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The 8 most common question men ask about the vasectomy procedure.

Isn’t it ironic that guys – who are more likely to clam up during relationship talk – suddenly turn into the Great Inquisitor when it comes to a scalpel near their scrotum?

"It’s a good thing we don’t limit the number of questions a man can ask during a vasectomy consultation, because they certainly have a bunch of them. And that’s great. It’s almost as if they’re looking for a reason NOT to go through with the procedure,” said Dr. Vince Ricchuiti, urologist at N.E.O. Urology in Youngstown, Ohio.

The truth of the matter is vasectomies are routine, safe procedures with very few risks and usually only mild side effects, if any, Ricchiuti said.

That said, the procedure shouldn’t be entered into casually. And patients and their significant others are encouraged to ask questions to fully understand what they’re getting into.

Ricchiuti’s practice is running a “Vas Madness” promotion in March to correspond with the growing trend of men timing their vasectomies for the first week of the NCAA college basketball tournament. Recovery from a vasectomy typically involves two to three days of rest on the couch, an opportune time to watch a popular sporting event for many guys.

The first thing to consider about vasectomies is that they’re meant to permanently prevent a man from conceiving a child. Sounds pretty obvious, right? Dr. Ricchiuti says it’s important to emphasize that while there technically is a reversal procedure, it’s very expensive, it’s not covered by insurance and it has a very low success rate, so if you’re getting a vasectomy consider it to be a permanent fix.

So what else are men most commonly asking?

How does the procedure work? How bad will it hurt?

It’s typically done in the office under anesthesia, and starts with a tiny incision on the underside of the scrotum. Inside the scrotum there’s a tube on each side called the vas deferens, which is cut or otherwise separated to prevent the two sides from coming in contact with each other. With the vas deferens disconnected, sperm is unable to pass through and exit the body. The procedure itself is relatively painless, but rest and ice packs are prescribed afterward to treat swelling and soreness in the area.

Will a vasectomy put me at higher risk for prostate cancer or other health issues?

It’s a common question, and the short answer is no. There have never been any scientific data or research papers showing a connection between vasectomies and prostate cancer. The stronger risk factor for prostate cancer is if there’s a family history – father, brother or uncle. Unrelated to vasectomies, those are the guys we’d want to start screening at a younger age.

What are the biggest risks and side effects?

The biggest complication would be for infection or excessive swelling or bleeding, and instances of these are very rare. We have everyone take an antibiotic after the procedure to prevent an infection.

How will I know if the procedure worked?

The only way to tell is by checking a semen sample after the procedure. We ask patients to come back after two to three months or 20-30 ejaculations after the procedure and drop off a sample. We look at it in the office, and once that sample shows no sperm in the specimen then it’s clear.

Will anything come out when I ejaculate?

Having a vasectomy does not prevent the ejaculation function. The amount of sperm that is part of the ejaculate is a small percentage, and most patients will not notice any appreciable difference.

Will my testosterone or sex drive go down after my procedure?

With a vasectomy all you’re doing is blocking the exit of sperm out of the testicle. It has nothing to do with the function of the testosterone production.

What’s the recovery period like? And how long will I have to wait to have intercourse?

Rest, stay home from work and take it easy for two to three days after the procedure, and make sure the kids don’t jump on your lap. As long as the patient is feeling OK and is up to it, he can have intercourse after about three days.

Does insurance cover vasectomies?

For the most part it’s a covered procedure. Some insurance plans may have higher co-pays, and certain Medicaid and HMO products require a 30-day waiting period, so it’s best to check with your insurance provider before you come in to make sure you know precisely what your plan covers.

According to one growing national trend, men will do just about anything for three days of uninterrupted time on the couch or recliner to watch March Madness college basketball.

Anything, you say?

“It’s true; every year we see more and more men time the date of their vasectomies to the first two weeks of the NCAA college basketball tournament,” said Youngstown Urologist Dr. Vince Ricchiuti of NEO Urology. “Why? It’s largely because the recovery plan for this procedure involves two to three days of resting on the couch with an ice pack on your lap. And what better time to be beholden to your living room and big-screen TV than March Madness?”

A vasectomy is a means of permanent sterilization for men. The procedure, which involves the clamping or cutting of the vas deference from each testicle to prevent sperm from leaving the man’s body, is mainly performed in the office with the use of a sedative to relieve patient anxiety. 

Dr. Ricchiuti views the March Madness trend as being a little deeper than men simply looking for a binge-watching basketball pass.

“Truthfully it’s the wives in many cases who nudge their husbands toward the procedure,” he said. “The March Madness connection just gives them one more piece of ammo to dangle – pardon the pun – in order to convince them it’s time.”

NEO Urology is preparing for “vasectomy season” by extending its office hours and offering some lighthearted promotions.

“We decided to have a little fun with it this year,” Dr. Ricchiuti said. “It’s no secret that a lot of men dread the thought of the procedure for one reason or another, so we’re adding some incentives – themed t-shirts, pizza giveaways, social media photo opportunities and a bracket challenge contest – to make it a less intimidating experience for them.”

Dr. Ricchuiti requires a consultation prior to scheduling the procedure so patients can learn all the facts and risks about vasectomies before making a final decision. He recommends calling to schedule the consultation as soon as possible in order to schedule a March procedure.