Watch the 3-minute video below from Dr. Elyas Parsa where he answers the five most common questions he gets asked about vasectomies:

1. Will vasectomy change my sex drive?
2. Will I stop making sperm? 
3. Will vasectomy have a long painful recovery?
4. Will vasectomy change my testosterone level?
5. Will tubal ligation be easier than getting a vasectomy?

How will a vasectomy affect my sex life and ejaculation?

It won't. The majority of ejaculate is seminal fluid (semen), which comes from the prostate. Sperm is less than 5% of total ejaculate. So, you will not notice any change in volume. It is incredibly rare to have any affect on sex, arousal, and orgasm. The vast majority of those who undergo vasectomy experience no changes at all.

When can I ejaculate again?

Wait at least two days after your vasectomy before ejaculating. But if you are still experiencing discomfort, wait until you feel like you're back to normal.

Does a vasectomy affect testosterone?

No. Testosterone production and uptake do not change after vasectomy. A vasectomy simply prevents sperm from going through the vas deferens. Testosterone continues to be produced by the testicles and absorbed into the bloodstream, and this doesn't change when the vas deferens is severed.

Could I still get my partner pregnant after my vasectomy?

Yes, if you have sex too soon after the procedure. The most common cause of pregnancy after a vasectomy is unprotected sex too soon after the procedure. This is why it is very important to have protected sex until you are told that your semen does not contain sperm. The semen sample needs to be submitted at least 12 weeks and 20 ejaculations after your vasectomy. We make this very easy and convenient with an at-home mail-in kit that we provide the day of your vasectomy procedure. This kit is already included in the cost of your vasectomy.

Can my vasectomy reverse itself?

It's very rare, and even more unlikely with our method. When this does occur, it is called recanalization and is very rare. It usually occurs in the first three months, which is why we tell every patient to wait 12 weeks and 20 ejaculations to test the semen. We do two things to significantly decrease the chance of recanalization occurring:

1. We cauterize the abdominal end of each tube, which prevents passage of sperm. Sperm still exits the open end of the testicular tube, but it cannot traverse the abdominal end if it is cauterized shut.
2. We create a barrier of tissue between the two ends using a small clip or sutures. This is called fascial interposition. 

Late recanalization (months and years later) is exceedingly rare, especially with our surgical method and techniques.

Can I reverse my vasectomy?

It is possible to reverse a vasectomy, but this is not a procedure that we do. We can provide referrals if you ever desire a reversal. Keep in mind that reversals are not guaranteed to be effective. The length of time and surgical method determine the possibility of a successful reversal.

Where does the sperm go?

It gets reabsorbed, just as it used to before the vasectomy. Sperm is constantly produced and absorbed if it isn't released, so this continues to happen in a tube called the epididymis. The epididymis reabsorbs sperm as it has nowhere else to go after the vas deferens is severed. If any sperm do make it through the open ends of the tubes, they simply break down and get reabsorbed.

Does a vasectomy hurt?

With a no-needle, no-scalpel, open-ended vasectomy, there is very little pain. There are no stitches pulling on any incisions, as there are no stitches and no incisions with this method. The puncture we make is very tiny and closes on its own. There is very little swelling, especially since we leave the testicular end of the tubes open. This leads to no backup as there would be in a closed-ended vasectomy. You will notice a bruise, but it shouldn't be painful. There may be some discomfort for up to a week. We recommended Tylenol (acetominophen) and/or ibuprofen for any discomfort you would like to alleviate.

When can I exercise or lift heavy things?

For the first week, take it slow. Ease back into your normal exercise routine. A good rule of thumb is to exercise for half the amount of time at half the intensity. Do not lift anything heavy for the first week, and yes that includes your kids. If you feel back to normal after seven days, you can get back to your usual physical activities.

Can I take a shower, bathe, or swim after a vasectomy?

You can take a shower the next day, but you need to wait at least five days before swimming, getting in a hot tub, or taking a bath. This is to allow the tiny hole to fully close and heal.

What do no-needle, no-scalpel, and open-ended mean? 

No-needle: We do not use a needle to inject local anesthetic (lidocaine). We use an injector which is less painful and more effective specifically for vasectomies.

No-scalpel: We do not use a scalpel to make an incision. We create a tiny opening to access both vas deferens tubes and then use cauterization to sever the tubes.

Open-ended: After a tube is severed, there are two ends: abdominal and testicular. The testicular end is left open, which reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation. It is just as effective in contraception as closed-ended.