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08/22/2010 05:00 AM

Healthy Living: Vasectomy

By: Web Staff

In the U.S. each year, about a half a million men get a vasectomy but many more think about it. The barriers? A few misconceptions.

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One myth keeping men from getting a vasectomy is that it's not going to work. According to urologist Dr. Mike Ortiz, it's nearly a sure bet.

"The failure rate is much less than any form of contraception especially tubal ligation for women," said Ortiz.

Another myth, the surgery will have a negative impact on sexual function.

"It does not affect erection. It doesn't affect orgasm and for most men they do not notice a difference in the ejaculate," Ortiz said.

The last myth is that a vasectomy will change a man sex drive.

"Does not have any impact on a man's testosterone production, should not change a man's sex drive. In fact more men are pleased with after going through the procedure they don't have to worry about the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy," the doctor said.

It's the most common procedure urologists perform. It's done in the office under a local anesthesia and takes twenty minutes.

"A small incision in the scrotum what we do is locate the vas deferens which is the tube that carries the sperm from the testicles to the prostate and seminal vessels and we tie off that tube with a clip or sutures," said Ortiz.

Men are told to take it easy a week after the procedure.

"Put their feet up ice pack on and off throughout the day and evening, rest and take it easy," Ortiz said.

For 12 weeks following surgery, couples need to continue to use another form of contraception.

"It doesn't happen often but some men want a reversal. It's not going to be cheap, it's not covered by insurance. And the success rate could be 50-50, it depends on how long time has passed since your surgery, " said Ortiz.

Complications are rare but can include bleeding, infection or bruising and a common questions men ask is what happens to the sperm?

"Those sperm only last two or three months they die off and re-absorbed into the body," said the doctor.