by:

  • a reduction in testosterone levels - this can be caused by injury to your testicles, chemotherapy and alcohol
  • tiredness
  • certain medicines, for example some antidepressants

For more information about impotence and decreased libido, talk to your GP.

Further information

Sources

  • Brechin S, Bigrigg A. Male and female sterilisation. Curr Obstet Gynaecol 2006; 16:39-46. www.elsevier.com
  • Sterilisation for women and men: what you need to know. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), 2004. www.rcog.org.uk
  • Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Vol 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005
  • Male and female sterilisation. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 2004, Evidence-based Clinical Guideline Number 4. www.rcog.org.uk
  • Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Rajagopolan S. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007
  • Vasectomy. MedlinePlus. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus, accessed 9 May 2008
  • Sexual problems overview. MedlinePlus. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus, accessed 2 July 2008
  • Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 54th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2007
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: September 2008

 

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