Vasectomy, or male sterilisation, is a quick and safe procedure which involves the cutting or blocking of the sperm-carrying tubes. It is one of the most effective methods of birth control and comes highly recommended for men who do not want to have any (more) children.

“A vasectomy is a far easier and less risky operation than a female sterilisation procedure, which is why many couples feel it is the best option available,” says Dr Attie Visser, a Urologist practising at the Netcare Garden City Hospital and Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital.

Besides it being a safe procedure, it is also once-off, so there would be nothing further to worry about – no condoms slipping off, and no more forgetting to take a pill, ladies. But there are a few cons to the procedure, the largest being that the procedure is practically non-reversible. Men who want to go for the procedure must be completely sure that they do not want to have pikaninis for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Visser says a vasectomy can be reversed by microsurgery, but it is not always possible. There are two methods of male sterilisation – the tubes can be disconnected by cutting a piece out of it (this ensures that it is properly disconnected and there is no possibility of it being able to carry the sperm) or the tubes are clipped to shut off the flow of sperm, this method may have a better chance of being reversed.

The procedure takes about ten minutes to perform and is done under local or general anaesthetic. “Both sides are done through one little opening. One or two small sutures are made in the scrotum - these dissolve on their own. The patient goes home as soon as he is awake and 99% of patients are back at work the following day”, Dr. Visser noted. It could take two months until you are completely sterile, so special precaution still needs to be taken.

There is a risk of less than one percent that complications will arise, and these complications include secondary bleeding or an infection. The good news for men is that having a vasectomy will not negatively affect your sex drive. It might even better your bedroom experience, because the worry of impregnating your partner is less.

Males who want to have a vasectomy must bear the following in mind - vasectomies do not prevent the transmission of HIV, it only prevents unwanted pregnancy. Seminal fluid is separate from the sperm, and only the sperm will be “shut off”, causing a man’s semen to be devoid of sperm, but not infection. Having a vasectomy will not protect you or your partner from becoming infected with HIV or any sexually transmitted diseases. HIV positive males can have a vasectomy, but special arrangements will have to be made. In addition, using a condom, even after having a vasectomy is done, is still very important to avoid spreading HIV or STDs.

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