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Vasectomy is one of the safest and most effective methods of permanent birth control. It is much safer and less expensive than the other common contraceptive surgery, tubal ligation. For these reasons, some 10, 000 men in Australia choose vasectomy each year. Conventional vasectomy blocks the vas deferens preventing sperm from being added to a man's ejaculation fluid, semen. A local anaesthetic is given, and one or two incisions are made in the scrotum with a scalpel. The two vas deferens are revealed, cut and blocked. The incisions are then closed with sutures.

A safer, less invasive procedure, the No Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) reduces vasectomy's already low complication rate. Developed in China in 1974, it differs from conventional vasectomy in how anaesthesia is given and in how the two vas deferens (vase) are reached. Worldwide, more than 15 million men have had the procedure.

No Scalpel Vasectomy uses an advanced technique to anaesthetise the scrotum more effectively. It requires no scalpel. Instead, the physician avoids complex surgery by carefully isolating the vas deferens using the fingers of one hand. The vasa are the fixed just below the scrotal skin with an instrument design to hold firmly without pinching. A single small incision is made with pointed forceps. The vassa are the delivered through the skin, cut, and sealed in a conventional way. When the operation is complete, no sutures are needed to close the tiny opening.

Vasectomy is NOT castration. Vasectomy only interrupts the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to where they are added to your sperm. Your penis and testis are not altered. All hormonal and sexual function are unaffected, so your voice, body hair and interest in sex remain the same. Your body still semen, and erections and ejaculations occur normally. The only difference is that your semen will no longer contain sperm. As before your body naturally absorbs unused sperm.

No! Sperm can remain in the vas deferens above the operative site for weeks or even months after vasectomy. You will not be considered sterile until two post-surgical semen tests show that no sperm remain. Until then, you must continue to use other birth control to prevent pregnancy.

Yes. All contraceptive methods some risk as well as benefits. Vasectomy is a very low risk procedure, but complications are possible.

• Though rare, bleeding (haematoma) and infections are the most common complications of vasectomy. No-scalpel Vasectomy, the procedure I perform, reduces the likelihood because the blood vessels responsible for bleeding are less likely to be affected and because the opening in the scrotum is small.
• Another potential risk is failure. Vasectomy is not guaranteed to be 100% effective. Even when the operation is performed perfectly, it is possible in rare cases for sperm to find its way across the void between the two clocked ends of the vas deferens. This situation, called recanalisation, is highly unusual but does occur.
• This is another reason why samples must be taken some 6 to 8 weeks post-vasectomy to verify that your semen contains no sperm. Recanalisation usually occurs in the first 2-3 months after vasectomy, but has been known in extremely rare cases to occur even years later
• Sperm ganuloma, a hard, sometimes painful lump about the size of a pea may form as a result of sperm leakage from the cut vas deferens. The lump is not dangerous and is almost always absorbed by the body in time.
• Congestion, a sense of pressure caused by sperm in the testes and epididymis may cause some discomfort for some 2 to 12 weeks after vasectomy. Like sperm granuloma, congestion resolves itself in time.

No. You may feel some discomfort when the local anaesthetic is given. After it takes effect, you should feel no pain, though some men may feel a slight 'tugging' sensation as the vasa are manipulated. After surgery you may feel a little sore for a few days. Generally, two or three days rest is recovery enough before men return to work and most normal, non strenuous physical activity. Sex can usually be resumed 7 days after the procedure.

Many studies have looked at the long term health effects of vasectomy. The evidence is reassuring, suggesting that no permanent risks exist. Men who have vasectomy are no more likely than other men to develop cancer, heart disease or other health problems.

In 1993, a panel assembled the US National Institutes of Health, the Association of Voluntary Surgical Contraception and the eUS National Cancer Institute reaffirmed the conclusion of most medical experts that vasectomy is a safe and effective means of permanent birth control. The panel advise that physicians continue to offer vasectomy and that all men, vasectomised or not, receive the same regular screening for prostate cancer and other illnesses.

In many cases, the cut ends of the vas deferens can be surgically reattached. However this operation, a vasovasostomy, is expensive and, for a variety of reasons, does not guarantee a return of fertility.

Vasectomy should therefore be considered a permanent procedure. Before you choose to have a vasectomy, make quite sure that you and your partner do not want any more children. If you're thinking about a reversal now, perhaps you should take more time to decide whether vasectomy is right for you.

We will discuss the procedure in person to determine the suitability of no-scalpel vasectomy for you. Among other things, we will go over your health history as it is related to vasectomy, and you will receive a brief physical examination. At some point, you and your wide or partner will be required to sign a consent form. It will state that you understand vasectomy and its possible risks and that it is not guaranteed to result in permanent sterility. Prior to signing this form, be sure that you are informed and comfortable with your decision. It is important that you fully discuss and resolve with me any lingering questions or concern that you ma have.

1. Sign the surgery informed consent form
2. Do not consume any aspirin or NSAID's for 10 days prior to surgery without prior medical approval. Taking aspirin or NSAID increase the risk of bleeding
3. Several hours before surgery, take any preoperative medication as directed