How is it performed? of Vasectomy

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A vasectomy is usually performed under local anaesthetic at your GP surgery, in hospital as a day patient appointment, or at a private clinic. It is possible to have a general anaesthetic in some cases, perhaps if you are allergic to local anaesthetic or have a history of fainting easily, but this is not normally necessary. There is usually no pain involved in the procedure and often the only sensation you will feel is some pulling. The procedure lasts about 30 minutes.

A vasectomy involves blocking the vas deferens â€“ the tubes through which sperm pass into the semen. Local anaesthetic is used to numb an area of skin on either side of the scrotum and small cuts are made in this skin. A section of each vas deferens is then gently pulled out through each cut. Each tube is cut, a small section removed and the ends of the tubes sealed off. The cuts to the skin are then closed using dissolvable stitches or adhesive strips.

In recent years a second technique has begun to be used. Known as the â€˜no-scalpelâ€™ technique, a tiny puncture is made in the scrotum instead of a cut. The puncture is so small that it heals quickly and doesnâ€™t require stitches. Private clinics will often offer this technique.