Throughout the course of performing vasectomies the last few years on patients in the Bay Area, we have encountered repeated questions and perceived myths from our patients. So let's tackle these common vasectomy myths one by one.
Myth #1: Vasectomies are Painful
One of the most common concerns is the pain associated with vasectomies. In reality, the procedure is quite quick and involves minimal discomfort. With modern techniques like no-needle anesthesia and no-scalpel methods, most patients report feeling only slight pressure during the procedure.
In fact, we've had patients leave public reviews that help dispel this myth even further!
"Dr. Assibey and his assistant kept the conversation going and made the whole thing as painless as possible."
-Kris"very little pain and discomfort and it felt like it was done so quickly"
-Jake"By Sunday morning I was literally skipping down the sidewalk with my 5 year old with a little hesitation but no pain to speak of."
-Stephen
View all our reviews on Google
Myth #2: It Affects Your Sex Drive
A vasectomy won’t affect your testosterone levels, sexual performance, or sex drive. All it does is block sperm from reaching the semen. Everything else, including hormone production and sexual function, remains the same. You won't notice any difference during sex or when ejaculating.
Myth #3: Vasectomies are Immediately Effective
A vasectomy doesn’t instantly prevent pregnancy. Some men think they’re in the clear immediately after a vasectomy, but it’s essential to get a sperm analysis around 12 weeks or 20 ejaculations post-procedure. It can take weeks or even months for sperm to completely clear from the semen, so it’s important to use an alternative form of birth control until a follow-up sperm analysis confirms the absence of sperm.
Myth #4: Vasectomies are Easy to Reverse
Vasectomy reversals are complicated and expensive, which is important to understand when you get a vasectomy. Reversal is technically possible, but you should consider vasectomy a permanent decision rather than relying on reversal in the future. Success rates of vasectomy reversal decrease the longer you wait. This is why we encourage cryopreservation (sperm banking) as a precaution before your vasectomy.
Myth #5: You Can’t Have Children After a Vasectomy
While a vasectomy blocks sperm from being part of the ejaculate, it doesn’t mean you can’t have biological children if you change your mind. You can either have sperm banked before the procedure or undergo a reversal (though, as mentioned, reversal success declines over time).
Have More Questions About Vasectomies?
Click here to schedule a free consultation with one of our physicians. Or, read our Frequently Asked Questions or the Procedure page to learn more about vasectomies.
