An increasing number of men have had vasectomies over the last 20 years as it is a simple and reliable method of achieving male sterility.

The Vasectomy Operation

This operation involves cutting and removing a section of the vas deferens on each side. Thus, the passage of sperm is interrupted and cannot reach the outside world. However, men produce sperm continuously from the time of puberty and continue to do so after vasectomy as the operation does not usually interfere with the function of the testes.

We have two expert vasectomy surgeons at Bridge and most operations are performed on Saturdays. The operation is usually carried out under a local anaesthetic in our Day Care Unit and you will be able to leave after a rest of about 2 hours. Be sure to have someone with you to ensure you get home safely.

Your treatment consists of: -

Some vasectomy patients choose to freeze sperm before having the operation, thus giving themselves an opportunity to father a child at some time in the future and Bridge is licensed by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (the HFEA) to provide sperm freezing and storage. This procedure is carried out by Bridge embryologists and the frozen sperm is stored in Bridge Cryoservices.

Bridge believes in patient choice and we will freeze sperm for both medical and social reasons.

It is important, whatever your reasons for wishing to freeze your sperm, that you fully understand every aspect of this technique and the issues involved in sperm freezing.

Please read “Sperm Freezing and Storage” Patient Information carefully and call us if you have any questions or concerns. We will happily discuss the issues and professional counselling is available if you would find this helpful. Remember also that everything you discuss with any member of the Bridge team and any decision you make about treatment, now or in the future, will be in the strictest confidence.

Before Vasectomy

• The sperm produced by each testicle collects in a tightly coiled tube called the epididymis.
• It is during their passage through the epididymis that the sperm achieve their ability to move and fertilise an egg.
• The epididymis leads into a thicker tube, the vas deferens. This can be felt in the scrotum of most men.
• This thicker tube, the vas deferens, passes through the seminiferous vesicles and the prostate gland before leading into the urethra (the tube within the penis). It takes approximately 60 days for a sperm to be produced and 14 days to pass through the epididymis and vas deferens.

After Vasectomy

• The sperm produced by the testes has nowhere to go after a vasectomy and collects in the epididymis.
• This may result in "blow out" sperm leakage and scar formation.
• In addition, anti-sperm antibodies develop in 60% of vasectomized me.n
• These "after effects" are only important if vasectomy reversal is contemplated.

Warning – do not engage in unprotected intercourse without contraception until the 3 month semen analysis confirms that all remaining sperms have cleared your body.

It is important that vasectomy should not be considered to be readily reversible as, even in the best hands, pregnancy rates following reversal of vasectomy are less that 50%. Because of this, pre-vasectomy patients may wish to consider freezing and storage of semen prior to their operation. This service is offered by Bridge, as licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and, if you need any further information, please ask for a copy of “Sperm Freezing and Storage – Patient Information“.

To make an appointment

Please contact Admissions on 020 7089 1449. The Admissions office is open from 09:00 – 21:00 Monday to Thursday, 09:00 – 18:00 on Fridays and 09:00 – 16:00 on Saturdays.

 

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