I. Introduction
A. Brief explanation of what a no-scalpel vasectomy is
A no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) is a minimally-invasive birth control procedure for men. The purpose of the NSV procedure is to make male patients sterile by sealing off their sperm ducts in their scrotal region.
Consequently, sperm from your testicles won’t mix with semen from your prostate gland. You can’t make your partner pregnant when a semen analysis reveals very minimal sperm content and activity (motility).
The first step in a no-scalpel vasectomy is anaesthesia. Your urologist will numb your scrotal region with a local anaesthesia so you will feel minimal pain and discomfort during the procedure.
Nowadays, doctors use a no-needle jet spray to anaesthetise their patients’ scrotums and make the procedure less invasive. The urologist will typically perform a “test pinch” with his no-scalpel skin dissector to make sure the anaesthesia has already kicked in.
Next, your physician will use the no-scalpel skin dissector to create a tiny incision and expose the sperm ducts. He will use a three-finger technique to isolate the vas deferens (sperm duct) in each of your testicles. Your doctor will use a three-ringed forceps to secure your sperm ducts beneath the scrotal skin.
He will use a coagulating device to divide your sperm ducts into the upper (prostatic) and lower (testicular) ends. Your doctor will also add fascial tissue between the two ends of your vas deferens so they won’t connect anymore. This step also helps prevent vasectomy failure.
Your doctor will cut, cauterise, and seal off your sperm ducts before putting them back in place. Unlike a traditional vasectomy, an NSV procedure doesn’t entail the use of stitches. The tiny incision in your scrotum will heal on its own. Not only that, but the absence of stitches also means you won’t feel any irritation or itching in your scrotal region.
Male patients who undergo a no-scalpel vasectomy usually rest for two days after their discharge. Most of them resume their normal daily activities after the first 48 hours of their recovery.
They resume sexual intercourse (typically with latex condoms since their semen still has sperm content) and their regular fitness routine after one week. Patients usually take two semen tests eight to 12 weeks after their NSV procedure. Once their physician deems their semen has no sperm content and activity, they can have sexual intercourse without other forms of birth control.
B. Importance of choosing the right clinic for the procedure
You made the important life decision to undergo a no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV). The success of your procedure will depend largely on your choice of clinic. Your choice could ultimately make or break your no-scalpel vasectomy experience.
When you choose a clinic, you’re also choosing its featured urologist to perform your no-scalpel vasectomy. You must make sure the doctor has ample knowledge and experience. Otherwise, you might compromise your NSV procedure. Our founder, Dr. Raj Selvarajan, has performed more than 10,000 no-scalpel vasectomies in Australia and the United Kingdom. You’re in good hands whenever you choose an experienced doctor like him.
Your physician’s credentials are just one factor you must consider in choosing the right clinic for your NSV. Obviously, proximity to your home is crucial. You must also consider your prospective clinic’s reputation and facilities – quality of service takes precedence in choosing a vasectomy provider.
Why would you entrust your manhood and your family planning goals to a provider that offers mediocre service? It doesn’t make sense.
On the other hand, receiving the best possible care from a reputable clinic will ensure a smooth and hassle-free no-scalpel vasectomy experience.
C. Overview of what the article will cover
This article will cover the basics of the no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) process. It will break down the steps involved in an NSV procedure and how it differs from a traditional (incisional) vasectomy.
This article will also discuss the various factors male patients should consider when choosing a no-scalpel vasectomy clinic. It will break down the various ways you can compare NSV clinics such as doing online research and getting feedback from healthcare providers and friends.
Finally, this article will also discuss the various red flags you should watch out for when choosing a no-scalpel vasectomy provider. If a clinic has any of these red flags, it’s best to cross it out from your short list.
II. Understanding No-Scalpel Vasectomy
A. Explanation of what a vasectomy entails
A vasectomy (also known as male sterilisation) is a surgical birth control procedure for males. The main goal of vasectomy is to make the male patient infertile or incapable of impregnating a woman.
Medical experts consider vasectomy a permanent birth control procedure. Urologists share this fact with their patients during their pre-procedural counselling session. Single male patients in the 25-to-29 age bracket are likely to have a change of heart in terms of fatherhood some time down the track. Counselling helps these patients weigh their long-term decision very carefully.
Some males ultimately decide to undergo a vasectomy reversal. Unfortunately, this procedure doesn’t have a 100 percent success rate. It’s also more expensive than a no-scalpel vasectomy.
A vasectomy procedure prevents sperm from combining with your semen so you become sterile.
Your testicles produce your sperm. The latter exit your testicles via your vas deferens or sperm ducts. Next, your sperm will mix with semen from your prostate. When just one sperm fertilises the female egg after sexual intercourse with a woman, pregnancy occurs.
Your physician will seal off or block each of your sperm ducts during a vasectomy. This step hinders your sperm from mixing with your semen. However, this won’t happen automatically.
You must ejaculate roughly 15 to 20 times before your semen shows no sperm content or activity. Your doctor will perform a semen analysis eight to 12 weeks after you “get the snip” to confirm this. It’s only then you can have sexual intercourse with your partner without using birth control methods such as latex condoms.
Medical experts believe a vasectomy is the most effective form of male birth control. In fact, the procedure has a success rate that’s higher than 99 percent. Only one of every 2,000 vasectomised men will impregnate a woman after the procedure.
Not only that, but vasectomies also don’t adversely affect your libido and long-term health. However, vasectomies can produce side effects such as haematoma, sperm granulomas (lumps) infection, and testicular pain. Vasectomies also don’t protect men from sexually-transmitted infections (STI). If these issues concern you, talk to your doctor about them.
Despite the possible risks of a vasectomy, the long-term pros still far outweigh the cons. Aside from their high success rate, they also boost your sex life. In fact, a study involving 90 male subjects and 74 female subjects published in the 23 June 2017 issue of Central European Journal of Urology proves this point.
“Vasectomy does not have a negative impact on the sexual satisfaction of the affected couples. In fact, sexual satisfaction improved for the sterilised men, while the satisfaction of the women was not reduced by the vasectomy,” the study concluded.
Almost 29,000 Australian men get vasectomies every year. Most of these men are already fathers who don’t want to have more kids in the future.
B. Key differences between traditional vasectomy and no-scalpel vasectomy
There are two kinds of vasectomy: traditional (incisional) and no-scalpel.
Traditional (incisional) vasectomy: Your doctor will numb your scrotal region with local anaesthesia. He will make two tiny incisions (typically 1 cm long) on each side of your scrotum using a scalpel.
Your urologist will expose each of your sperm ducts through these tiny incisions. He will cut and remove a small section of these ducts. He will either cauterise or tie the ends of your vas deferens.
Finally, he will stitch the incisions to finish off the procedure. The incisions typically wear off after one week.
No-scalpel vasectomy: Your physician will also numb your scrotum with local anaesthesia. Nowadays, doctors use a no-needle jet spray to make the procedure less invasive.
Next, he will isolate your sperm ducts using the three-finger technique. He will puncture a small hole in your scrotal skin area using a no-needle skin dissector.
Your physician will expose your sperm ducts and then either tie or cauterise them. A no-scalpel vasectomy doesn’t require stitches – the small puncture made by the no-needle skin dissector will eventually heal on its own.
Here’s a comparison table featuring the two kinds of vasectomy:
| Traditional (incisional) vasectomy | No-scalpel vasectomy | |
| Anaesthetic used | Local anaesthetic with a needle | No-needle jet spray |
| Incisions | Two tiny incisions on each side of the scrotum using a scalpel | One small puncture in the scrotal region using a no-needle skin dissector |
| Stitches | Yes | No |
| Time of procedure | 20-30 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| Resumption of normal daily activities | One week after discharge | Typically 48 hours after discharge |
| Side effects | Possible swelling, infection, soreness, and bruising after the procedure | Lower chance of side effects such as swelling, soreness, and bruising. |
About the Author
Dr.Raj Selvarajan MBBS MRCS(Ed) MRCGP(UK) FRACGP MMed(UQ)
Scalpel Free Vasectomist,
Course Organiser – Advanced Workshop in No Scalpel Vasectomy (HealthCert)