Category Archives: Vasectomy 

Anatomy of Vasectomy and Biological Implications

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Before Vasectomy: The vas deferens serves as the conduit for transporting sperm from the epididymis in preparation for ejaculation. Situated on the posterior surface of the testis, the epididymis stores and matures sperm. Two ducts connect the left and right epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts to facilitate sperm movement. Each tube measures approximately 30 centimeters in length. During ejaculation, the smooth muscles in the walls of the vas deferens contract reflexively, propelling sperm forward. These sperm are then transferred from the vas deferens into the urethra, mingling with secretions from male accessory sex glands—such as the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands—which collectively form semen.

vasectomy anatomy

Diagram showing the usual location of a vasectomy:

A.) PenisB.) UrethraC.) Scrotum
D.) TesticleE.) EpididymisF.) Vasectomy
G.) ProstateH.) Seminal vesicleI.) Bladder
J.) Pubic boneK.) Vas deferens

During the Vasectomy: A vasectomy is a method of contraception or male sterilization that involves permanently cutting the vasa deferentia (plural for vas deferens). In this procedure, the vasa deferentia are severed and sealed to prevent sperm from entering the seminal stream (ejaculate). Our approach to vasectomy involves using a sharp hemostat to puncture the scrotum and then severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, a technique known as a no-scalpel vasectomy.

After Vasectomy: Post-vasectomy, the connection between the testes and the penis via the tube is severed. However, the testes remain active and functional; Leydig cells continue producing testosterone and hormones, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Although sperm are still produced by the testes, their path is interrupted. Produced sperm are broken down by the body, with the epididymis’s membranes absorbing the resulting liquid, while solid substances are metabolized by macrophages and absorbed into the bloodstream. The epididymis’s membranes may enlarge to accommodate increased liquid absorption due to the accumulation of stagnant sperm. Additionally, the immune system may increase the number of macrophages to manage the elevated solid waste.

Post-vasectomy observations include:
  • No change in semen composition (except the absence of sperm).
  • No impact on sex drive and desire.
  • No alteration in climax sensation.
  • No effect on penile sensation.
  • No change in the appearance or function of the testes or scrotum.
  • No influence on erections.

    • These factors collectively contribute to the understanding that while a vasectomy interrupts the path of sperm, it does not affect other aspects of male sexual function or reproductive health.

    Note: One Stop Medical Center provides the service of no-Scalpel Easy Vasectomy. We have two office locations in Edina, Minnesota, and Casselberry, Florida. If you are interested in vasectomy, Please fill out the online registration first, we will call you in 2 business days, or please call us at 1-888-992-0019 if any questions.

    Understanding Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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    Introduction
    Vasectomy is a common and effective method of permanent birth control for men. It involves cutting or sealing the vas deferens, preventing sperm from reaching the semen. While vasectomy is generally a safe and straightforward procedure, some men may experience a condition known as Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS). This blog aims to shed light on PVPS, its potential causes, symptoms, and how it can be managed.

    What is Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS)?
    PVPS, or Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome, is a term used to characterize ongoing or recurring discomfort in the scrotum and testicles after a vasectomy. It’s important to recognize that only a minority of men who undergo vasectomy will encounter PVPS, and for most of them, it’s a temporary issue. Nevertheless, the precise cause of this condition remains not fully understood.

    Potential Causes of PVPS
    The exact causes of PVPS are not definitively known, but several factors have been suggested as possible contributors:

    Inflammation: Some researchers believe that inflammation or an autoimmune response triggered by the presence of sperm in the body after a vasectomy may lead to chronic pain.
    Sperm granulomas: The formation of sperm granulomas is the result of the body’s immune reaction to sperm leaking from the cut end of the vas. It may cause temporary discomfort or pain
    Nerve effect or Damage: The development of perineural fibrosis or damage to nerves in the scrotum during the vasectomy procedure could result in chronic pain.
    Epididymal Congestion: A buildup of sperm and fluid in the epididymis (a coiled tube located behind the testicles) or epididymal blowout may cause discomfort or pain.
    Psychological Factors: Stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors can amplify pain perception and may contribute to PVPS.

    Symptoms of PVPS
    PVPS symptoms can vary in severity and may include:

  • Chronic Testicular Pain: Persistent, aching, or throbbing pain in one or both testicles.
  • Scrotal Discomfort: A sensation of heaviness, fullness, or discomfort in the scrotum.
  • Groin Pain: Some men may experience pain radiating into the groin area.
  • Pain During Ejaculation: Discomfort or pain during ejaculation can be a symptom of PVPS.
  • Sexual Dysfunction: PVPS can sometimes lead to reduced sexual desire or erectile dysfunction, primarily due to the fear of experiencing pain during sexual activity.

    • Managing PVPS
    If you experience persistent pain or discomfort after a vasectomy, here are some potential strategies for managing PVPS:

  • Supportive underwear: Wearing a jock strap or compression shorts may help reduce pain in the testicles.
  • Ice or heat: An ice pack or a warming pad may help reduce pain. Sitting in a warm bath also may be helpful during a flare-up.
  • Pain Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or prescription medications may help alleviate discomfort. If anti-inflammatory medications do not help after four weeks, your provider may consider neuropathic pain agents such as Gabapentin or Lyrica. As well, a tricyclic antidepressant or an anticonvulsant can also be used.
  • Nerve Blocks: Injections of local anesthetics with or without steroid or nerve blocks may provide temporary relief for severe pain.
  • Lifestyle Modifications: Reducing physical activity, avoiding heavy lifting, and wearing supportive underwear may help alleviate symptoms.
  • Physical Therapy: Pelvic floor physical therapy and exercises may be beneficial in some cases to relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow.
  • Psychological Support: Counseling or therapy can help individuals manage the psychological aspects of chronic pain.

    • Surgical Options for PVPS
    1. Sperm Granuloma Removal: Surgery to remove localized scar tissue on the vas deferens can alleviate pain in specific cases.
    2. Microdenervation of the Spermatic Cord (MDSC): This surgical procedure isolates nerves and veins in the spermatic cord to reduce pain signals, often effective after a cord block.
    3. Reversal: In some cases, a vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) may be considered to reconnect the vas deferens, although this procedure is not always successful.
    4. Epididymectomy or Orchiectomy: Removing the epididymis or testicle, especially when cysts or granulomas are present, can relieve associated pain.

    Conclusion
    Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome is a relatively rare but challenging condition that can significantly impact a man’s quality of life. If you suspect you have PVPS or experience persistent scrotal pain after a vasectomy, consult a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment options. While PVPS can be frustrating to deal with, many individuals find relief through various interventions, and with the right support and management, they can regain their comfort and peace of mind.

    Note: One Stop Medical Center provides the service of no-Scalpel Easy Vasectomy. We have two office locations in Edina, Minnesota, and Casselberry, Florida. If you are interested in vasectomy, Please fill out the online registration first, we will call you in 2 business days, or please call us at 1-888-992-0019 if any questions.

    Navigating the Path to Vasectomy Recovery: What to Expect

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    Introduction

    Vasectomy, a permanent form of birth control for men, is a common and effective procedure. While it’s relatively straightforward and minimally invasive, it still requires a period of recovery. Understanding what to expect during vasectomy recovery can help ease any anxiety and ensure a smooth healing process. In this blog, we will explore the various aspects of vasectomy recovery, from the procedure itself to the post-operative care and potential complications.

    The Vasectomy Procedure
    The vasectomy procedure with no-scalpel techniques typically takes less than 10 minutes and can be performed in a doctor’s office. It’s often done under local anesthesia, meaning you’ll be awake but numb in the genital area. After the vasectomy, you’ll be sent home to begin your recovery.

    Immediate Post-Procedure Period
    After your vasectomy, you’ll likely experience some discomfort and minor swelling in the scrotal area. Here’s what you can expect during the immediate post-procedure period:

  • Pain and Discomfort: Mild pain or discomfort is common for a few days after the procedure. Your doctor usually recommends over-the-counter pain medications, rarely, prescribes pain medications.
  • Swelling and Bruising: Swelling and bruising around the scrotum are normal, but less severe after the introduction of no scalpel techniques. Applying ice packs wrapped in a cloth for 20-30 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and ease discomfort.
  • Rest: It’s important to rest for the first 48 hours after the procedure. Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and sexual activity for a week.

    • Recovery Tips

    Here are some recovery tips to help you heal more comfortably:

  • Follow Doctor’s Instructions: Always follow your doctor’s post-operative instructions.
  • Supportive Underwear: Wearing supportive underwear like briefs or an athletic supporter can help reduce discomfort and provide support to the scrotum.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush any residual anesthesia and medications from your system and promote healing.
  • Avoid Heavy Lifting: Refrain from lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activities for at least a week to prevent complications.
  • Sexual Activity: Typically, you should avoid sexual activity for about a week after the procedure.

    • Potential Complications

    While vasectomies are generally safe, there can be complications. These are rare but may include:

  • Infection: Look out for signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, or swelling. Contact your doctor if you suspect an infection.
  • Sperm Granuloma: Sometimes, sperm can leak from the cut end of the vas deferens, forming a small, painful lump called a sperm granuloma. This can usually be treated with medication or may resolve on its own.
  • Chronic Pain: Some men may experience chronic scrotal pain after a vasectomy. This is rare but should be discussed with your doctor if it persists.

    • Conclusion

    Vasectomy recovery is a relatively straightforward process, and most men can return to their normal activities within a week or so. By following your doctor’s advice, taking it easy during the initial recovery period, and being attentive to any potential complications, you can ensure a smooth and successful vasectomy recovery. Remember that a vasectomy is a permanent form of contraception, so discuss all your options and any concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

    Note: One Stop Medical Center provides the service of no-Scalpel Easy Vasectomy. We have two office locations in Edina, Minnesota, and Casselberry, Florida. If you are interested in vasectomy, Please fill out the online registration first, we will call you in 2 business days, or please call us at 1-888-992-0019 if any questions.

    Celebrating World Vasectomy Day – A Step Towards Sustainable Family Planning

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    Introduction

    World Vasectomy Day, observed on November 17th each year, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about vasectomy as a safe, effective, and responsible family planning method. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of shared responsibility in family planning and its role in achieving sustainable population growth. In this blog, we will delve into the significance of World Vasectomy Day, its history, and why it deserves recognition worldwide.

    The History of World Vasectomy Day
    World Vasectomy Day was founded by Jonathan Stack, a filmmaker, and urologist Dr. Doug Stein in 2013. Their mission was to challenge the stereotypes surrounding vasectomy and encourage more men to consider it as a viable family planning option. They believed that by promoting vasectomy, they could empower men to take an active role in family planning and contribute to the global goal of sustainable population growth.

    Why Vasectomy Matters

  • Reproductive Equality: One of the fundamental principles behind World Vasectomy Day is promoting equality in family planning. Traditionally, the burden of contraception has largely fallen on women, with limited options for men. Vasectomy offers men a safe and highly effective method for family planning, allowing couples to share the responsibility equally.
  • Sustainability: As the global population continues to grow, the strain on natural resources and the environment increases. Vasectomy plays a crucial role in curbing population growth and promoting sustainable living. By reducing the number of unintended pregnancies, vasectomy contributes to a more balanced world.
  • Health and Safety: Vasectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure with a high success rate. It is safer and less complicated than female sterilization (tubal ligation). Promoting vasectomy as a responsible family planning choice helps dispel myths and fears associated with the procedure.
  • Cost-Effective: Vasectomy is a cost-effective family planning method when compared to other options like contraceptives, which require continuous expenses. Once the procedure is done, there are no ongoing costs, making it an economically sound choice.
  • Reversibility: While vasectomy is considered permanent, advancements in medical technology have made it possible to reverse the procedure in some cases. This provides couples with additional flexibility in their family planning decisions.

    • The Impact of World Vasectomy Day
    World Vasectomy Day has made significant strides in raising awareness about vasectomy. Through educational campaigns, community outreach programs, and media coverage, the initiative has reached millions of people around the globe. It has encouraged conversations about family planning and the importance of men’s involvement in this critical aspect of reproductive health.

    On this day, many healthcare providers offer discounted or free vasectomy services, making it more accessible to those who may be considering it. This not only removes financial barriers but also encourages men to take that step towards responsible family planning.

    How You Can Get Involved

  • Spread Awareness: Share information about World Vasectomy Day on your social media platforms, using relevant hashtags and sharing informative posts. Educate your friends and family about the benefits and safety of vasectomy.
  • Attend Local Events: Check if there are any events or discussions happening in your community related to World Vasectomy Day. Participating in local events can help you connect with like-minded individuals and learn more about this family planning option.
  • Supportive Conversations: Have open and honest conversations with your partner, friends, and family about vasectomy. Encourage dialogue and dispel any myths or misconceptions they may have.
  • Seek Information: If you or your partner are considering vasectomy, consult a healthcare provider to learn more about the procedure and its suitability for your family planning needs.

    • Conclusion
    World Vasectomy Day is a remarkable initiative that sheds light on the importance of shared responsibility in family planning. By promoting vasectomy as a safe, effective, and responsible method, it contributes to a more sustainable world, reduces the burden on women, and encourages men to play an active role in family planning decisions. It’s a day to celebrate and advocate for reproductive equality and environmental sustainability. Join the movement, spread awareness, and let’s work together towards a more balanced and sustainable world.

    Note: One Stop Medical Center provides the service of no-Scalpel Easy Vasectomy. We have two office locations in Edina, Minnesota, and Casselberry, Florida. If you are interested in vasectomy, Please fill out the online registration first, we will call you in 2 business days, or please call us at 1-888-992-0019 if any questions.

    Understanding Vasectomy Success Rate: What You Need to Know

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    Introduction

    Vasectomy is a common and highly effective method of permanent contraception for men. It involves a surgical procedure to cut or block the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. While vasectomy is considered a safe and reliable form of contraception, many individuals contemplating the procedure understandably have questions about its success rate. In this blog, we will explore the factors that influence vasectomy success rates and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what to expect.

    What is Vasectomy?
    Before delving into the success rates, let’s briefly review what a vasectomy is and how it works. A vasectomy is a surgical procedure performed by a urologist, family physician or a trained medical professional. During the procedure, the vas deferens, which transport sperm from the testicles to the urethra, are either cut, tied, or sealed off. This prevents sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation, making a man sterile.

    Vasectomy Success Rate
    The success of a vasectomy primarily depends on the definition of success. If you define success as an effective form of contraception, vasectomy ranks extremely high. However, it’s important to clarify what success means in the context of vasectomy.

    1. Contraceptive Success: Vasectomy stands out as one of the most exceptional methods of contraception available today. The success rate in preventing pregnancy after a traditional vasectomy is a remarkable 99.85% in the long term. To put this into perspective, for every 1,000 couples who entrust vasectomy as their contraceptive method, fewer than 2 couples will find themselves facing an unintended pregnancy.

    Furthermore, modern no-scalpel vasectomy has raised the bar even higher, boasting a failure rate of less than 1 in 2,000 cases. In practical terms, this means that for every 2,000 couples who rely on vasectomy as their contraceptive method, fewer than 1 couple will encounter the unexpected challenge of an unintended pregnancy. This improved success rate underscores the efficacy and dependability of vasectomy as a contraceptive choice.

    2. Semen Analysis: After a vasectomy, it is crucial to confirm that the procedure has worked and there are no sperm present in the semen. This is typically done through semen analysis. Success is defined as achieving a sperm count of zero or a very low number of non-motile sperm in the ejaculate. Most men will need to wait for three months and ejaculate at least 20 times to clear any remaining sperm from the system.

    Factors Influencing Vasectomy Success
    Several factors can influence the success of a vasectomy, and understanding these factors is essential for anyone considering the procedure.

  • Skill of the Surgeon: The experience and skill of the surgeon performing the vasectomy are critical. An experienced urologist or surgeon is more likely to perform the procedure accurately, reducing the risk of complications.
  • Semen Analysis Follow-Up: Semen analysis is required to confirm the absence of sperm in the ejaculate. Failure to complete the recommended follow-up can result in an increased risk of unintended pregnancy.
  • Patience: After a vasectomy, it takes time for remaining sperm to clear from the reproductive system. It’s important to continue using an alternative form of contraception until a semen analysis confirms the absence of sperm.

    • Conclusion
    Vasectomy is a highly effective and reliable method of permanent contraception for men. Its success rate in preventing pregnancy is nearly 100%, making it one of the most dependable options available. However, it’s crucial to follow the recommended post-vasectomy protocols, including semen analysis, and choose a skilled healthcare professional to perform the procedure. When done correctly, vasectomy offers long-term contraceptive peace of mind for men and their partners. If you’re considering a vasectomy, consult with a qualified healthcare provider who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific needs and circumstances.

    Note: One Stop Medical Center provides the service of no-Scalpel Easy Vasectomy. We have two office locations in Edina, Minnesota, and Casselberry, Florida. If you are interested in vasectomy, Please fill out the online registration first, we will call you in 2 business days, or please call us at 1-888-992-0019 if any questions.

    No-Scalpel Vasectomy: A Modern Approach to Permanent Birth Control | MN | FL

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    Introduction

    In the realm of modern medicine, advancements continue to reshape various medical procedures, making them less invasive, more efficient, and patient-friendly. One such advancement is the technique of “No-Scalpel Vasectomy” (NSV), a remarkable approach to permanent birth control for men. Gone are the days of traditional surgical methods involving incisions and stitches. Instead, NSV offers a minimally invasive, quick, and effective option for those seeking a long-term solution to family planning.

    Understanding No-Scalpel Vasectomy

    No-Scalpel Vasectomy, often referred to as NSV, is a modern technique designed to provide a permanent method of male contraception. It involves the surgical sealing or blocking of the vas deferens, the tubes that transport sperm from the testicles to the ejaculatory ducts. This prevents the sperm from mixing with semen, thus rendering the patient sterile.

    Key Advantages of No-Scalpel Vasectomy:

  • Minimally Invasive: The most significant advantage of NSV is its minimally invasive nature. Unlike traditional vasectomy, which requires incisions and sutures, NSV involves a small puncture in the skin, typically just a few millimeters in size. This reduces the risk of complications, reduces discomfort, and speeds up the recovery process.
  • Quick Procedure: NSV is a relatively quick procedure, often taking only about 15-30 minutes to complete. The speed of the procedure contributes to reduced anxiety and discomfort for the patient.
  • Local Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which means the patient remains awake but feels little to no pain during the surgery. This eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia and allows for a quicker recovery.
  • Rapid Recovery: Due to its minimally invasive nature, NSV usually results in a faster recovery compared to traditional vasectomy methods. Most patients can return to their daily activities within a couple of days and experience minimal discomfort.
  • Lower Complication Rates: NSV has been associated with lower rates of infection, bleeding, and other complications when compared to traditional vasectomy techniques.

    • The No-Scalpel Vasectomy Procedure:

  • Anesthesia: The procedure begins with the administration of local anesthesia to numb the area.
  • Puncture: A small puncture is made in the scrotum, often using a specialized tool. This puncture is used to access the vas deferens.
  • Vas Deferens Exposure: Through the puncture, the surgeon carefully exposes the vas deferens.
  • Blockage or Sealing: The vas deferens is then sealed or blocked using various methods such as cauterization, clamping, or cutting a small section. This prevents the sperm from reaching the semen.
  • Closure: The small puncture is left to heal on its own without stitches. It usually closes up naturally within a few days.
  • Recovery: After the procedure, patients are advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Pain and discomfort are typically minimal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

    • Conclusion

    No-Scalpel Vasectomy is a revolutionary technique that offers a modern, minimally invasive approach to permanent male contraception. Its benefits, including a quick procedure, minimal discomfort, and fast recovery, make it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable form of birth control. As medical technology continues to evolve, procedures like NSV highlight the progress being made to enhance patient experiences and outcomes in the field of urology and reproductive health. If you’re considering a vasectomy, discussing the no-scalpel option with a qualified healthcare professional can help you make an informed decision about the best approach for your individual needs.

    Note: One Stop Medical Center provides the service of no-Scalpel Easy Vasectomy. We have two office locations in Edina, Minnesota, and Casselberry, Florida. If you are interested in vasectomy, Please fill out the online registration first, we will call you in 2 business days, or please call us at 1-888-992-0019 if any questions.

    A Brief History of Vasectomy: Shaping the Future of Male Contraception | MN | FL

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    Introduction
    For centuries, contraception has played a vital role in family planning and population control. Among the various methods available, vasectomy stands as one of the most effective and reliable choices for men seeking a permanent solution for contraception. Let’s delve into the fascinating history of vasectomy, tracing its roots from ancient times to the modern-day, and exploring how it has evolved to shape the future of male reproductive health.

    Ancient Beginnings
    The concept of male sterilization has ancient origins, dating back thousands of years. Some evidence suggests that early attempts at vasectomy were practiced in ancient societies like ancient Egypt and China. However, these early methods were crude, with limited success rates and often resulted in significant health risks for the individuals involved.

    19th Century Innovations
    The modern history of vasectomy began to take shape in the 19th century when medical advancements and scientific knowledge progressed significantly. In 1823, a German surgeon named Dr. Karl Ferdinand von Graefe is believed to have performed the first intentional vasectomy for contraception. His approach involved removing a small segment of the vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, to prevent it from reaching the ejaculate. While this technique laid the foundation for future vasectomy procedures, it was not widely adopted due to the lack of understanding of reproductive anatomy and surgical expertise at the time.

    Revolution and Acceptance
    It wasn’t until the early 20th century that vasectomy gained more recognition and acceptance as a viable contraceptive option. In the United States, Dr. Harry Sharp is credited with performing the first successful vasectomy in 1897. However, it was during the 1920s and 1930s that vasectomy gained traction, thanks to Dr. T. J. McBride, who popularized the procedure as an effective means of contraception. This period saw an increase in the number of vasectomies performed and a gradual shift towards more standardized and safer techniques.

    Eugenics and Population Control
    During the early to mid-20th century, the rise of eugenics movements and concerns about population growth influenced the popularity of vasectomy. Some proponents of eugenics promoted vasectomy as a means to control the population and “improve” the human gene pool. These misguided ideologies led to the forced sterilization of marginalized and disadvantaged groups, raising significant ethical questions.

    Modern Advances
    In the latter half of the 20th century, vasectomy procedures continued to evolve with the introduction of modern surgical techniques. No-scalpel vasectomy (NSV), developed in the 1970s by Chinese physician Dr. Li Shunqiang, reduced the invasiveness of the procedure, resulting in quicker recovery times and fewer complications. NSV gained widespread popularity and is now the preferred technique for vasectomies in many parts of the world.
    The no-needle technique, also known as needle-free vasectomy, replaces the needle with a specialized device that uses high-pressure to deliver the anesthetic solution through the skin and into the targeted area. It provides the faster and effective anesthesia with minimizes bruising and swelling, and it also enhanced patient experience with the reduced fear of pain and needles.

    Reversibility and Family Planning
    With advancements in microsurgery, vasectomy reversal became a viable option for men who wished to regain fertility after a change in circumstances or family planning goals. While reversal procedures can be successful, they are not always guaranteed, and it is essential for individuals considering vasectomy to think of it as a permanent decision.

    Future of Vasectomy
    As we look to the future, the field of male contraception is experiencing a resurgence of interest and research. Scientists are exploring innovative approaches to reversible male contraception, such as hormonal methods, non-hormonal interventions, and immunological approaches. These advancements aim to provide more options and flexibility for men to take an active role in family planning.

    Conclusion
    The history of vasectomy is a testament to the progress of medical science and the ongoing pursuit of safe and effective contraception methods. From its ancient beginnings to the modern-day, vasectomy has evolved to become a reliable option for men seeking a permanent contraceptive solution. With continued research and technological advancements, the future holds promising possibilities for male contraception, empowering individuals and couples to make informed choices about their reproductive health.

    Note: One Stop Medical Center has provided the no scalpel vasectomy with no needle and no suture in the past 20 years. We have 2 office locations, Edina office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Casselberry in Orlando, Florida. Please fill out the online registration first if you are interested in vasectomy, we will call you in 2 business days, or call us at 1-888-992-0019 if any questions.

    The Most Common Question Men Ask About A Vasectomy: Pain | Minneapolis & Orlando

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    The idea of no scalpel Easy Vasectomy® can seem daunting – on the one hand, it is a minimal invasive procedure done in a doctor’s office within 10 minutes, using only local anesthesia, and it is one of the most reliable, cost-effective forms of long term birth control available. On the other hand, a vasectomy can feel like kind of a drastic step to take because vasectomy is a surgical procedure. Although the techniques used in no scalpel Easy Vasectomy® is so advanced and so minimal invasive, still, many men in Minnesota and Florida hesitate to have their vasectomy done due to three factors: fear of pain, cost, and time. We are talking about each of them in this series of blogs. The first blog is to talk about pain related to vasectomy.

    How painful is it during the Easy Vasectomy® procedure?
    The number one objection voiced by the male patients in Minnesota and Florida to having a vasectomy done is the fear of pain. Believe or not, the no scalpel Easy Vasectomy® procedure is incredibly simple, safe and almost pain free. How do we achieve it?

    1. No scalpel: The new surgical techniques of the no scalpel vasectomy greatly minimize trauma and pain by only making a small, single punch in the skin of scrotum with special instruments, as opposed to a conventional, more invasive open procedure.

    2. No Needle: Madajet is a spray applicator that delivers a fine stream of anesthetic at a pressure great enough to penetrate the skin and envelop the vas deferens tube beneath the skin with an almost 100% efficacy rate, eliminating the need for additional anesthetic. There is no needle involved during the whole process of procedure.

    3. No suture: The size of wound is a few millimeter only, and it is so small that it doesn’t need any stitches to close. The sutures in the wound can more or less cause the suture reaction in tissue and cause pain.

    95% of the vasectomy patients in Minnesota and Florida said there was mild, minimal, or no pain with their brief vasectomy procedure. Each patient is unique, and some are more sensitive to pain and discomfort than others. For some men, thinking about it may be more discomforting anxiety than the actual procedure. By offering no needle and no scalpel techniques for a vasectomy, Procedure Clinic in the Twin Cities and Orlando has mitigated the pain of the procedure and the fear that comes with it.

    How long will I experience discomfort after Easy Vasectomy®?
    The single wound in the middle of scrotum after Easy Vasectomy® is so tiny that it doesn’t even require a suture to close it, which further facilitates the recovery and healing. Discomfort afterwards is minimal. A shorter recovery time with mild swelling and bruise means that patients will be back to their normal routine just in two days after the procedure.

    Small percentage men state they still felt a certain degree of ache or discomfort for a few weeks after the procedure, but if you’re still sore or tender after more than a couple weeks you may want to give your physician a call. Post vasectomy pain syndrone (PVPS) occasionally occurs in some patients, and it usually resolves in a few months after interventions.

    Procedure Clinic Offers No-scalpel, No-needle, No-suture Vasectomy in Minneapolis and Orlando

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    Each year, more than half million men in the US choose to get a vasectomy, and it is estimated that almost 100 million No-Scalpel Vasectomies have been performed around the world. Getting a vasectomy is an important decision in any man’s life and it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. no scalpel vasectomy is a safe and popular procedure of male contraception that is highly effective. Dr. Shu at Procedure Clinic has performed almost 6000 of such procedures in the past 20 years, and he expanded his vasectomy practice to Orlando, Fl last year.

    Things to Know About Vasectomy

    One should gather ample information and learn the facts and concepts associated with vasectomy before undergoing the procedure. Here are some things you should know about vasectomy before choosing it as a form of contraception:

  • Vasectomy is performed as a permanent form of male contraception
  • No scalpel vasectomy is much less invasive and offers quick recovery
  • Vasectomy is ideal for men who are 100% sure they do not want more children
  • Most vasectomies are done within 10 min in the doctors’ offices.
  • Vasectomies are nearly 100 percent effective and safe.
  • Sterilization for a man (vasectomy) is significantly less expensive than for a woman (tubal ligation), which may be up to five times more costly.
  • There may be little or no cost to you since most health care insurance programs cover vasectomies.
  • They don’t reduce a man’s sexual drive, virility, or ability to have or enjoy sex.

    • Limitations of Vasectomy:

    • Not 100% reversible
    • Must use other forms of birth-control for three months until sperm-free.
    • Does not prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).

    Advantages of Vasectomy…

    • Low one-time expense often covered by insurance companies
    • More dependable than any other form of contraception including female sterilization.
    • Eliminates risks associated with birth control pills or shots and the IUD.
    • Vasectomy reversals are less costly and more successful than tubal ligation reversals (see Vasectomy Reversal).
    • No need for inconvenient and less dependable methods, so there are…

      • no more worries!!!!

    For more information on no scalpel vasectomy in Minneapolis, MN and Orlando, FL, please browse through Easy Vasectomy

    Is a Vasectomy the Right Choice for You? | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Both you and your partner should decide if a vasectomy is the right choice.

    Vasectomy is indicated for men in Minnesota and Florida who:

    • Are in a stable relationship, and you and your partner agree that you do not want any more children. You do not want to use, or cannot use, other forms of birth control.
    • Your partner has health problems that would make pregnancy unsafe for her.
    • You and/or your partner have genetic disorders that they do not want to risk passing on to their children.

    Vasectomy may NOT be a good choice for the men in Minnesota who:

    • You and/or your partner are still unsure about whether you should have children
    • Are in a unstable or stressful relationship.
    • Are thinking about having it just to please their partner.
    • Want to have children later by storing their sperm or by reversing their vasectomy.
    • Are very young and still have many life changes ahead.
    • Are single when they want to have a vasectomy. This includes men who are divorced, widowed, or separated.
    • Are interested in temporary birth control

    The Procedure Clinic has two offices, Edina office in Minnesota and Orlando office in Florida. When you are ready, please fill out the online registration form in our website, and we will call you to schedule the Easy Vasectomy procedure within 2 business days.

    If you have any specific questions, please email us or call us at 952-922-9999, or 1-888-992-0019. Please keep in mind, the clinic is closed on Mondays, and it opens 9am to 5pm from Tuesday to Friday.

    11 Reasons to Gift Yourself a Vasectomy This Christmas | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    The holiday season is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s than by scheduling that vasectomy you’ve been thinking of doing for months? But just in case you’re still on the fence, here are a few reasons to consider this low-risk, rewarding procedure.
     

    13 Reasons to Get a Vasectomy This Christmas

    1. Most importantly: A vasectomy is extremely effective in preventing pregnancy.
    While it’s not 100 percent effective (just like any other form of contraception or birth control that isn’t abstinence), a vasectomy yields a 99+ percent success rate.

    2. It’s reversible.
    Maybe you decide later on that you DO, in fact, want children. Whatever your reasoning, a vasectomy can easily be reversed, so you can enjoy its long-lasting benefits without the fear of permanent sterility.

    3. It’s affordable.
    Here at One Stop Medical Center, we keep our Easy VasectomyⓇ costs as transparent and fair as possible. For patients who pay with cash, check or charge card, we offer a discounted rate that’s significantly lower than those of other clinics.

    4. The risks are low.
    Our no-scalpel procedure is incredibly safe with very few potential risks or complications. While a very small percentage of patients experience post-surgery bleeding, infection or pain, a vasectomy is one of the safest procedures performed overall.

    5. Your sperm count remains unaffected.
    Vasectomies don’t halt sperm production. The procedure merely prevents your sperm from having access to being released. However, some sperm may remain in the semen for a small window of time immediately after the surgery, so be sure to use a form of birth control during this phase.

    6. The procedure only takes a few minutes to complete.
    The actual snipping takes about 10 minutes, while the entire surgery from start to finish (including setup and cleanup) requires about one hour. That’s basically one episode of Black Mirror!

    7. It doesn’t change your hormones or sexual functioning.
    A vasectomy does not affect the penis or a man’s ability to perform sexually. Most couples report that they do not experience changes in sexual activity or function following the procedure.

    8. A vasectomy is very straightforward and easy to understand.
    The whole thing is quite simple. Performed in a doctor’s office, the scrotum is opened before the two vas deferens are cut and stitched shut. Done.

    9. The recovery process is pretty quick.
    Downtime only takes about 7-10 days, with most men returning to regular activities (except heavy lifting) within two weeks. Other than keeping the area iced and avoiding straining, the recovery period is pretty chill and gives patients an excuse to lie on the couch for a few days.

    10. You and your partner can have sexual freedom.
    Think about it—never having to worry about birth control or contraception again. No more concerns about whether your partner took her pill on time, or if a last-minute run to the pharmacy is needed. So much less stressful.

    11. More vasectomies encourages more family planning worldwide.
    Our planet doesn’t have enough resources to accommodate our growing population, and many areas of the world are still being introduced to family planning. As vasectomy procedures become more accessible and culturally accepted, more men will hopefully choose the vasectomy route and participate in family planning.

     
    For a vasectomy consultation, please call us at (952) 922-2151 or stop by our Edina office. We look forward to hearing from you!

     

    Managing the Unpleasant Effects of Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS) | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    One of the biggest risks and potential effects of undergoing a vasectomy procedure is to succumb to post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS), a condition affecting roughly one out of every 1,000 men who opt for the surgery. Unlike acute post-surgical pain that can last two to four weeks, PVPS symptoms can persist for months or even years after completion of the vasectomy.

    This long-term pain, as you can imagine, can be truly debilitating and impact one’s quality of life. Defined as “constant or intermittent testicular pain for three months or longer with a severity that interferes with daily activities prompting the patient to seek medical treatment,” PVPS becomes even more frustrating when you consider how little is known about its treatment options. Despite a recent increase in men suffering from PVPS, a widely accepted protocol for evaluation and treatment has yet to be implemented.

    However, there are a few ways to go about managing PVPS symptoms based on the severity of the patient’s pain. There are both non-surgical and surgical options, the latter typically being a last resort.
     

    Non-Surgical Options

    Oral Anti-Inflammatories – Ketorolac or ibuprofen can help with pain and inflammation of the vas deferens and epididymis (sperm duct)

    Physical Therapy – Can help ease pelvic pain and discomfort that arises from testicular pain

    Spermatic Cord Anesthetic Block (SCAB)– Combines numbing medicine and a steroid anti-inflammatory to work as an anesthesia for scrotal pain
     

    Surgical Options

    Vasectomy Reversal – Straightforward method to undo the intended effects of the original vasectomy procedure, which should include any related side effects/pain (but this will make the patient fertile again)

    Epididymectomy – Removes the epididymis (sperm duct) entirely so that any sperm blockage/inflammation is no longer a factor (but this also permanently prevents any chance of fatherhood or vasectomy reversal)

    Microscopic spermatic cord denervation – Newer surgical method that decreases PVPS pain by removing all nerves that run adjacent to the spermatic cord, almost like a surgical version of the SCAB method above (maintains patient’s sterility)
     
    If you think you’re suffering from PVPS or experiencing any prolonged post-vasectomy pain, contact your doctor immediately for an evaluation.

     

    Vasectomy Procedures Predicted to Increase By 30 Percent in 2019 | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    As the sixth annual World Vasectomy Day quickly approaches, it’s no surprise that more men around the world are becoming increasingly informed about vasectomy options and family planning. With vasectomy global awareness rapidly rising, it’s only a matter of time before we see a spike in procedures performed.
     
    VasectomyStore.com, a New York “web-based surgical instrument and information store” that has promoted vasectomies for over two decades, recently predicted that US doctors will see a whopping 30 percent increase in vasectomy procedures in 2019. As public perceptions and knowledge of male contraception slowly change, more men and couples are expected to consider the underutilized vasectomy procedure.

    “Vasectomy has experienced a popularity surge in recent years,” the company said in a statement. “It’s partly the economy but also events like World Vasectomy Day that really spotlight the value of men taking responsibility in family planning.”

    World Vasectomy Day celebrates responsible men who rise up out of love for their partner, their family and our future. Please join One Stop Medical Center in supporting this movement—our clinic will offer a gift card for one free large pizza to all patients who undergo a vasectomy on November 14, 2018.

    For more information on our clinic’s vasectomy services, please click here or call us at (952) 922-2151.

     

    Robot-Assisted Vasectomy Reversals: Are They Reliable? | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    From self-order kiosks to robot vacuum cleaners and robot cafes, the rise of robot-assisted experiences in recent years has been undeniable. But would you ever consider participating in a robot-assisted surgical procedure?

    In a previous blog post, we detailed the pros and cons of electing a robotic vasectomy reversal over a traditional vasectomy reversal performed by a surgeon. While a robot would provide more precise cuts and deliver a more efficient process overall, actual results seemed to show that patient outcomes were simply comparable to, rather than improved from, those of traditional reversals. And since robot machines are quite expensive, most surgical centers are sticking to traditional reversals for the time being.
     
    However, costs aside, it’s still noteworthy to highlight the reliability and effectiveness of robot-assisted vasectomy reversals. A 2014 study conducted by urologist Parviz K. Kavoussi concluded that “transitioning from MVR (microsurgical vasectomy reversal) to RAVR (robot-assisted vasectomy reversal) is feasible with comparable outcomes.”
     
    Comparing 27 men who elected MVR and 25 men who elected RAVR, Kavoussi found that there was “no statistically significant difference” between the two groups in “overall patency rates (89 percent vs 92 percent), six weeks post-VR mean sperm concentrations (28 million ml−1 vs 26 million ml−1), total motile counts (29 million vs 30 million) or mean operative times (141 min vs 150 min).”

    Interestingly, the study also found that for men who were in the 0–8 years obstructed interval, RAVR had a 100 percent patency rate compared to an 89 percent patency rate for MVR. This particular finding could be a game changer in the development of robotic vasectomy reversals and significantly influence some patients’ preferred techniques.

    As more research on robot-assisted procedures surfaces in the coming years, we may see shifts in how doctors and patients perceive such methods. One thing’s for certain, though—the use of robots in everyday life will surely become more common than ever.

     

    Celebrate World Vasectomy Day on Nov. 14 With One Stop Medical Center | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    From Bali to Kenya to Mexico, the World Vasectomy Day (WVD) movement has rapidly spread across the globe with the crucial mission of engaging men in family planning conversations. This year’s WVD celebration, held in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 14, is set to feature the movement’s most comprehensive and innovative event lineup to date.

    By teaming up with local NGOs and the Rwanda Ministry of Health, WVD aims to not only provide high-quality vasectomies to men whose families are complete, but to also promote family planning through a broad media campaign. This dynamic, exciting two-week lineup showcases everything from doctor training programs and vasectomy-focused lectures to a reproductive health fair and an all-day vasectomy-athon.

    Dr. Shu and One Stop Medical Center are proud to support WVD for a sixth straight year. Our clinic will offer a gift card for one free large pizza to all patients who undergo a vasectomy on November 14, 2018. Through our collaboration efforts, we hope to make vasectomies more accessible worldwide while helping more men explore family planning options.

    World Vasectomy Day celebrates responsible men who rise up out of love for their partner, their family and our future. Please join us in supporting this movement.

     

    The Curious Case of Vasectomy Late Failure | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    After undergoing a vasectomy procedure, patients typically aren’t declared sterile until a post-surgery semen examination comes back negative. While early failure of a vasectomy—where semen is detected in the ejaculate soon after the procedure—has been recorded and recognized as a possibility for nearly 50 years, late failure of a vasectomy wasn’t considered until years later.

    Late failure of a vasectomy occurs when semen reappears in the ejaculate even after two previous negative specimens. In an eight-year span between 1984 and 1992, six spontaneous late failure cases were recorded. All six cases resulted in DNA-proven fatherhood despite previously consistent negative semen analyses that confirmed patients could forego secondary contraception.

    In one case, a patient who underwent a vasectomy in March ’84 recorded one positive semen analysis before recording two consecutive negative analyses later that year. Despite his negative semen results, he conceived a child in November ’85 while still showing a negative sperm count post-conception.

    How does late failure of a vasectomy even happen? Based on study results from Churchill Hospital in the UK, it’s assumed that patients must have intermittently produced small amounts of viable semen either in between semen analyses or after the final analysis. Furthermore, results showed that even when post-conception semen analyses came back negative, paternity was still possible and, in these cases, actually confirmed via DNA.

    All in all, a vasectomy is still the most reliable method of permanent male contraception. However, it’s important for all patients to note that late failure and/or pregnancy after a vasectomy, while rare, is still a possibility.

     

    Study Finds Limited Use of Post-Vasectomy Secondary Contraception | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    Last month, we published a post emphasizing the importance of using contraception even after a vasectomy, as patients are NOT completely sterile immediately following the procedure. Because “a series of follow-up tests is required to first confirm that sperm are no longer present in the patient’s semen,” using some form of birth control in the first few months post-surgery is strongly advised.

    However, a study conducted within the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) found that over half of the study’s couples (57.8%) did NOT use secondary contraception after undergoing a vasectomy postpartum. All couples had recently given birth and had reported a partner vasectomy four months following the live birth. Conducted in 15 states and New York City, the study assessed both the election of post-vasectomy birth control and the method of birth control used.

    Essentially, this means that the 57.8% of couples who chose not to use secondary contraception relied solely on the vasectomy itself as their birth control method. Of the remaining 42.4% who opted for secondary contraception, 50% used condoms, 26.5% used oral contraceptive pills, and 9.5% chose the withdrawal method.

    Based on these results, it seems that doctors and clinics need to better communicate to patients the necessity of secondary contraception in the months immediately following a vasectomy. In order to reduce the chance of unintended pregnancy, it is also important to understand the complexities surrounding why some couples choose not to use secondary contraception, despite being advised to.

    For more info on our vasectomy procedures, please refer to our FAQ page or schedule an Easy VasectomyⓇ consultation.

     

    A Brief History of the Eugenics Movement in America | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    If you haven’t heard of eugenics (meaning “well-born”), it is the study of or belief in societal and scientific intervention to bring about the “fittest” population through means such as forced sterilization, abortions, euthanasia and discriminatory marriage laws. The movement’s intent was to improve the quality of the human population by discouraging reproduction by people with genetic defects or what were thought to be inheritable undesired traits.

    The origin of eugenics in the United States began in 1899 with Albert Ochsner, future Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois. In his published paper Surgical Treatment of Habitual Criminals, Ochsner described a new procedure that sterilized a male subject by cutting his vas deferens, a procedure that became known as a vasectomy. He advocated for the use of vasectomies on criminals, believing that:

  • It would dispense with hereditary criminals from the father’s side
  • Aside from being sterile, the criminal would be unchanged (unlike after castration)
  • It would protect the community at large without harming the criminal

    • The height of the eugenics movement (1920s to mid-20th century) saw compulsory sterilization programs established in over 30 states, resulting in over 60,000 sterilizations of often healthy people. Criminals and prison inmates were especially targeted, as well as those deemed “feeble-minded,” mentally deficient, or simply capable of passing on undesirable genes.

    Planned Parenthood, a global reproductive health care provider, was actually a product of the eugenics movement. Its founder, Margaret Sanger, was a prominent eugenicist who argued that this “new weapon of civilization and freedom” could solve “race problems” and result in “racial regeneration.” This belief in ensuring “racial purity” typically involved laws that aimed to prevent interracial marriage, taking the concept of eugenics and population control another step further.

    If any of this sounds familiar, history’s most infamous admirer of America’s eugenics policies was Adolf Hitler, who modeled the Third Reich after American eugenic institutions. As he expressed in Mein Kampf, Hitler was determined to prevent “defective people” from “propagating equally defective offspring,” a mission that he firmly believed required a systematic execution. In response, the American Eugenics Society issued a statement of praise in 1937 to the Nazi scientists who hoped to cleanse the gene pool.

     

    What Exactly Is a Post-Vasectomy Scrotal Hematoma? | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    While a No-Scalpel Easy Vasectomy® is one of the safest procedures, there are still chances of minor complications, such as bleeding and infection. One potential post-surgery complication is a scrotal hematoma—a collection of blood inside the scrotum—and it occurs in approximately two to five percent of vasectomies.
     

    Symptoms

    Scrotal hematomas typically occur within a few days following a vasectomy procedure. They’re often accompanied by swelling, bruising and pain around the scrotum. The severity of one’s symptoms mainly depends on the size of the hematoma: a small hematoma may not have any symptoms at all or simply cause minimal swelling and discomfort, while a larger hematoma can result in extensive bruising and severe pain. After the swelling reduces, a hematoma generally feels like a hard lump in the scrotum.
     

    Treatment

    If you experience post-vasectomy discomfort such as significant bruising, swelling and unexpectedly intense pain, you may have developed a scrotal hematoma and will need to see your doctor immediately.

    Depending on size, hematomas may gradually resolve on their own after a few weeks, and symptoms should diminish as the hematoma shrinks. Your doctor may recommend pain medications, a scrotal supporter, and hot baths to alleviate discomfort and speed up recovery. Surgical intervention may be necessary in cases of very large hematomas or arterial hematomas.
     

    Prevention

    While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of developing a hematoma after your vasectomy, there are two crucial factors that can potentially help minimize the odds of it occurring.

    Firstly, experience matters. In general, the more vasectomy operations a doctor has performed, the lower the chance of patients developing hematomas. One study found that “the incidence of hematomas was 4.6 percent for physicians performing 1–10 vasectomies annually, 2.4 percent for those performing 11–50 annually, and 1.6 percent for those performing >50 annually.”

    Secondly, the no-scalpel vasectomy technique offers a number of benefits over the traditional vasectomy method, one of those being a lower risk of developing a post-vasectomy hematoma.

     

    Here’s Why Using Birth Control After a Vasectomy Is Crucial | Minnesota

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    Being told to use contraception after undergoing a (hopefully successful) vasectomy may seem counterintuitive, but the patient is NOT completely sterile immediately following the procedure. A series of follow-up tests is required to first confirm that sperm are no longer present in the patient’s semen, a process that can take many weeks. There is also the chance that the vasectomy procedure failed. In either case, patients must err on the side of caution and use birth control during intercourse in the first three months following a vasectomy.
     

    How a Vasectomy Affects Sperm Travel

    Before joining the semen, sperm must first make their way through several tubes, including the two vas deferens. Both vas deferens—one attached to each testicle—are cut during a vasectomy procedure, preventing new sperm made in the testicles from traveling through the vas deferens and being ejaculated.

    Despite the vas deferens being severed, leftover sperm may still remain in the upper part of the vas deferens near the penis. It may take anywhere from 15 to 30 ejaculations before all the leftover sperm are cleared from the tubes, and it’s not uncommon for patients to wait at least three months before becoming completely or nearly sterile. Therefore, it’s important to use birth control during intercourse until your doctor confirms that you are, indeed, free of motile sperm.
     

    What to Expect From Follow-Up Testing

    Your doctor will test your semen approximately 12 weeks after your vasectomy to examine for presence of motile sperm. If test results show that your semen is sperm-free, then the vasectomy was successful, and additional birth control will no longer be necessary. Some patients’ semen may show a small number of non-motile sperm, whereby the risk of pregnancy is very low, and additional birth control may not be needed.

    If follow-up testing shows that sperm are still present in your semen, your doctor will talk to you about your options. This may include further testing, in which case you will need to use some form of contraception during intercourse until you receive the green light that you’re sperm-free. Your doctor may also decide that the chance of pregnancy is low enough that birth control is no longer necessary.
     

    Yes, A Vasectomy Can Fail

    While the failure rate of vasectomies is extremely low, there is still a chance that the procedure fails to make you sterile. A vasectomy failure essentially means that sperm continue to be present in the semen after a notable amount of time has passed following the procedure. This can be due to sperm that existed pre-surgery, or the severed ends of the vas deferens rejoined to form a complete tube (recanalization) and resulted in an increased count of motile sperm.

    If a vasectomy fails, patients can either undergo another vasectomy or continue using a different form of contraception.

     

    The Dos and Don’ts of Preparing for a Vasectomy | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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    So you’ve finally made the decision to go for that vasectomy procedure—congrats! Knowing what’s best for your body and future is the first step, and now it’s time to make sure you’re well-versed in preparing for the surgery. The outcome and success of your vasectomy can depend on how well you prepare yourself pre-surgery, so we’ve compiled a list of essential pre-operation dos and don’ts.
     

    DO

    Do let your doctor know if you’ve undergone previous scrotal surgery.

    Do inform your doctor about any other medications you may be taking.

    Do follow a diet that’s high in antioxidants (fruits and vegetables, whole grains, green tea).

    Do eat a normal breakfast/lunch on the day of your procedure to avoid becoming lightheaded later on.

    Do fully shower and clean the area around the scrotum on the day of your procedure.

    Do shave your genital area if your doctor instructs you to.

    Do arrange for a friend or family member to help drive you home after the surgery. Driving yourself may put pressure on the surgical area.
     

    DON’T

    Don’t take any aspirin, anticoagulants, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve or Advil starting two weeks before your procedure. These medications can thin your blood and cause bleeding afterward.

    Don’t drink alcohol starting 2-3 days before your surgery.

    Don’t shave the scrotum the day before your surgery, as any nicks and cuts will not be fully healed by the next day.

    Don’t apply any lotions, colognes or deodorants prior to surgery.

    Don’t wear any jewelry or piercings to the surgery.

    Don’t bring a jockstrap or athletic supporter to wear post-surgery. Our office will provide you one.

    Don’t forget to sign a consent form before surgery. This is to protect both you and your doctor to ensure that you’re aware of what the operation entails and its potential risks.
     
    For more on how to prepare for your vasectomy, check out our earlier post on how to prepare for an Easy Vasectomy®.

     

    Getting Back Into Exercise & Fitness After a Vasectomy | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Great news—so you underwent a vasectomy, and everything went smoothly. Now, it’s time to talk recovery process, downtime, and the timeline for easing back into your usual activities. For many patients, a regular routine involves some form of fitness and exercise, be it lifting weights at the gym, running, a pick-up basketball game, or biking.

    But returning to your regularly scheduled programming takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, and rushing into strenuous activities too soon can cause extreme pain/discomfort in the surgical area. The key is to regain your fitness routine while being extremely mindful of anything that may cause infection in or reopen the surgical wound. Below is an overall guideline for regaining fitness levels after undergoing a vasectomy:

    Immediately After Surgery

    As soon as you complete a vasectomy procedure, you should not engage in any form of physical activity for 48 hours. This includes any form of exercise, sports, sexual activity, prolonged periods of standing, or even walking. Try to stay off your feet as much as possible, and follow care instructions provided by your doctor. Just turn on Netflix, ice the surgical area if you prefer, and rest. That’s it.

    First Week After Surgery

    In the 3-7 days following surgery, you can gradually increase your amount of physical activity ONLY if necessary. Rigorous exercise and sports should still be avoided, and do not lift objects (and babies!) heavier than 20 pounds.

    If you feel fine after approximately four days and aren’t experiencing any discomfort/pain, walking or light exercises are allowed. Avoid anything more intense like weight-lifting, running, or biking, as this can cause significant build-up in pressure in the treated area. Furthermore, biking puts pressure on the penis and could hinder the healing process.

    Two Weeks After Surgery

    After two weeks of downtime, most men are able to resume their usual workouts (except extreme heavy lifting…more on that below). Non-contact sports such as golfing, bowling, tennis, and biking are allowed, but again, be extra aware of any pain or swelling. Stop activities immediately if aching occurs.

    3+ Weeks After Surgery

    While three or more weeks sounds like an excruciatingly long period of downtime, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Contact sports such as football, boxing, wrestling, hockey, basketball, martial arts, etc should not be resumed for at least three weeks after surgery.

    **ATTENTION, WEIGHT LIFTERS: Wait at least four weeks before attempting heavy weights in low-repetition sets. Stick to lighter weights for now, as intense spurts of heavy lifting can significantly build up pressure in the surgical area and lead to massive internal bleeding in the scrotum. Not fun.

    Ultimately, follow your doctor’s guidance on what is appropriate for your post-surgery timeline. Keep a close eye on signs of pain, swelling, and discomfort and judge your fitness abilities accordingly. In the event of any unpleasant side effects due to exercise, contact your physician immediately.

    18 Vasectomy Facts | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    • factsA vasectomy is one of the most popular forms of contraception in the United States and worldwide. Each year, more than half million men in the US choose to get a vasectomy.
    • The No Scalpel Vasectomy procedure was developed in the early 1970s in China. About 50 million No-Scalpel Vasectomies have been performed around the world.
    • The introduction of no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy has successfully allayed many men’s fears with regard to the needle and scalpel.
    • Vasectomies are nearly 100 percent effective, the failure rate is estimated to be one out of every 2000 if 3 steps of occlusion is used during vasectomy:
      1. cuts the vas deferens
      2. destroys the lining of the tube
      3. places small titanium clips (or sutures) in the vas fascia to separate the opened ends of vas deferens.
    • They don’t reduce a man’s sexual drive, virility, or ability to have or enjoy sex.
    • Most vasectomies are done in the doctors’ offices. A No-Scalpel Vasectomy takes only about 10 minutes.
    • Most patients can go back to work in two days.
    • Non-scalpel vasectomy is very safe office procedure. The incidence of complications from a vasectomy is very low due to minimal invasive non-scalpel technique.
    • Sterilization for a man (vasectomy) is significantly less expensive than for a woman (tubal ligation), which may be up to five times more costly. A vasectomy can cost between $700 and $2,000. There may be little or no cost to you since most health care insurance programs cover vasectomies.
    • A vasectomy has very little effect on ejaculate itself. Semen consists of sperm, fluid from the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland. Sperm is the only thing missing from the ejaculate, so removing them has little or no effect on the volume (2-5 percent ),, appearance, color, or consistency.

    Limitations of Vasectomy:

    • Not 100% reversible
    • Must use other forms of birth-control for three months until sperm-free.
    • Does not prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).

    Advantages of Vasectomy…

    • Low one-time expense often covered by insurance companies
    • More dependable than any other form of contraception including female sterilization.
    • Eliminates risks associated with birth control pills or shots and the IUD.
    • Vasectomy reversals are less costly and more successful than tubal ligation reversals (see Vasectomy Reversal).
    • No need for inconvenient and less dependable methods, so there are…

      • no more worries!!!!

    No Scapel Vasectomy Versus Other Birth Control Options | Minnesota

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    spermAll birth control methods work the best if used correctly and every time you have sex. Your choice of birth-control method is a personal one and depends on a number of variables, including short or long-term family planning, personal health, associated risks, failure rate and cost.

    The vasectomy is one of the lowest failure rates among the birth control methods. The study showed the traditional vasectomy failure rate is 1-3 per 1000 cases; the failure rate would be less than 1 per 20000 in no scalpel vasectomy with the fascia clipping technique.

    Dr. Shu uses 3 steps to insure complete occlusion: he cuts the vas deferens and destroys the lining of the tube on upper end with cautery (scarring it) and places small titanium clips (or sutures) in the vas fascia to separate the opened ends of vas deferens. The lower end keeps open without cauterization (open-ended technique). The vas deferens are then placed back into the scrotum in its normal anatomic position.

    Birth Control Methods Comparison

    Contraception Cost Failure Rate Duration Availability Advantages Disadvantages
    Condom <10 18% one time OTC prevent STIs; no hormonal side effects local reaction & breakage
    Vasectomy $700 – $2000 0.2% Permanent Office procedure No effect on hormones and sex drive No protection in the first 3 months, Surgical side effects
    Female Condom $2-$4 21% one time OTC prevent STIs; use during menstruation local reaction & breakage
    Spermicide $5-$10 28% one time OTC Lubricate, use with other BCP forms local reaction
    Sponge $3-$5 24% Up to 24h OTC Lasts 24 hours Local effects and infections
    Diaphragm $50-$300 5-20% Reusable Prescription Lasts 24 hours, reusable Insert challenging,local reaction
    Cervical cap $50-$75 14-30% 48-72 hours, reusable Prescription Protect 48-72 hours Abnormal Pap smear, local reaction & infection
    Birth Control Pill $15-$50/month 9% A month Prescription Regulate menstruation; reduce cramps and ovarian cysts Take daily, weight changes, and medical /risks/side effects*
    Vaginal ring $15-80/month 9% Wear monthly Prescription Regulate menstruation; reduce cramps and ovarian cysts Weight changes and medical risks/side effects*
    Contraceptive Patch $15-80/month 9% A month, replace weekly Prescription Regulate menstruation; reduce cramps and ovarian cysts Weight changes and medical risks/side effects*
    Birth Control shot $35-75/injection 6% 3 months doctor’s visit 4 shots/year; reduces menstrual cramps and the risk of ovarian cysts/cancer and PID Take up to 8 months to return; medical risks/side effects*
    Intrauterine device (IUD) $500-$1000 1% 5-12 years Doctor’s visit immediately effective Migrates, ovarian cysts, PID, and ectopic pregnancy
    Hormone Implants $400-$800 1% 3 yearse Doctor’s visit reduce menstrual flow, cramping, and PID office procedure, local reaction, Medical side effects**
    Tubal Ligation $1500-$6000 1% Permanent Outpatient surgery Permanent and immediate; does not impact sex drive More invasive, complicated than vasectomy, surgical side effect
    Essure $1500-6000 1% Permanent Outpatient surgery Less invasive than tubal ligation 3 months to take effect; side effects:cramping,irregular menstrual cycle, GI reaction, and infection

    * Medical risks and side effects: may increase risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, heart attack, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety; may decrease sex drive; other side effects include weight gain, breast lumps, and hair loss or excessive growth.

    **Medical risks and side effects: can cause loss of bone density and sex drive, and mood swings, weight gain, breast and abdominal pain, and allergic reaction.

    References: Birth Control Guide. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health.

    How Long After a Vasectomy Will the Patients Become Completely Sterile? | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    The patients in Minnesota offer ask how long after a vasectomy they become completely sterile and how they can get cleared faster for unprotected sex after a vasectomy. This blog will address these two questions.

    Every man produces the sperms that are reabsorbed back into the body. In fact, it is estimated that up to 50% of sperms a man produces is reabsorbed. Sperm travels to the epididymis for storage and maturing. While maturing in the epididymis, some sperms die and break down and reabsorbed through the membranes of tubules by macrophages.

    Sperm continues to be produced in the testicles after the procedure. The sperm continue to be stored in the epididymis and are eventually dissolved and absorbed by the body. With the increase of stagnant sperms, the membranes of the epididymis increase in size to absorb more liquid. The immune system increases the amount of macrophages to handle an increase of solid waste.

    The life cycle of sperm is 63 days. 80% of men will be sterile after 15 ejaculations or 6 weeks after a vasectomy. By 10 weeks, 85% of men will have no sperm in the ejaculate. Therefore, a safe time period to say would be approximately 3 months (12 weeks) after vasectomy with about 20 ejaculations.

    It is important to have a semen analysis after vasectomy to confirm absence of live sperm before stopping contraception. Keep in mind, there is a small chance of re-canalization even after no sperm is seen after 12 weeks.

    Should the patients be ejaculating a lot in order to clean the pipes out? That’s what some doctors recommended.

    The policy in our clinic is that all patients need to do semen analysis in 3 months after vasectomy with about 20 ejaculations.

    Male Birth Control: The 3 most promising new methods | Minnesota

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    Traditionally, us guys don’t have a lot of options when it comes to contraception. There’s condoms, vasectomies, “pulling out”, and that’s about it. However, all of these methods have major setbacks. Condoms take a while to put on and can kill the mood. Vasectomies are convenient, but are not reversible without invasive surgery. And pulling out, well, is the hallmark of bad decision making.

    Every now and then, there are headlines that give hope to all the men looking to avoid children in their lives. Like the Italian guy who invented a magical “switch” implant that is now on permanent hiatus. Headlines like those, which never seem to go anywhere.

    Luckily, there are some new options in development for these men.

    Gel contraceptive

    This form of male birth control is closest to being put on the market. Called Nestorone-Testosterone, the gel contains two hormones, testosterone and progestin. The key ingredient here is the progestin, a synthetic version of the female sex hormone progesterone, which shuts down testosterone production by suppressing the gonadotropin hormones. Lower testosterone means lower sperm production, which means a lower chance of pregnancy.

    Of course messing with hormones can have very negative consequences, which is why the gel contains some testosterone to ensure levels are not too low, which can cause low libido and delayed ejaculation.

    A study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and human development revealed that 90% of men who used the gel had a sperm concentration lower than one million per milliliter, which is low enough to prevent pregnancy with minimal side effects.

    Still, there is a long road to go. Right now trails are being performed on 420 couples around globe- if successful, the contraceptive could move onto the next stage, which involves trials on an even larger scale. It might be another ten years- but it’s a start.

    Birth Control Pill

    The problem with male BC pills is the short half life of sperm-suppressing hormones, meaning the drug decays very quickly, and so do its effects. However, a new study featuring an experimental male BC pill seems to show promise.

    Dimethandrolone undecanoate, or DMAU, is a drug that works in a similar way to the gel contraceptive. Like the gel, it contains both testosterone and progestin. While its effectiveness and reducing sperm count is still unknown, the trials show that the drug is safe to take every day for a month, with minimal side effects.

    Researchers at the UCLA and University of Washington are beginning a joint study that tests the efficacy of a DMAU injection, which could work several months at a time, which would be more convenient and more similar to injectable female birth control methods.

    RISUG

    RISUG, which I have written about previously, is a promising new procedure that is like an advanced form of vasectomy. The method was pioneered by biomedical engineer Sujoy Guha from the Indian Institute of Technology, and involves injecting a gel into the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm to the semen), preventing sperm flow without affecting production or hormone levels. Unlike a vasectomy, this process is (theoretically) easily reversible, requiring only one other injection to dissolve the block. This avoids the inconvenience and possible failure of a vasectomy reversal, which is like stitching together the ends of two wet noodles. Not to mention, it’ll be a lot cheaper

    It will be a considerable amount of time before this product hits the US market. The rights to the technology have been sold to the Parsemus Foundation, a nonprofit based in California, but there are unfortunately no human trials coming in the near future.

    Regardless, we can expect to see many of these inventive new technologies in pop up in the next decade or two. Adoption of new birth control methods could mean a major reduction in unplanned pregnancies, especially in more developed countries as birth controls cheaper and more convenient worldwide.

    Challenges of the Difficult Vasectomies | Minnesota

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    Easy VasectomyⓇ is a minimal invasive office procedure with no scalpel, no needle and no stitches techniques, and it takes less than 10 minuets. Dr. Shu performs about 400 vasectomies every year, some of them could be very challenging.

    The common reasons of the difficult vasectomies:

    1. Large scrotum with obesity
    2. Tight and thick skin with small scrotum
    3. Short Vas Deferens
    4. Small size of Vas Deferens
    5. Previous history of scrotum surgeries
    6. Scrotum with hydrocele, hernia or other diseases

    Dr.Shu has extensive experience of doing no scalpel vasectomy, and he loves to do the challenging vasectomies. He has never referred any vasectomy patients out. Dr.Shu has never had a chance to tell any vasectomy patients that they need general anesthesia because he always can finish it under the local anesthesia regardless how difficult it is.

    Yesterday, we had a vasectomy case with the hydrocele and extensive scars inside the left scrotum. Dr.Shu successfully performed it although it did take extra 10 minutes to do it. He was telling the patients that, during his vasectomy missions trips in Haiti, some Haitian patients with huge hydroceles were much more challenging ones.

    Here is the testimonial published by one of our patients with the difficult vasectomy last month.

    “I highly recommend Dr. Shu and the EZ Vasectomy. It is refreshing to have a clinic that takes the patient experience into consideration. Everything from scheduling, to the follow up sample testing is done in a way that puts value on my time and makes it easy for me. Not to mention I received a consultation from a urologist before I saw Dr. Shu. They recommended general anesthesia that would have come at a $6,000+ cost to me plus the extra recovery time from the more invasive procedure. Dr. Shu was able to complete the procedure in 7 minutes with local anesthesia at 10% of the cost. For the recovery, I was able to function like normal, just took it a little easy for 2 days. I wouldn’t even call it a painful recovery. A sunburn is more painful than the recovery I experienced.”

    If you are told by any urologists or family physicians that

    1. You are a very difficult vasectomy case, or
    2. You need a sub-specialist to do it in the operating room, or
    3. You need to be done under general anesthesia in the hospital.

    Please come to the Procedure Clinic and try Dr.Shu’s vasectomy skills. You will be surprised to know that how much time and money you will save, and how much pain and suffering from vasectomy can be avoided or reduced. Easy VasectomyⓇ is your choice!

    General Information on Vasectomy Cost | Minnesota

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    Vasectomy costs are usually affordable and often covered under health insurance plans in Minnesota. Typically, vasectomy costs will be in the range of $900 to $2000 in Minneapolis and St Paul areas, the suggested price range of a vasectomy includes your initial consultation, vasectomy procedure, and post semen analyses. The price can fluctuate based on where you live in Minnesota, the method of procedure, and other variables. Some clinics will include all of these in one price, while many may charge for each individually, so make sure to inquire about the price of consultation and post-op analysis when looking for potential doctors. In most cases, the cost is the same for the no-scalpel vasectomy or a conventional vasectomy.

    Vasectomy costs may differ depending on where the procedure takes place. Getting one at a doctor’s office under local anesthesia is usually the cheapest, as hospitals or surgical centers, while still a valid option, may cost more due to anesthesia or facility fees. Vasectomy in men is significantly less expensive than tubal ligation in women, which may be as much as five times more costly. Generally, this is because tubal ligation is a more complex surgery, performed in a hospital or surgery center and requiring a general anesthesia. A vasectomy is simpler, safer office procedure.

    Health insurance companies in Minnesota often cover vasectomy costs, but you should check it to make sure that your insurance company includes vasectomy benefits. Within the same company, some plans may cover and others may not. (Dr. Shu is a contracted provider under many plans offered by, among others, the following companies: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Medica, Preferred one, Select Care/Laborcare, United Healthcare.)

    Your exact out-of-pocket cost will depend on your plan’s: , Co-payment, deductible, and coinsurance.

    In addition, vasectomies are often a qualified health savings account (HSA) expense. If your insurance plan won’t pay for the procedure and you contribute to an HSA, you may be able to get reimbursed that way.

    If you don’t have medical insurance or you have high deductible, One Stop Medical Center is your best choice since we charge very affordable price ($690 only) for the self-pay patients.

    Why Procedure Clinic for Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversal procedures | Minnesota

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    1. No-scalpel and no needle technique that only requires one micro incision, which minimizes trauma, pain, and risk of complications, and it allayed many men’s fears with regard to the scalpel and needle

    2. Local anesthesia: Not having to use general anesthesia or IV sedation greatly reduces the risks associated with it.

    3. High success rate: The success rates of our operations are up there with the best, thanks to the extensive past surgical experience and high volume practice.

    4. High quality, personalized medical care: Being in an office allows for a more personal, patient oriented approach. Our team of professional and friendly staff go the extra mile to ensure patient satisfaction.

    5. Enjoy an accredited, private surgical center with a premium clinic environment.

    6. Affordability: At $690 for a vasectomy and $2741, an all inclusive price, for a vasectomy reversal, our prices are only a fraction of the cost of the same procedure done in a hospital or public surgical center. We do not charge facility fees or anesthesia fees.

    7. Website: Our website is full of information and resources for prospective patients. For those that want to learn more about the procedures, our practice, and our mission, our site is the right place to be!

    8. Online Registration: Using online registration makes scheduling appointments convenient and easy!

    9. We offer consultations on the same day as the surgery and the phone consultation.

    10. One trip system: An initial face-to-face consultation is no longer required. We also developed a mailer system to eliminate another trip for patients. This is especially good for those that live far away or out-of-state.

    11. Only 10 Minutes from the Minneaplios-St Paul airport (MSP)

    12. Located in the famous high end town of Edina, France Avenue is enriched with hospitals, medical offices, commercial and business centers, as well as hotels.

    Why Should You Get No-scalpel Vasectomy Instead of Tubal Ligation | Minnesota

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    There are a lot of people out there that are trying not to have kids. In fact, there are so many people trying not to have kids that there’s a global market worth tens of billions of dollars. These include condoms, the pill, spermicide, IUDs, diaphragms, implants, and many more. Most of these are very effective, but none of them are permanent, and they are subject to human errors (e.g. forgot to take the pill, forgot a condom, incorrect diaphragm placement). Hormonal birth controls often cause a myriad of side effects for women, including menstrual pain, acne, nausea, weight gain, decreased libido, vaginal discharge, mood changes, and the list goes on.

    For couples that do not wish to have kids in the future, what options are available? Well, there are two main forms of permanent birth control: vasectomy and tubal ligation.

    If you’re reading this, you probably already know what a vasectomy is. But in case you don’t, vasectomy is a procedure in which the tube that transports sperm from the vas deferens to the urethra, the vas deferens, is surgically severed and the ends are blocked off, preventing any sperm from entering the semen. Vasectomies are permanent procedures, so it will last your entire life, though they are reversible depending on the time passed since the vasectomy. If you’re considering a vasectomy it’s important to be absolutely sure that you want it.

    The refined no-scalpel Easy Vasectomy® with no needle and no suture techniques minimizes trauma, pain and complications. New and minimal invasive vasectomy techniques have successfully allayed many men’s fears with regard to the scalpel.

    In a tubal ligation, often known as “having your tubes tied”, the doctor will sever and block off the fallopian tubes which transport the egg from the ovaries to the uterus. Like vasectomy, it is a permanent procedure. Either of these options will prevent a baby from entering your life, but which is the better options?

    If you guessed vasectomy, you’re completely right. For one, tubal ligation is far more labor intensive and invasive. A surgeon must make two small cuts in the abdomen and use what is called a laparoscope to severe and close up the ends of the fallopian tubes. A tubal ligation must be done in the hospital, may require several hours or an overnight stay in the hospital, while a vasectomy can be done in the office in under 10 minutes. Most men can return to work within 48 hours but women who undergo tubal ligation may require four to seven days. Not to mention that tubal ligation costs at least $5,000 to $8,500 on average.

    Side effects and complications are also more likely with tubal ligation. This includes nausea, vomiting, infection, bleeding, bruising and side effects from anesthesia. With vasectomies, especially no-scalpel vasectomies, there are minimal side effects (mild pain and bruising) and complications such as hematoma and infection are exceedingly rare, since the procedure is minimally invasive. The failure rate is 0.02%-0.2% for vasectomy while the failure rate for tubal ligation is 0.73%-1.85%. Despite this two thirds of couples still opt for the tubal ligation.

    While both of these methods are effective, it’s clear that vasectomies are safer, quicker, more convenient, and less costly than a tubal ligation. In our patriarchal society we often place much of the responsibility of birth control on the woman’s shoulder, despite the fact that doing so is less ideal. It’s time we make a change.

    Sexual changes post-vasectomy | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    One of the reasons many men are hesitant to undergo a vasectomy is fear of reduced sexual function. It’s definitely not unreasonable by any means- most men value their sexual ability highly. After all, vasectomies are ultimately a form of sexual contraception for men. So, does undergoing vasectomy affect sexual function?

    In a survey done by Dr. Doug Stein, vasectomy patients from an secure database were asked to rate their sex drive, ability to obtain and maintain erections, stiffness of erection, strength of orgasm, semen volume, and frequency of testicular discomfort compared to prior the vasectomy. 119 responses were obtained. The table below outlines the results:

    Since your vasectomy, how have the following changed? Much Less Slightly Less No Change Slightly More Much More
    Sex Drive (Libido) <1 (1%) 6 (6%) 81 (75%) 18 (15%) 4 (4%)
    Ability to obtain and maintain erections 1 (1%) 6 (6%) 96 (89%) 5 (5%) 0
    Rigidity (stiffness) of erections 1 (1%) 5 (5%) 94 87%) 7 (6%) 1 (1%)
    Strength of orgasm (climax) sensation 0 3 (3%) 95 (88%) 6 (6%) 4 (4%)
    Semen volume (the amount of fluid that comes out when you ejaculate) 0 17 (16%) 80 (75%) 7 (7%) 2 (2%)

    The majority of those that responded to the survey reported no change in sexual function, which is expected. Detrimental effects to sex drive, erections are incredibly rare. In these cases, it’s probably the vasectomy that caused the effects, and it could be psychological. Vasectomy only prevents sperm from entering the semen- the other functions of the testicles which regulate sexual drive are not affected. Likewise, those that reported higher sex drive, stronger orgasms, stiffer erections, etc, were probably not linked directly to vasectomy, as there is no physical reason for vasectomies to effect these things. Most likely, it was a result of no longer having to worry about the fear of pregnancy.

    Sperm Banking | Minnesota

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    Around 500,000 vasectomies are performed a year in the United States. For many men in the US, vasectomy is the most effective method of contraceptive due to its permanent, hands-off nature. However, it’s not uncommon for people have regrets when it comes to permanent procedures such as vasectomy. Maybe you remarried and want more kids, or maybe you decided that living child-free wasn’t for you after all.

    Vasectomy reversals are very effective (~97%) when performed within three years of the initial vasectomy. This drops to 91% from three to eight years, 82% from nine to fourteen years, and 69% beyond fourteen years. For those who decide that they want kids much later in life after a vasectomy, there’s some uncertainty as to how effective it might be. One way around this is sperm banking.

    The role of a sperm bank is to take healthy sperm and freeze it in a process called cryopreservation. The sperm is stored at very low temperatures, around -196 degrees. Once frozen, sperm can be stored almost indefinitely, though it may not be as effective after 12 years depending on how it was frozen.

    Before freezing, a sample of the semen is analyzed to determine the quality of sperm. If the sperm count and motility is good, it will be divided into batches and frozen. One ejaculation is about 1-6 vials of frozen sperm, and most opt to save multiple ejaculations. This process costs $500-700, and storage is about $300-$1000 per year.

    When it’s time to use the frozen sperm, the patient notifies the bank, who release it to the patients physician. The sperm can also be destroyed or donated. The sperm can then be used for artificial insemination, where the sperm is transferred to the uterus in a process called intrauterine insemination (IUI).

    A vasectomy is one of the best ways to prevent pregnancy without sacrificing physical well being and sexual pleasure. Because it’s permanent, its probably a good idea to have a back up plan. A vasectomy reversal is usually very effective but as time goes on, its effectiveness goes down. Sperm banking is a viable, if costly, alternative that allows one to save their sperm for future use should a vasectomy reversal prove to be impossible.

    Why don’t More Men in the World Get Vasectomies? | Minnesota

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    Vasectomies have the potential to be a powerful tool to curb population. By nature, they serve as a more effective, long-term solution than other methods of contraception. The procedure is a one time ordeal, as opposed using a condom or birth control pill, and avoids the negative side effects of hormonal birth control for women while have very few side effects itself. This could be especially effective in areas with low resources that have poor access to other contraceptives. However, despite being the most effective form of male contraception, only 2.4% of men use vasectomy worldwide. Why are vasectomies so unpopular? And how can we change that?

    For one, many people are simply uninformed about vasectomy as a birth control method. Studies of vasectomy awareness in Ethiopian, Nigerian, and Turkish men and women range from a lowest of 15.6% to highest of 39.6%. This extends to doctors as well- many care providers in low resource areas are not well informed about vasectomy, and do not provide the service. This lack of awareness is a major barrier to making vasectomy a more popular form of birth control.

    Another reason is negative attitudes toward vasectomy. Surveys showed that some participants felt that a vasectomy results in a loss of masculinity, or that they would be judged by others if they found out about the procedure. In India, men felt that a vasectomy would make them subservient to their wife, and that female sterilization is preferred because men contribute more economically (note that tubal ligation is far more invasive, costly, and dangerous that a vasectomy). These attitudes ultimately stem from deeply ingrained sexism. Getting rid of these erroneous notions would go a long way in making vasectomy more prevalent. In Africa, 0.1% of men have undergone vasectomies. Myths and misconceptions stop African men from going for a vasectomy, and vasectomy is often associated with de-masculinisation, framing it in terms of castration.

    One of the most effective ways of both increasing awareness and correcting negative attitudes toward vasectomy is through education, both within the community and through mass communications. Programs such as the ACQUIRE Project’s “Get a Permanent Smile” campaign sought to address myths regarding vasectomies in low resource areas in Bangladesh and Ghana through posters, radio and television broadcasts. These types of campaigns are quite effective, and have been shown to cause spikes in demands for vasectomies.

    Employer based promotion is another method of making vasectomies more popular. Once again education is key here. In one Indian study, employees from several workplaces were allowed to attend educational workshops on long acting birth control methods. Companies also trained health coordinators, provided health service desks, and providing a family planning hotline. Participants were reportedly more likely to discuss family planning, as well as make the switch from short-term contraceptives to long term ones. Incentivising employers to provide such services to their employees would encourage more men to get a vasectomy.

    Vasectomies have been sorely underutilized as a form of contraception. It may be a long road ahead before worldwide adoption of vasectomy as a birth control method is reached, but as information becomes more widely available, more men will opt for vasectomies.

    Risks of NOT Getting a Vasectomy | Minnesota

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    A lot of men worry about the risks of getting a vasectomy. If you’re reading this you might be one of them. It’s only natural – the decision to get a vasectomy is not one to be taken lightly. You’ve probably spent hours googling things like “how long will I be out of work vasectomy” or “vasectomy pain” or “vasectomy recovery time” But have you ever considered the risks of not getting a vasectomy?

    If you’re not planning on having another a child, and I mean really, really not planning to have a child, you have to ask whether the risks and possible consequences of using reversible forms of contraception outweigh the benefits of pregnancy. Hint: it doesn’t.

    If we’re just talking about the man’s health, it’s better to just not get a vasectomy. But by not getting a vasectomy, you accept all the risks and burdens associated with pregnancy and childbirth, most of which are put on your partner’s shoulders.

    “But what if I use other contraception?” Well, sure. But if you’re having any kind of sex, there is always an inherent risk. Yeah, condoms work. But maybe, one night you’ve had a little too much wine and suddenly not using condom seems like a better and better idea. With a vasectomy that’s not a problem.

    Other birth control methods have their own problems. Hormonal birth control often results in adverse reactions, including abdominal discomfort, weight gain, menstrual irregularity, decreased libido, headaches, edema, vaginal dryness, rash, fatigue, dizziness, and many more that vary depending on the birth control. Not to mention the failure rate- Nuvaring has a 9% failure rate. The patch has an 8% failure rate with typical use. The shot? 5%. Birth control pills is 0.3% with perfect use, but because it’s so easy to forget it’s 8% in reality.

    Now let’s say you decide to use contraception and it does fail. Here are the risks of surgical abortion:

    – Infection of the womb: One in ten abortions
    – Some of the pregnancy left in womb: one in twenty abortions
    – Continuation of pregnancy: Less than 1% of abortions
    – damage to cervix: one in one hundred abortions
    – Excessive bleeding: one in one thousand abortions

    That’s not including the emotional and psychological trauma of having an abortion.

    Now, if you do decide to go through with having the baby, you’re putting a lot of risk on your partner. Pregnancy can result in:

    – Hypertension: 6-8% of pregnancies
    – Preeclampsia: 2-6% of pregnancies
    – Ectopic pregnancy: 2% of pregnancies
    – Miscarriage: 10-20% of pregnancies
    – Gestational Diabetes: 2-10% of pregnancies
    – Rupture of the uterus: 1-8% of pregnancies
    – Severe vomiting: 20% of pregnancies
    – Uterine rupture: Less than 1% of pregnancies
    – Hyperthyroidism: 2.5% of pregnancies

    None of these conditions are fun. Of course, then comes childbirth:

    – Vaginal and perineal laceration: Majority of pregnancies
    – Puerperal infection: 1-8% of pregnancies
    – Fecal/Urinary incontinence: 28% of pregnancies
    – Post partum depression: 10-20% of pregnancies
    – Post partum hemorrhage: 18% of pregnancies
    – Stretch marks
    – Hemorrhoids
    – Mastitis
    – Clogged Ducts
    – Kidney infections

    And that’s not even the entire list. Then of course, if your pregnancy comes to term and you successfully have a child, you now have an entire human being to raise for the next two decades.

    Or, you could just get a vasectomy.

    Birth Control Comparison Chart | Minnesota

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    All birth control methods work the best if used correctly and every time you have sex. Your choice of birth-control method is a personal one and depends on a number of variables, including short or long-term family planning, personal health, associated risks, failure rate and cost.

    The vasectomy is one of the lowest failure rates among the birth control methods. The study showed the traditional vasectomy failure rate is 1-3 per 1000 cases; the failure rate would be less than 1 per 20000 in no scalpel vasectomy with the fascia clipping technique.

    Birth Control Methods Comparison

    Contraception Cost Failure Rate Duration Availability Advantages Disadvantages
    Condom <10 18% one time OTC prevent STIs; no hormonal side effects local reaction & breakage
    Vasectomy $700 – $2000 0.2% Permanent Office procedure No effect on hormones and sex drive No protection in the first 3 months, Surgical side effects
    Female Condom $2-$4 21% one time OTC prevent STIs; use during menstruation local reaction & breakage
    Spermicide $5-$10 28% one time OTC Lubricate, use with other BCP forms local reaction
    Sponge $3-$5 24% Up to 24h OTC Lasts 24 hours Local effects and infections
    Diaphragm $50-$300 5-20% Reusable Prescription Lasts 24 hours, reusable Insert challenging,local reaction
    Cervical cap $50-$75 14-30% 48-72 hours, reusable Prescription Protect 48-72 hours Abnormal Pap smear, local reaction & infection
    Birth Control Pill $15-$50/month 9% A month Prescription Regulate menstruation; reduce cramps and ovarian cysts Take daily, weight changes, and medical /risks/side effects*
    Vaginal ring $15-80/month 9% Wear monthly Prescription Regulate menstruation; reduce cramps and ovarian cysts Weight changes and medical risks/side effects*
    Contraceptive Patch $15-80/month 9% A month, replace weekly Prescription Regulate menstruation; reduce cramps and ovarian cysts Weight changes and medical risks/side effects*
    Birth Control shot $35-75/injection 6% 3 months doctor’s visit 4 shots/year; reduces menstrual cramps and the risk of ovarian cysts/cancer and PID Take up to 8 months to return; medical risks/side effects*
    Intrauterine device (IUD) $500-$1000 1% 5-12 years Doctor’s visit immediately effective Migrates, ovarian cysts, PID, and ectopic pregnancy
    Hormone Implants $400-$800 1% 3 yearse Doctor’s visit reduce menstrual flow, cramping, and PID office procedure, local reaction, Medical side effects**
    Tubal Ligation $1500-$6000 1% Permanent Outpatient surgery Permanent and immediate; does not impact sex drive More invasive, complicated than vasectomy, surgical side effect
    Essure $1500-6000 1% Permanent Outpatient surgery Less invasive than tubal ligation 3 months to take effect; side effects:cramping,irregular menstrual cycle, GI reaction, and infection

    * Medical risks and side effects: may increase risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, heart attack, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety; may decrease sex drive; other side effects include weight gain, breast lumps, and hair loss or excessive growth.

    **Medical risks and side effects: can cause loss of bone density and sex drive, and mood swings, weight gain, breast and abdominal pain, and allergic reaction.

    References: Birth Control Guide. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health.

    Three vasectomy myths debunked | Minnesota

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    Myth #1: A vasectomy will hurt:

    It’s very natural to be afraid of pain, especially down there. Take a breath of relief, as vasectomy isn’t painful! local anesthesia is used, completely numbing the area. Mild pain or discomfort may be reported for a couple of days after the procedure, but it’s nothing most people can’t handle. Based on the vasectomy clinic survey, 50% vasectomy patient didn’t take any pain medications; 25% patients didn’t have pain, but they decided to take Tylenol; another 25% patients felt more pain and took Tylenol. This fear is temporary, and so is pain- it’s not a reason to refuse a vasectomy, which can have lifelong benefits to a man. You should take some time to think clearly when deciding to get a vasectomy, and not have your judgement clouded by fear.

    Myth #2: Loss of masculinity:

    Some people have this mistaken notion receiving a vasectomy will make them less of a man. This couldn’t be farther than the truth. There is no evidence that vasectomy decreases libido or change hormone levels in men. Men are still able to ejaculate and maintain erections after the procedure. You will not become more feminine if receive a vasectomy. Perhaps there is this sentiment that being infertile makes one less of a man, which comes purely from antiquated ideas surrounding masculinity. In fact, most women report greater sexual satisfaction with their partner after a vasectomy. When deciding whether or not a vasectomy is right for you, don’t be afraid of losing your masculinity.

    Myth #3: Being out of work:

    Luckily, modern vasectomy is not a very invasive procedure, especially with new No-scalpel Easy vasectomy®. Traditional vasectomy does have a long recovery time due to its bilateral big incisions and stitches, but no-scalpel vasectomy involves making a small hole instead of a large incision, and the vas deferens are pulled and severed through the hole. Because of how non-invasive this procedure is, the recovery time is very short- most people can return to work in two days, and exhibit a full recovery in one week.

    A vasectomy is a big life decision, and not one that should be made lightly. However, many of the worries you may have regarding vasectomies are not worries at all. We hope this blog post has given you some insight into your choice.

    Age Restrictions on Vasectomies | Minnesota

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    While there are no laws expressly forbidding vasectomies to certain age groups, even for individuals under 18 with parental consent, federal programs providing financial aid require that recipients are at least 21 years of age and mentally capable of making that decision. Many doctors, such as myself, will not provide vasectomies for men under 21 with no children with an exception to those with specific health circumstances or those who clearly cannot raise children due to impairment. Other vasectomy providers may follow a different or more restrictive set of guidelines, as is their prerogative.

    Even for those who qualify, undergoing vasectomy is a huge decision for anyone. A few considerations for men, especially those under 30, seeking a vasectomy:

    While it may seem like a good idea now, you may want children in the future, especially if you are young. People can change many times throughout their lives. Even if you don’t, your partner may change and desire children someday.

    Currently, vasectomy reversals can be quite effective, but the later you wait the lower the chances of success are. There is technology that could potentially change this in the near future, but for the time being, it’s no guarantee a reversal will successful after a long period of time, which is often the case for young men who receive vasectomies.

    Lots of relationships end. The “over 50% of marriages end in divorce” statistic is inflated due to serial divorcers, but in the end many relationships are a gamble. When a relationship ends and you find a new partner, you may find yourself wanting children once again.

    Despite the existence of vasectomy reversals, vasectomies should be considered permanent as the success of a reversal is not guaranteed.

    Young men should consider Sperm Storage, and very young men should discuss your decision with your parents. You’re legally an adult, yes, but they helped you get there.

    Free Large Pizza for the Vasectomy Patients on 11/17/2017, 5th World Vasectomy Day | Minnesota

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    On November 17th, World Vasectomy Day, the largest male-focused family planning event in history with over 1,200 providers in 50+ countries, takes the world on a historic 24-hour vasectomy-athon organized out of our headquarters in Mexico. We will e-travel from country to country conversing with vasectomy providers, advocates for male involvement in family planning and the men who choose a vasectomy as an act of love. WVD kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on November 16 with a joint ceremony taking place in Mexico City and on the island nation of Kiribati (where it will be 10 a.m. on Friday, November 17th). With conversations, live vasectomies and dozens of films, and in partnership with DKT Mexico, DKT International and the Centro Nacional de Equidad de Genero y Salud Reproductiva (National Center for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health), we will explore the current state of male involvement in family planning, learn about global efforts to make vasectomies accessible and celebrate men everywhere who have made the heroic decision to care for their families, communities and our planet. Join us!

    It might seem odd to dedicate an entire day to vasectomies, but for Dr. Shu and the other 1,200 doctors participating in World Vasectomy Day on November 17, it’s an important event that spreads awareness on the most effective but underutilized methods of contraception: the vasectomy.

    With industrialization and modern medicine making it safer and easier to give birth and raise children, the world population has skyrocketed- current projections predict the world population will plateau at 11 billion. High population puts a strain on resources like food, medicine, and energy. In many areas of the world that are seeing rapid population growth, sexual education and medical resources have not caught up to other areas in society. Vasectomies are excellent for family planning in areas that are not well developed and do not have the resources that most of us take for granted.

    This will be Dr. Shu’s 5th year participating in the event, and the One Stop Medical Center will offer free large pizza.

    Dr. Shu Performed 50 No-scalpel Vasectomies During His 2017 Haiti Mission | Minnesota

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    This is the third time that Dr. Shu participated in the Haiti mission through No Scalpel Vasectomy Inc. (NSVI), and it is also the fifth time that he participated in the international mission in the past three years.

    From Oct 25 to Oct 28, NSVI conducted its 15th vasectomy mission in Haiti. Vasectomies were performed on 163 men (average age 43.8) who had had a total of 842 children. Dr. Shu performed about 50 vasectomies during this mission. While the average number of children per man (5.17) is still very high, we have seen a slight decrease over the last three missions. We may be seeing a greater percentage of men who accept vasectomy after 3 children, enabling themselves to nurture those children with more attention and better education even with their limited resources.

    Easy Vasectomy Receives Trademark from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office | Minnesota

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    Office proceduralist, Dr. Steven Shu, obtains a registered trademark from the United States PTO, for his Easy VasectomyⓇ, a minimal invasive office procedure with no scalpel, no needle and no stitches techniques.

    The introduction of Easy VasectomyⓇ has successfully allayed many men’s fears with regard to the scalpel and needle. It is safer, less invasive, and has fewer complications and quick recovery. Under local anesthesia, only a tiny puncture is made at the midline of the scrotum skin. It can be done in less than 10 minutes.

    Easy VasectomyⓇ Service in One Stop Medical Center
    One Stop Medical Center developed a powerful website, EZvasectomy.com, with rich information on vasectomy and vasectomy reversal. All patients are required to review the important vasectomy information and watch a consultation video. A separate initial consultation is no longer required, and Dr. Shu will finalize the consultation on the same day of surgery, so the patients don’t need another trip for the initial consultation. Moreover, the patients are able to register their vasectomy procedures by filling out the online registration form in the website.

    One Stop Medical Center developed a mailer system to eliminate another trip for patients. Patients who live far away may simply mail the specimen to the clinic instead of bringing it personally. Therefore, most patients are able to have a vasectomy done in just one trip to our clinic instead of three.

    In order to reduce the financial burden for our vasectomy patients, the price of no scalpel vasectomy was cut in half. This way, more men can afford to have their vasectomy done.

    One Stop Medical Center has simplified the vasectomy care system to create a more affordable, friendly and convenient vasectomy service.

    Dr. Shu Participating in International Medical Mission in the Fifth Time | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Minnesota physician Dr. Steven Shu, medical director of One Stop Medical Center, joins a group of doctors from the United States going to the Haiti in the last week of October, 2017 to provide free vasectomies for local residents. This is the fifth time that he has been part of an international vasectomy mission sponsored by the nonprofit organization, No Scalpel Vasectomy International Inc (NSVI).

    The mission of NSVI is to promote and provide free No-Scalpel Vasectomy services worldwide, but especially in developing countries whose infrastructure and environmental resources are challenged by rapid population growth unchecked by established and/or effective family planning programs.

    Over the past 14 years, Dr. Shu has been enjoying making his contributions to local communities. Since 2015, he has been focusing more on his international volunteer work in Philippines and Haiti. In 2017, he became a founding president of Medical Volunteers International (MVI, medvolunteers.org), a new non-profit organization for the Chinese American physicians dedicating the medical missions in the poorest countries around world.

    Find a Qualified Vasectomy Doctor | Minnesota

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    A vasectomy is a simple office procedure that most doctors can complete within 30 minutes. Dr. Shu of One Stop Medical Center usually completes a non-scalpel, no-needle, no-suture vasectomy within 10 minutes. A vasectomy usually requires only 1% Lidocaine for local anesthesia with either a needle injection or the no-needle technique with Madajet. The patient usualy relax and take things easy for a couple of days, and the no-scalpel vasectomy typically has few complications. However, for very nervous patients with significant anxiety issues, vasectomies can also be performed under oral sedation.
    The vasectomy procedures are usually conducted by urologists, other surgeons, and family physicians. Here are some tips to help find a qualified doctor who can perform vasectomies.

    1. Check doctors’ credentials; besides basic medical credentials, the most important questions you need to ask are:

  • How many vasectomies does the doctor performs every year?
  • How many years has the doctor been performing vasectomies?
  • What is the failure rate?
  • What is the complication rate?

    • Experience matters.

    2. You may ask if the doctor uses the new no-scalpel techniques. It makes a big difference in many aspects between modern no scalpel vasectomy and traditional vasectomy. Some doctors claim they perform no-scalpel vasectomy, when their actual techniques are not necessarily the best. For example, spending 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and even 60 minutes to perform a vasectomy will result in very different experiences. The recovery is related to how much trauma the scrotum experiences during the procedure. The two day recovery time from no-scalpel vasectomy is another big difference compared to a 1-2 week recovery from traditional vasectomies. Moreover, the complication rate is much lower than traditional vasectomies.

    3. There are a multitude of sources that offer information on vasectomy doctors in a patient’s area. These include Google searches, insurance companies, and primary-care doctors. If the patient knows any friends, family members and colleagues who have had a vasectomy, ask them about their personal experience with that particular doctor and clinic. This information may be more in-depth, and can also provide the patient with a better understanding of the whole process and what to expect.

    4. Once a number of vasectomy doctors have been identified, try to find out more about them. While credentials and clinical experience are important to consider, there are also practical considerations to take into account. These factors indirectly indicate how much the doctors are committed to vasectomy care and quality of vasectomy care.

    a. You should review their website to see if:

  • It is an informative and well-designed website
  • The contents are frequently updated
  • There is a user friendly online registration.
  • It is a dynamic website with ongoing blog posting
  • There are positive testimonials. There is a big difference in the evaluation of patient satisfaction between a few outdated testimonials and hundreds of recent testimonials.

    • b. If the price is affordable, ask about the total cost (consultation fee, procedure fee, and semen analysis fee).

    c. You should find the whole vasectomy care system to be a friendly and patient-oriented service. For example, One Stop Medical Center offers online consultation through its convenient online registration and one trip care system.

    d. Consider the office location and convenience.

    e. Evaluate the quality of customer service: how the patient is treated on the phone during inquires, the cleanliness of the office, the attitudes of the staff during initial contacting, the level of the procedure room (simple office room or higher level of Surgicenter), and other less-tangible measurements should also influence your decision.

    More about Sperm Banking | Minnesota

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    Sperm banking, in the simplest of terms, refers to the practice of storing sperm for future use. Sperm can be stored indefinitely when cryogenically frozen, and can be thawed and used to fertilize an woman’s egg. A pregnancy conceived using frozen sperm is no different from a normal pregnancy.

    There are two types of sperm banks- private sperm banks, and donor sperm banks. Donor sperm banks, which many of you may have heard of, purchase sperm provided by donors and sell it to those who want children. Donors are screened and added to a database, and buyers can select which donor they prefer.

    A private sperm bank, unlike a donor sperm bank, only cater to individual families. Private sperm banks may be associated with a fertility clinic, or may be a branch of a national corporation. The sperm sample is either collected locally, at a clinic, or mailed overnight through a home collection kit. Many doctors may recommend two samples taken on separate days, just to be safe.

    Before the sperm can be collected, the donor’s blood must be tested for diseases that could be transmitted through sperm. This includes HIV, hepatitis B and C, and many more. If the donor tests positive for any of these the sample may be unusable.

    Once collected, the a small portion of the sample is tested to see how well it holds up to freezing and thawing, and whether or not it will be viable for future use. If all goes well, the sperm is slowly frozen in liquid nitrogen tanks at -190C, where they can be kept stable almost indefinitely. Even twenty year old sperm can still be useable.

    When the time comes for the sperm to be used, the bank coordinates the transfer of the frozen sperm to the fertility clinic, where it is thawed and prepared for the insemination procedure. Usually, only a small amount of sperm is required. That way, if it doesn’t work the first time, there will be enough for future attempts.

    Why Sperm Banking?
    Private sperm banking is excellent for men who wish to conceive a child but have lost reproductive function or have issues with infertility. It is also great for men who are unsure if they want a child, but wish to have the option later on in life. Men who plan to undergo vasectomy are good candidates to have their sperm frozen. Sperm banking is highly effective and well established method of ensuring future reproductive success.

    5th World Vasectomy Day | Minnesota

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    It might seem odd to dedicate an entire day to vasectomies, but for Dr. Shu and the other 1,000 doctors participating in World Vasectomy Day on November 17, it’s an important event that spreads awareness on the most effective but underutilized methods of contraception: the vasectomy.

    With industrialization and modern medicine making it safer and easier to give birth and raise children, the world population has skyrocketed- current projections predict the world population will plateau at 11 billion. High population puts a strain on resources like food, medicine, and energy. In many areas of the world that are seeing rapid population growth, sexual education and medical resources have not caught up to other areas in society. Vasectomies are excellent for family planning in areas that are not well developed and do not have the resources that most of us take for granted.

    At World Vasectomy Day, local Mexican and international doctors will provide free vasectomies, along with live-streamed interviews with family planning experts, patients, and their families. This will be Dr. Shu’s 5th year participating in the event, and the One Stop Medical Center will offer free large pizza.

    This year’s World Vasectomy Day is being held in Mexico. Doctors around the world participating in World Vasectomy Day will provide as many vasectomies as possible in a span of 24 hours. The goal of World Vasectomy Day is to spread awareness of vasectomies and to dispel myths associated with them through community outreach and open dialogue.

    Vasectomy and Sex Life | Minnesota

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    Vasectomy is undeniably the most effective long term birth control for men, with half a million men undergoing the procedure in America every year, but some remain hesitant despite being assured of its safety and reliability. Faced with the idea of being infertile, the vasectomy can be a daunting proposition to many men. Fertility and sexual virility is heavily tied with the masculine identity, and to some vasectomy may be equivalent to surrendering some of it. Here’s why you shouldn’t worry.

    A fear of many men looking to get a vasectomy is the loss of sexual desire or satisfaction after getting snipped. What many people don’t seem to realize is that vasectomy rarely affects sexual pleasure physically- when men suffer erectile dysfunction or loss of sexual arousal after vasectomy, it is almost always psychological. Physically, vasectomy should not affect libido- vasectomy is simply the severance and obstruction of the vas deferens. Besides the semen containing no semen, there should be no difference in sexual function after a vasectomy. Of course, complications exist but with innovations such as no-scalpel vasectomy making the procedure increasingly less invasive, they are incredibly rare.

    Getting a vasectomy shouldn’t be seen as losing your manhood. Most men who are nervous about losing their manhood quickly realize that their sex is just as good as it was before, if not better. A study done on the effects of vasectomies on the sex lives of couples proved just that. In the study, a sample of 76 heterosexual couples were given a survey, one for the man and one for the woman, which score parameters such as sexual desire, coital satisfaction, erectile function, etc, before and after the procedure and the results were very interesting!

    In men, scores on the questionnaire revealed that quality of the sex was about the same before and after the procedure. Erectile function, orasm function, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction all either increased a slight amount or stayed level. The result, though unsurprising, should put some potential patients at ease. What was much more interesting was that in women, scores were higher in almost all areas, showing significant increase in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and overall satisfaction. Women in relationships tend to be more satisfied sexually after their partner gets a vasectomy. This is further evidence that most issues with sex after vasectomy are psychological rather than physical.

    Another study examined the relationship between vasectomy and frequency of sexual intercourse in populations of vasectomized and non-vasectomized men. The results also seemed to support that sex is better after vasectomy- vasectomized men had sex an average of 5.9 times a month compared to 4.9 times per month in non vasectomized men. Furthermore, vasectomized men were 81% more likely to have at least once a week.

    So if the idea of losing sexual potency after a vasectomy scares you, don’t be- there’s really nothing to worry about. Studies have shown that vasectomy either has no effect or increases sexual satisfaction, and that vasectomy actually increases the frequency of intercourse.

    Introduction of Sperm Banking | Minnesota

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    Cryopreservation (rapid freezing) is the method of preserving sperm for future use. There are many reasons an individual would choose to prepare for possible sterility, including

    1. Pending cancer treatments
    2. Elective vasectomy
    3. Infertility (use frozen donor semen)
    4. Initiating hormone therapy
    5. Having a high risk job.

    For some men, sperm banking is almost a necessity. Men diagnosed with cancer during their early 20’s face a course of chemotherapy likely to provide a cure but also likely to adversely affect sperm production. Their only hope of fathering children is with preservation and storage of sperm obtained prior to chemotherapy. For years, sperm banks have been providing this service.

    On occasion, a vasectomy candidate will ask about storing his sperm prior to undergoing vasectomy. The question is whether sperm freezing and storage (cryopreservation) might be considered a reasonable alternative to vasectomy reversal in the unlikely event that the individual wishes to father children in the future.

    For another group of men, infertility has necessitated use of donor semen. While these men may be infertile for a variety of reasons, use of donor sperm allows their wives to experience pregnancy and childbirth, obviously not part of the adoption process. Nearly all donor sperm used nowadays is obtained from frozen semen. Fresh semen is almost never used because infected donors may not test positive for hepatitis and AIDS until weeks after donation. Cryopreservation of semen provides the safety net needed to confirm that sperm donors are healthy and have negative tests weeks or months after donating.

    Frozen semen can be stored for an indefinite amount of time. It can be used effectively in different types of fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT).

    RISUG- An Exciting, Potential Vasectomy Alternative | Minnesota

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    Reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance (RISUG) is a procedure that could someday replace vasectomy as a long-term form of birth control. While RISUG and vasectomies have similar goals, the way they achieve those goals are quite different. Vasectomies involve cutting the vas deferens, and tying/stapling/cauterizing the open ends of the vas deferens. Even with the minimally invasive no-scalpel vasectomy, it is still a surgical procedure. RISUG is different- there is no cutting involved. Instead of severing the vas deferens, a polymer known as styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) is injected into the vas, which quickly hardens. This barrier does not block sperm; rather, it renders all the sperm that passes through it inactive, preventing conception. Reversing it simply requires another injection which dissolves the polymer, allowing the passage of motile sperm.

    RISUG provides a solution for a couple of problems that still affect vasectomies. First, it prevents backpressure from sperm in the epididymis and granulomas, which, while rare, are still a potential inconvenience for some who have a regular vasectomy. While RISUG procedure is not permanent (~10 years), it is very affordable and can be replaced indefinitely. It’s impermanence is a feature for some, as it is very easy to reverse the procedure. In the past few years, vasectomy reversals have become very effective, but they’re still known to fail and are costly compared to the initial vasectomy. The recovery time is short, and couples may resume intercourse within a week.

    Unfortunately, its development both here and abroad has been rocky. As of last year, advanced clinical trials on humans had very few volunteers- just 64 out of a targeted 500. In the US, the intellectual property rights are owned by the Parsemus Foundation, a non-profit, and is called “Vasalgel™”. Animal trials so far have been successful, but it still may be some time until human trials begin. Hopefully, this technology will one day revolutionize male birth control, but for now no-scalpel vasectomies are the best option for those seeking long-term male birth control.

    Why Male Sterilization Is the Way to Go? | Minnesota

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    Around 2.4 percent of all men have had a vasectomy worldwide. Male sterilization is most common in developed areas of the world, especially North America, Asia, and Western Europe, where birth rates have declined. In America, 7 percent of men have had a vasectomy, 9 out of 10 of them married men. This number has been static since 1990s, and shows no signs of changing.

    The alternative to male sterilization is female sterilization, usually tubal ligation, wherein the fallopian tubes are cut and blocked up. It is commonly referred to as “getting your tubes tied”. This keeps eggs from being released into the womb, preventing conception.

    A similar method known as the tubal implant method involves placing spring-like coils into the fallopian tubes, causing scar tissue to form, which blocks the tubes. This can take up to 3 months to be effective.

    Vasectomy is both more effective and safer than tubal ligation. Vasectomies are nearly 100% of effective and less likely to fail compared to a tubal ligation. Furthermore, complications are less likely with a vasectomy. Part of this is due to vasectomies being inherently safer and less invasive than a tubal ligation due to where the vas deferens are located compared to the fallopian tubes. Thus, vasectomies are also more convenient and more affordable compared to tubal ligation.

    Despite this, tubal ligation is still more popular than vasectomy worldwide, by a factor of four or five times. Why is this the case? Well, historically reproduction was a duty that women were responsible for. In the past it was left to the woman to put on that condom, take her birth control pills, or get an abortion. Also consider, even today, that much of the male identity was tied with his fertility and ability to raise kids. Being sterile is not considered “manly”. So why would men get vasectomies when it was easier to just make women get a tubal ligation? The society we live in today is thankfully a little less sexist, and now it’s accepted that some of the responsibility lies on the man’s shoulders as well. Vasectomies are the best form of birth control, hands-down.

    What about Ejaculation After Vasectomy? | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Men in Minnesota who plan to have a vasectomy always wonder what their ejaculations will be like afterwards. This is not an unusual question’ many are simply curious, while others have anxiety about this sort of thing.

    Generally speaking, patients haven’t had any issues of ejaculation after vasectomy. Post-vasectomy ejaculation should be no different than it was before the procedure.
    This blog is going to address some common questions related to initial post-vasectomy ejaculations.

    1. When is the earliest time for the first ejaculation after the procedure?
    Most doctors recommend waiting for a week, other doctors recommend a few days. There is no “scientifically” correct answer. Regardless of when you start sexual activities, the most important thing is that you still use protection until you are cleared.

    2. Are the initial ejaculations painful after the vasectomy?
    Most patients should not have painful ejaculations after a vasectomy. A few patients reported mild discomfort in the first ejaculation. If the patient starts sexual activities very early (within a week), they may experience some discomfort due to local swelling, bruising, or tenderness.

    3. Do the ejaculations change after a vasectomy?
    No, the ejaculations after a vasectomy will be pretty much the same as they were before the vasectomy procedure. There are no noticeable changes in volume, color, or smell of semen. The force of your ejaculations will also remain same after your vasectomy.

    The only thing that really changes in post-vasectomy semen is that it no longer contain any sperm. Sperm only accounts for less than 5% of the volume of a man’s ejaculate, so the tiny change is not going to be noticeable. In fact, the volume of semen naturally varies at that rate based on fluid intake, diet, physical activities, frequency of ejaculation, etc.

    4. Should I be concerned about blood in ejaculations after a vasectomy?
    Blood in the ejaculate often causes great concern to the men who experience it after a vasectomy. This is due to a condition called hematospermia, or hemospermia. It could occasionally happen in the first month after a vasectomy. If you can imagine, the vas tube has been opened and any resultant blood from the wound or ruptured capillary vessels can pass through the tube during healing.

    Post vasectomy hematospermia is an uncommon finding after a vasectomy however it is not alarming. Most cases of hematospermia after vasectomy are generally self-limited, and it usually resolves within a few weeks. No further diagnostic workup is needed; however, in some patients, hematospermia may be the first indicator of other urologic diseases such as prostate or seminal vesicle (male sex glands). If it persists, it may be wise to consult with a urologist.

    Reasons of Vasectomy Failure | Minnesota

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    While vasectomy has long been thought of as permanent, ending your ability to have kids, this is clearly not the case for Jets quarterback Antonio Cromartie, who had twins last year with his wife Terricka, conceived well after his vasectomy a couple years ago. The couple found out about the pregnancy completely on accident one day when his wife went to the ER with a bad stomach. However, it was clearly not an issue for the footballer and they kept the baby. He’s now welcoming their 14th child into their home.

    Why do vasectomies fail?
    Vasectomy failure is the occurrence of pregnancy or failure to achieve azoospermia after a reasonable period of time following vasectomy. The positive result of Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis (PVSA) can be stressful for couples looking forward to anxiety-free intercourse, without the threat of pregnancy.

    The most common reason is intercourse immediately after the vasectomy without protection. Even after the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm) is cut and sealed, sperm will still be in the tube and it takes some time in order to ensure the vas is completely cleared out. Men typically have to ejaculate 20-25 times before all the sperm is gone. Unprotected sex before this time can definitely lead to unintentional pregnancy. This is the reason that you continue to use protection for three months after your vasectomy.

    The second most likely, though less common, is recanalization failure. Actually, recanalization is the most common reason for technical failure in vasectomy, and it could happen even in a experienced surgeon. In vasectomies, the vas deferens is cut and the ends are blocked. Recanalization occurs when the sperm is still allowed to pass and go into the ejaculate. Sperm try and often succeed in penetrating through the end of the blocked vas. After a couple months of this, there can be many tiny holes in end of the vas deferens where sperm may flow out through pseudo channels.

    Recanalization following vasectomy should be suspected if motile sperms or rising sperm concentrations are seen after a initial or routine PVSA has shown azoospermia or Rare Non-motile Sperms (RNMS). Recanalization can be either transient or persistent based on the results of serial PVSAs. Pregnancy due to recanalization is estimated to occur after approximately 1 in 2000 vasectomies or less often. The incidence of recanalization is very likely greater than the reported rate of pregnancy after post-vasectomy azoospermia because not all recanalizations result in pregnancy.

    About half of the recanalizations will close (seal by scarrring) by itself in 6 months and contraceptive success will be achieved, the patients don’t need to repeat vasectomy. Other 50% patients who have persistent recanalization need to repeat vasectomy.

    The third and least common is technical failure resulting from a surgical error such as occluding one vas twice without occluding the other vas or failure to identify the very rare situation of vas duplication on one side. An extra vas is a very rare condition. Very occationally, the wrong tube (unusual large blood vessels) can be mistakenly blocked. Technical failure is characterized by persistently normal or nearly normal motile sperm counts and sperm motility after vasectomy, as if the procedure was never done! It happens more often in a inexperienced family physicians or surgeons.

    It is recommended to get sperm tested three months after the vasectomy to ensure that it worked. But our patients usually don’t need to have a semen analysis periodically if the vasectomy performed in our clinic is confirmed to be successful. Dr. Shu has performed about 1500 cases of vasectomies, all of them being successful!

    Vasectomy is a big life decision. It is important to know if the vasectomy was successful or not, so get your sperm tested after your vasectomy!

    Comparative Analysis of Anticipated Pain Versus Experienced Pain in Patients Undergoing Office Vasectomy.

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    Advances in vasectomy technique have minimized patient discomfort; however fear of pain remains a primary concern. The Urologist Dr. Furr at the University of Oklahoma just published the clinical research article on the pain related to vasectomy in Canadian J Urol. (2017 Apr;24(2):8744-8748), the research was to determine how the anticipation of pain associated with vasectomy compares with patient’s actual intraoperative experienced pain levels.

    A cohort of 172 patients undergoing clinic vasectomy was analyzed, and the result indicated that the actual pain experienced by a patient is significantly lower than their anticipation of vasectomy pain. This clinic research data will aid clinicians in appropriately counseling patients and minimizing pre-procedural anxiety.

    Modern no-scalpel vasectomy is a minimally invasive office procedure that performed near painlessly under local anesthesia. Fear of pain is still the number one reason for men in Minnesota to resist getting a vasectomy because they don’t want to have surgery near their genital organs. A good consultation before vasectomy the helps to relieve anxiety.

    Conventional needle anesthesia in vasectomy involves the use of a 27 gauge needle for local anesthesia. Dr. Shu applies local anesthesia with a special spray applicator without the use of needles. A spray applicator (MadaJet®) delivers a stream of anesthetic so fine that it penetrates the skin and diffuses to a depth of about 3/16 of an inch, enough to surround and anesthetize each vas tube in turn as it is lifted into position beneath the skin, attaining a close to 100% efficacy rate with no need for supplemental anesthetic.

    Dr. Shu uses the modern no-scalpel technique, exposing each vas in turn through a tiny opening in the front scrotal wall without using scalpel, the trauma in the scrotum is so minimal that significantly reduces the pain during the procedure and post-operative period.

    The patients always states right after their vasectomy, “it is amazing”, “Wow, much better than I thought”, “I worried for nothing”, “It is truly a easy vasectomy”, “easy vasectomy which is understated”, “it is almost painless”.

    MadaJet_2

    MadaJetSprayApplicatorMadaJet

    Possible Vasectomy Alternative in the Future? | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Many men in Minnesota wonder if any vasectomy alternatives are available in the future. Yes, a simpler, reversible vasectomy alternative is in the works at the Parsemus Foundation in California. This works by injecting a gel into the vas deferens, blocking it and preventing sperm from entering the ejeculate. The difference is that another dissolving gel can be injected that restores fertility by removing the original gel barrier.

    The technology was tested on rhesus macaques monkeys who were allowed to mate for two years after the gel was injected, and in the that time no monkeys were birthed. In the words of Dr. Colagross-Schouten: “We were impressed that this alternative worked in every single monkey, even though this was our first time trying it.”

    Gel functions like a reversible vasectomy, blocking or filtering out sperm. It is made from a dense web of molecules that form a viscous barrier in the vas deferens. The resulting gel implant remains in a soft gel-like state that allows water-soluble molecules to pass but not larger structures such as spermatozoa. This quality is thought to be a benefit for preventing back-pressure on sperm storage areas, which helps to reduce “blow out” in the epididymis.

    The whole process of procedure will be almost same as the no scalpel vasectomy. A small amount of local anesthesia is placed into the scrotal skin and around the vas deferens. A tiny puncture is made with a pointy hemostat in the numbed area of scrotal skin. The vas deferens are then secured and pulled out with a ring clamp through the small opening. The surrounding fascia is stripped with a sharp instrument to expose the vas deferens, and the gel was injected in the lumen of vas deferens. The complications of post bleeding and hematoma are expected to be lower.

    Since tests in monkeys were successful, human trials will begin shortly. Pretty soon, this alternative vasectomy method may be available across the globe which come with the benefits of vasectomy, but are easily reversible.

    Hematospermia After Vasectomy | Minnesota

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    An anxious patient recently called my office two weeks after his vasectomy. “I think I might have problem with my recent vasectomy,” he said anxiously. “My wife and I had sex last night, and she noticed that there was blood in my semen.”

    Blood in the ejaculate often causes great concern to the men who experience it after vasectomy, a condition called hematospermia, or hemospermia. It could occasionally happen in the first month after a vasectomy. If you can imagine, the vas tube has been opened and any resultant blood from the wound or ruptured capillary vessels can pass through the tube during healing.

    Post vasectomy hematospermia is an uncommon finding after a vasectomy however it is not alarming Most cases of hematospermia after vasectomy are generally self-limited, and it usually resolve within a few weeks, and no further diagnostic workup is needed; however, in some patients, hematospermia may be the first indicator of other urologic diseases such as prostate or seminal vesicle (male sex glands). If it persists perhaps it might be wise to consult with an urologist

    Vasectomy and prostate cancer- Is there a link? | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Vasectomy is one of the most common methods of male contraception in Minnesota, and is popular due to its efficacy and permanence. It was estimated that 15%, or about 50 million men had vasectomy procedures done in the United States. The first mention of an association between vasectomy and prostate cancer were in the late 1980s, where a study showed a positive link between vasectomy and risk in developing prostate cancer. Further studies throughout the years since then have been contradictory or inconclusive as to whether or not vasectomies actually increase the risk of prostate cancer.

    For the most part, prostate cancer is nothing to fear for men considering a vasectomy. A recent 2015 meta-analysis of 9 different cohort studies was statistically analyzed in order to determine if a possible correlation between vasectomies and prostate cancer. The study concluded that there was no evidence that vasectomy increased the risk of prostate cancer. While there was slight positive correlation, it was deemed not statistically significant. Furthermore, correlation does not equate causation- there is no reason why vasectomy would actually cause prostate cancer. There is no proven biological mechanism that relates these two together.

    There are many reasons why early studies may have shown a correlation between the two; for an example, men who have had a vasectomy were more likely to have tests for prostate cancer under a urologist. Also, prostate cancer diagnoses in general have risen in recent decades in part due to an aging population and better testing methods. Most authorities, like the National Cancer institute and the American Urological Association, agree that vasectomy does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

    Regardless, the decision to get a vasectomy is not one to be made lightly. It is an important family planning decision and permanent as well- vasectomy reversals are becoming more and more easily attainable but they are still expensive compared to a vasectomy and are not guaranteed to work, especially if the vasectomy was done a long time ago. Please take the time to decide whether a vasectomy something that you really want.

    Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS) | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Some men in Minnesota experience chronic pain after a vasectomy, known as post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS). While pain is normal for a few days post-vasectomy, those with PVPS will continue to have pain months after the procedure. The pain can be severe enough to interfere with daily life. It can be a dull, general pain, or be sharp and localized, and many report that the pain gets worse during intercourse. In the past, the incidence of PVPS was thought to be very low (<1%), but recent surveys have shown that up to 15% of men who get a vasectomy experience PVPS, while 2% experience chronic pain that significant effects quality of life. Dr.Shu performed about 1000 vasectomies, only one patient came to have a follow up due to ongoing post vasectomy pain after three months of vasectomy.

    Treatment and cause of PVPS may be different patient-to-patient, as everyone responds differently to the procedure.There are multiple potential causes of post-vasectomy pain syndrome, including sperm granulomas (small clusters of sperm cells), neuroma (pinched nerve) due to inflammation, vasectomy being too close to the epididymis and epididymal congestion.

    Generally, PVPS is treated initially treated conservatively, via heat/cold therapy, scrotal support, NSAIDs, etc. If this isn’t enough, other drug therapies are sued. If pain is debilitating and continues despite treatment, it may require the excision of a granuloma, epididymectomy (removal of epididymis), or vasectomy reversal. These methods, while more invasive, have a fairly high rate of resolution.

    While PVPS is certainly something to take into account when deciding on whether or not to get a vasectomy, it is not common and in most cases very mild. For most, the freedom granted by a vasectomy far outweighs the (very low) potential of complications.

    Scalpel vs. No-Scalpel vasectomy | Minnesota

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    Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that involves severing or tying the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. This is a very effective, permanent form of birth control.
    During a conventional vasectomy, the doctor must first make two big incisions in both sides of the scrotal skin. The vas is surgically separated from the other structures in the spermatic cord. The vas is then tied off cut, and separated. The incision is then sutured back together.

    In no-scalpel vasectomy, there is no big incision; instead, a small single hole is made in the skin of middle scrotum using a special sharp hemostat, and the vas deferens are lifted using a ring clamp. The surrounding fascia is removed to expose the vas. The vas deferens is cut, and the upper ends are cauterized. The titanium clips are placed on to keep the opened ends of the vas deferens out of alignment. The vas deferens are then placed back into the scrotum. A scrotal support is applied and the procedure is done; no sutures are used on the hole.

    No-scalpel vasectomy offers several advantages. No-scalpel vasectomy is inherently less invasive, and safer. The chances of complications with conventional vasectomy is 5-10% as a result of bleeding, scarring, infection, etc, while chance of complications with no-scalpel is less than 1%. No-scalpel vasectomy is takes 10 minutes; conventional vasectomy takes 30 minutes. No-scalpel causes less pain, and it also takes less time to heal completely. Most can resume normal physical activity the next day. They are both equal in effectiveness. Ultimately, it seems clear the no-scalpel vasectomy is the better option of the two.

    Dr. Steven Shu in the procedure clinic has performed more than 1000 non-scalpel vasectomies with 100% success rate, Zero percent wound infection, and the extremely high patient satisfaction.

    Three Common Questions Men Have About Vasectomies | Minnesota

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    How effective is it?
    A vasectomy is 99.85% effective as a birth control method. Typically, a year after vasectomy, only two women out of 1000 become pregnant. So far, Dr. Shu’s techniques have proved to be very effective, and he performed about 1000 vasectomies without any failure (100% effective).
    Post-vasectomy pregnancy usually occurs soon after the procedure due to residual sperm in the vas deferens and late occurance due to vas recanalization. It usually requires 20-25 ejaculations before no sperm is present in seminal fluid; prior to that partners should take caution during intercourse, and it is strongly recommended to have a follow up test for sperm in ejaculate after the procedure.

    Tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied” is often seen as the female equivalent, and is similarly effective; however, it is considerably more invasive and poses higher risk of complications.

    Does it effect sexual pleasure/performance?
    Physically, vasectomies have no effect on sexual performance or libido. Vasectomies only involve cutting the vas deferens, the path that leads from the testes to the urethra. Sperm is still produced in the testes after a vasectomy, but it is absorbed into the body rather than enter the urethra. Erection, orgasm, and ejaculation all function as normal, just in the absence of sperm in the ejaculate. The testes function normally and continue to secrete hormones as they did before the surgery. Psychologically, some men may feel sexual anxiety, as fertility is seen by some as a crucial aspect of masculinity, in which case understanding and reassurance is required. That said, most partners seem to find that a vasectomy makes their sex lives better as fear of pregnancy is no longer an issue. Studies show that couples where the men has had a vasectomy tend to have sex 5.9 times per month on average, compared to 4.9 times a month for the average couple.

    Is vasectomy reversible?
    Yes! Vasovasostomy is a procedure where the severed vas deferens is reconnected to allow the passage of sperm. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done under local anesthesia in the office. Dr. Shu uses the no scalpel technique with minimal trauma, so the patients usually have a quick recovery. A vasoepididymostomy, done when vasovasostomy is not possible, involves connecting the vas tube to the epididymis, which is a far more invasive and is beyond the scope of an office procedure. Generally, success depends on how long the man has had a vasectomy.

    Men’s Birth Control | Minnesota

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    Currently, there are very few methods of birth control available to men, as that responsibility has largely been assigned to the woman until recently. Today, however, due to rapid cultural shifts through the past few decades, there is a great and increasing number of men around the world looking to take birth control into their own hands! Still, there are few male contraceptives available to couples that engage in intercourse, which are male condoms, which are used by (15.3%) of contraceptive users, withdrawal (4.8%), and vasectomy (8.2%). The remaining 71.7% of users are using exclusively female-oriented birth control methods, such as the pill, IUD, diaphragm, spermicide, etc. Hormone-based birth control for men, like a pill or an implantable contraceptive, has the potential to be widely used but is not yet available for use.

    So, of the three listed, how do they compare?
    The most popular by far are male condoms– understandably so, as they are single serve, reliable, and do not require commitment. They offer some protection against STDs. They also don’t affect hormones, since it is a physical rather than physiological form of contraceptive, which is a relief for women that do not want the side effects of birth control. That said, condoms must be used every time a couple has intercourse to be fully effective, which can be annoying. The process of putting the condom on can often kill the mood, and many feel that having a condom on makes intercourse less pleasurable. Also, if used incorrectly, they can break, compromising their effectiveness. Whether or not condoms are worth the hassle is quite subjective, as every couple is different and may not have the same sexual requirements as others.

    Withdrawal, also known as the pull-out method or coitus interruptus is the least common of the three. The advantages to withdrawal are easy to see- it is free, there are no side effects, and it’s obviously better than nothing. However, the effectiveness of withdrawal is questionable. At it’s best it can be 96% effective, but at its worst there is a 27% chance of pregnancy. It really all depends on the male partner’s ability to pull out in time, so a high level of trust between sexual partners is required. Even if male partner is reliable however, it is possible for pre-ejaculate to contain sperm left in the urethra that can still cause pregnancy. For some it could also make intercourse less enjoyable due to nervousness and sexual interruption. It also does not protect against STDs.

    This leaves vasectomy. Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that involves blocking the tubes that carry sperm, effectively resulting in sterilization. There is still ejaculate, just no sperm in it. This makes vasectomies the most reliable form of contraception of the three. It is a one-time procedure that lasts indefinitely, as opposed to most other forms of contraception that require routine usage or usage during intercourse. It also does not affect hormones, unlike female birth control. One of the biggest concerns of getting a vasectomy is fear of it affecting the quality of sex, but it does not affect libido or sexual pleasure for either partner. Likewise, it is not a cure a lack of sex drive or erectile dysfunction. Some couples may want kids in the future, and conception is not possible after a vasectomy. A vasectomy can be reversed but requires another, more costly surgical procedure. Vasectomies also do not protect against STDs- only pregnancy.

    Ultimately, the best option depends on the needs of the patient. Deciding to get a vasectomy is a commitment and should definitely be given some prior thought.

    289 Vasectomies were Performed in 2016 Haiti Missions | Minnesota

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    Dr.Shu went to Haiti for his 2016 Haiti mission in the end of October. This is the second time that Dr. Shu participated in the Haiti mission through No Scalpel Vasectomy Inc. (NSVI), and it is also the fourth time that he participated in the international mission in the past two years.

    For the first time, in October 2016, two NSVI teams provided vasectomy procedures and training at two sites simultaneously in northern Haiti. Over four days, this enabled the team to provide vasectomies at five sites, visiting some sites on more than one day. Each team was composed of three international vasectomy experts and either an experienced Haitian vasectomist or a Haitian trainee. About 122 vasectomies were performed during the October mission alone. In total, 289 vasectomies were performed during the three Haiti missions of 2016.

    Our “Guest Vasectomist” volunteers not only paid their own ways to Haiti, but also made generous donations to help cover NSVI expenses.
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    From distant locations in North America, our vasectomists met the Floridians in Miami.
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    NSVI team and Haiti physicians

    • More Feedback From Our Vasectomy Patients in 2016 | Minnesota

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    More Feedback From Our Vasectomy Patients in 2016:

  • I was very nervous about having the procedure done but Dr. Schu was very professional and put me at ease. There was literally no pain whatsoever and the recovery time was very quick. I would highly recommend his services. Also the office was very warm and inviting and the staff were very friendly.
  • Easy start to finish
  • It was a piece of cake. I was so anxious up to and most of the way through the procedure, but it was done quickly and as easy as I hoped.
  • Amazing should have did it years ago.
  • It was a breeze! 7 minutes and I was in and out. Very little pain, and after taking it easy for a couple days I was right back into my regular schedule. Highly recommended!
  • Already have recommended to friends
  • Should of done this sooner! Very fast, easy and painless.
  • The procedure was fast, convenient and the pain was minimal (less than I expected). Happy with the decision to chose this procedure and this Dr.
  • Had a little more pain post-vasectomy than anticipated. And occasional pain a couple times in the few weeks after the procedure. Otherwise it went well.
  • I would recommend all my friends to Dr. Shu

    • 2 Free Large Pizza on World Vasectomy Day on November 18th | Minnesota

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    For the fourth year in a row, Dr.Shu will be participating in World Vasectomy Day, an event that brings focus to the role men can take in family planning as responsible citizens of our planet. The vasectomies we are offering on World Vasectomy Day are part of a global effort. If you have the vasectomies done on November 18th, you will receive 2 free large pizza ($20 gift card).

    pizza

    Doctors in health clinics and medical offices around the globe will perform as many vasectomies as possible in one 24-hour period for World Vasectomy Day, Nov. 18th, 2016. The fourth annual event is designed to heighten awareness of and dispel myths about vasectomy, increase access to the procedure, and to inspire more men to become engaged in the global family planning conversation, above all.

    On November 18, 2016 World Vasectomy Day will be headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya! with free vasectomies offered by the local providers in Nairobi and international trainers. They will be joined by 1000 vasectomists worldwide. The event will be live-streamed including interviews with family planning experts, patients and their family members.

    Although most family planning specialists consider vasectomy the most effective permanent form of birth control available to men, there is still much resistance. Despite costing on average one-fifth as much as tubal ligation, not requiring general anesthesia or hospitalization, vasectomy is performed at less than half the rate of tubal ligation in the U.S. Worldwide, less than three percent of married women ages 15 to 49 rely on their partner’s vasectomy for contraception.

    More information about World Vasectomy Day can be found at http://worldvasectomyday.org.

    World Vasectomy Day, November 18, 2016 | Minnesota

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    On November 18, 2016 World Vasectomy Day will be headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya! with free vasectomies offered by the local providers in Nairobi and international trainers. They will be joined by 1000 vasectomists worldwide. The event will be live-streamed including interviews with family planning experts, patients and their family members.

    For the 4th year in a row, Dr.Shu will be participating in World Vasectomy Day, an event that brings focus to the role men can take in family planning as responsible citizens of our planet. The vasectomies we are offering on World Vasectomy Day are part of a global effort.

    WVD Doctors in health clinics and medical offices around the globe will perform as many vasectomies as possible in one 24-hour period for World Vasectomy Day, Nov. 18, 2016. The fourth annual event is designed to heighten awareness of and dispel myths about vasectomy, increase access to the procedure, and to inspire more men to become engaged in the global family planning conversation.

    More information about World Vasectomy Day can be found at World Vasectomy Day.

    Feedback from Our Vasectomy Patients (1) | Minnesota

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    Here are the feedback from our vasectomy patients.

    • I found I was worried over nothing. It was minimal discomfort and even that was completely gone after a week.

    • The procedure was very quick (20 minutes from the moment that I was called in until the moment that I walked out). There was virtually no pain at all, and within 4 days I was completely back to normal. I would highly recommend this procedure and Dr. Shu to anyone looking to have a vasectomy.

    • super easy procedure

    • I am very pleased with the procedure! It was as easy as 1,2,3 .

    • Everything was real good except having to wait 30 min. past the scheduled appointment before getting in for procedure.

    • Very easy procedure. Thanks to the staff for calming my nerves.

    • It’s hard to rate the procedure. I didn’t enjoy it.

    • I have recommended the office to several friends.

    • I would highly recommend this type of vasectomy. A quick procedure,with very little pain and a fast recovery.

    • Any fears about pain, mishaps, or the procedure were unnecessary. The entire experience was far more easier than I had anticipated. I highly recommended your clinic for anyone considering a vesectomy. Thank you.

    • This was as easy and painless as it could possibly be. I also saved a TON of money over going to my regular doctor’s office. I am very happy with my decision.

    • I should have had this done 30 years ago

    • I could not believe how painless it was. I was worried about it for no reason. It was over in less than five minutes once from the time I was set on the table to the time i was

    Three Major Reasons a Vasectomy Beats a Tubal Ligation | Minnesota

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    Every couple in Minnesota whose family is complete may consider permanent birth control. The sterilization procedures include vasectomy, tubal ligation, or tubal blocking. Both men and women should know and compare the differences, benefits and risks of these procedures. For most couples, vasectomy is often the safer, simpler and more affordable. There are ample medical and personal reasons why a couple might prefer vasectomy to tubal ligation or blocking. This blog may help you make a more informed decision.

    1.Hospital based Versus Office based
    Tubal ligation in Minnesota is usually laparoscopic procedure that involves hospitalization, general anesthesia and lengthier, more complicated surgery than a vasectomy. In comparison, vasectomy may be completed in 10 minutes with minimal trauma. Tubal ligation requires much longer recovery time than vasectomy. Moreover, Women are more likely to have the immediate and long term complications related to a tubal ligation than men who have a vasectomy.

    Vasectomies are usually outpatient procedures performed in the doctors’ office and usually take 10 minutes to complete. No scalpel vasectomy has a very quick recovery and very low risk of complications.

    2.Pain
    Women who have had tubal ligation may experience abdominal pain/cramping, dizziness, fatigue, gas, bleeding from the incision, and discharge. Of course, not every woman will experience these symptoms, and severity of symptoms can vary from woman to woman.

    Believe or not, the Easy™ no scalpel vasectomy procedure is incredibly simple and almost pain free. How do we achieve it?

      • No scalpel: The new surgical techniques of the no scalpel vasectomy greatly minimize trauma and pain by only making a small, single punch in the skin of scrotum with special instruments, as opposed to a conventional, more invasive open procedure.
      • No Needle: Madajet is a spray applicator that delivers a fine stream of anesthetic at a pressure great enough to penetrate the skin and envelop the vas deferens tube beneath the skin with an almost 100% efficacy rate, eliminating the need for additional anesthetic.
      • No suture: the wound is so tiny ( a few millimeter) that it doesn’t require a suture to close it.

    3.Cost
    When it comes to cost, a simple office vasectomy is more than four to five times less expensive than a routine tubal ligation.

    An advantage of tubal ligation is that it works immediately, but a vasectomy doesn’t give you instant result, it requires 15-20 ejaculations in the period of 2-3 months. So you have to use a backup method of contraception until you’re in the clear in semen analysis.

    The Essure and Adiana devices, which are inserted into the Fallopian tubes, are new alternatives to traditional tubal ligation in Minnesota; it requires a confirmation in 3 months with an x-ray test called a hysterosalpingogram to ensure that they’re installed properly. Another form of birth control must be used in the first 3 months. These tubal blocking procedures are less invasive than tubal ligation, but failure rates are higher in tubal blocking procedures than tubal ligation and no scalpel vasectomy.

    People in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas should review all information on sterilization procedures from the reliable websites and your physicians, however, when it comes to risks, benefits, cost, and effectiveness, no scalpel vasectomy is more often the best option of sterilization.

    An Affordable and One Trip Vasectomy Care System in Minnesota

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    In the previous blog, we talked about the fear of pain, one of three most common road blockers for Minnesotan men hesitating to have a vasectomy. This blog talks about affordability and convenience in vasectomy care in Minnesota.

    Not too long ago, there was no Internet, or very limited information on Internet. All medical information came from the words of doctors only. Therefore, the patients had to come to the doctor’s office for detailed counseling on sterilization. In the 21st century, medical information on the Internet has been exploding, including vasectomy information. The patients are able to study everything about vasectomy procedures as much as they want and take their time to make a wise decision on their family planning. As we all know, men are a different creature, and they hate coming to the doctor’s office three times for finishing the whole process of vasectomy care.

    We understand men’s psychology. That is why One Stop Medical Center developed a powerful website, EZvasectomy.com, with rich information on vasectomy and vasectomy reversal. All patients are required to review the important vasectomy information and watch a consultation video. A separate initial consultation is no longer required, although it is an option in certain special situations or per patient’s request. Dr. Shu will finalize the consultation on the same day of the surgery, so the patients don’t need another trip for the initial consultation. Moreover, the patients are able to register their vasectomy procedures by filling out the online registration form in the website.

    Traditionally, the vasectomized patients need to bring specimen for semen analysis three months following the surgery. One Stop Medical Center developed a mailer system to eliminate another trip for patients. Patients who live far away may simply mail the specimen to the clinic instead of bringing it personally. Therefore, most patients are able to have a vasectomy done in just one trip to our clinic instead of three.

    Our clinic used to charge much more for vasectomy procedure. In order to reduce the financial burden for our vasectomy patients, we cut the price of no scalpel vasectomy almost in half. This way, more men can afford to have their vasectomy done.

    One Stop Medical Center has simplified the vasectomy care system to create a more affordable, friendly and convenient vasectomy care system.

    Common Questions Men Ask About A Vasectomy: Pain | Minnesota

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    The idea of Easy™ no scalpel vasectomy can seem daunting – on the one hand, it is a minimal invasive procedure done in a doctor’s office in 10 minutes, using only local anesthesia, and it is one of the most reliable, cost-effective forms of long term birth control available. On the other hand, a vasectomy can feel like kind of a drastic step to take because vasectomy is a surgical procedure. Although the techniques used in Easy™ no scalpel vasectomy is so advanced and so minimal invasive, still, many men in Minnesota hesitate to have their vasectomy done due to three factors: fear of pain, cost, and time. We are talking about each of them in this series of blogs. The first blog is to talk about pain related to vasectomy.

    Is there pain during the Easy™ vasectomy procedure?
    The number one objection voiced by the male in Minnesota to having a vasectomy done is the fear of pain. Believe or not, the Easy™ no scalpel vasectomy procedure is incredibly simple, safe and almost pain free. How do we achieve it?

    1. No scalpel: The new surgical techniques of the no scalpel vasectomy greatly minimize trauma and pain by only making a small, single punch in the skin of scrotum with special instruments, as opposed to a conventional, more invasive open procedure.

    2. No Needle: Madajet is a spray applicator that delivers a fine stream of anesthetic at a pressure great enough to penetrate the skin and envelop the vas deferens tube beneath the skin with an almost 100% efficacy rate, eliminating the need for additional anesthetic.

    95% of Minnesotan patients said there was mild, minimal, or no pain with their brief vasectomy procedure. Each patient is unique, and some are more sensitive to pain and discomfort than others. For some men, thinking about it may be more discomforting anxiety than the actual procedure. By offering no needle and no scalpel techniques for a vasectomy, One Stop Medical Center in the Twin Cities has mitigated the pain of the procedure and the fear that comes with it.

    How long will I experience discomfort after Easy™ vasectomy?
    The single wound in the middle of scrotum after Easy™ vasectomy is so tiny that it doesn’t even require a suture to close it, which further facilitates the recovery and healing. Discomfort afterwards is minimal. A shorter recovery time with mild swelling and bruise means that patients will be back to their normal routine just in two days after the procedure.

    Small percentage men state they still felt a certain degree of ache or discomfort for a few weeks after the procedure, but if you’re still sore or tender after more than a couple weeks you may want to give your physician a call.

    Procedure Clinic Offers No-scalpel, No-needle, No-suture Vasectomy | Minnesota

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    Getting a vasectomy is an important decision in any man’s life and it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Vasectomy is a safe and popular procedure of male contraception that is highly effective and a no scalpel vasectomy can be done in as little as ten minutes. Dr. Shu at Procedure Clinic uses state of the art technology and minimal invasive techniques and his years of experience for performing vasectomies and he has performed hundreds of such procedures in recent years. No scalpel vasectomy is a simple procedure that has a very low failure rate and quick recovery period as patients can resume work in as little as two days.

    Things to Know About Vasectomy

    One should gather ample information and learn the facts and concepts associated with vasectomy before undergoing the procedure. Here are some things you should know about vasectomy before choosing it as a form of contraception:

  • Vasectomy is performed as a permanent form of male contraception
  • No scalpel vasectomy is much less invasive and offers quick recovery
  • Vasectomy is ideal for men who are 100% sure they do not want more children
  • Vasectomies are nearly 100 percent effective and safe.
  • They don’t reduce a man’s sexual drive, virility, or ability to have or enjoy sex.

    • For more information on no scalpel vasectomy, please browse through https://ezvasectomy.com.

    2016 Philippine Mission – 454 Vasectomies in 7 Days | Minnesota

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    Dr. Shu participated in the 2016 Philippines Vasectomy Mission from February 23 to March 1. This was his third time participating in the NVSI’s international mission.

    For the 2016 mission, physicians and support staff arrived from three continents and had more countries of origin than we could easily count. Dr.Shu was the only surgeon from Minnesota.

    The whole team performed a total of 454 no scalpel vasectomies in the seven-day mission, and Dr. Shu performed at least 50 vasectomies by himself.

    Phil-2016-Physicians-JohnAbano-JohnCurington-SarahMiller-JaySandlow-RobertKulik-NickDemediuk-StevenShu-RonWeiss

    • philippine_2016_Day-1.1
    • philippine_2016_Day-2_5_ferrytohilongos
    • philippine_2016_Day-2.1
    • Steven JB Liz Sarah under the Free No Scalpel Vasectomy sign
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    • NSVI group after lectures at Southwestern University NSVI group after lectures at Southwestern University[/caption]

    World Vasectomy Animation

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    Video World Vasectomy Animation

    We all have occasions we celebrate each year. For us, that date is World Vasectomy Day!

    But what is World Vasectomy Day? Let’s take it one step at a time.

    A vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control for men where the doctor first separates the vas deferens and then seals up each end. This prevents sperm from entering into the seminal stream and fertilizing a woman’s egg. After it’s done you’ll still produce the same amount of semen, but no sperm, or like some say, ‘all juice no seeds’.

    Can you just use a condom? For sure, but it turns out 18 out of every 100 men who use a condom as their primary form of birth control get a woman pregnant within a year.

    With a vasectomy, failure is less than 1%. You do the math. And what do you call a man who uses withdrawal? Daddy.

    And while no guy likes a doctor poking around in our private parts, for almost 99% of men there’s no lasting pain, the whole thing takes only 15 minutes and there’s no negative effect on our sex lives.

    In fact, eliminating the fear of pregnancy can actually make it better.

    You’d think every man, whose family is complete would get a vasectomy, but there are whole countries where less than 1% even choose the option.

    So why are men so resistant?

    Bad information and old habits lead to fears like my sex life will decrease” or “My testosterone will decline.

    The Luo language of Kenya uses the same word for “vasectomy” and “castration’, but the common fear world over is that a vasectomy makes you less of a man.

    Really?

    Manhood is not determined by how many children you make, but how well you care for those you already have.
    And some people don’t even want any kids and that’s their choice as well.

    A courageous man doesn’t run from risk, he shares responsibility with his partner. He doesn’t give in to fear. He gets a vasectomy out of love.

    And if that love includes concern for the planet our children will inherit, you should know that a vasectomy lowers carbon footprint 28 times more than a lifetime of reducing, reusing and recycling.

    So on World Vasectomy Day we celebrate the men and women who rise as one to take responsibility for our children, our families and our future. For some this means choosing to get a vasectomy, for the doctors and providers it means doing them.

    For all of us how we create new life is certainly the most important conversation of our lives. So join us this year on November 13, as we make history and create a better future.

    2 Free Large Pizza on World Vasectomy Day on November 13th | Minnesota

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    Doctors around the world will perform as many vasectomies as possible in one 24-hour period for World Vasectomy Day on November 13, 2015. This 3rd annual event is designed to heighten awareness of and dispel myths about vasectomy, increase access to the procedure, and inspire more men to become engaged in global family planning conversations. Dr. Steven Shu of One Stop Medical Center in the Twin Cities announced his clinic’s participation in 2015 World Vasectomy Day and will offer 2 large free pizza to all vasectomy patients on November 13.

    WVD

    pizza

    2015 World Vasectomy Day will be headquartered in Bali with free vasectomies offered by the local providers in Bali and international trainers. They will be joined by over 500 vasectomists worldwide. The event will be live-streamed, including interviews with family planning experts, patients and their family members.

    “This is my third time participating in this event. In 2013 we celebrated our first year out of Adelaide, Australia with 150 doctors doing 1000 vasectomies in 25 countries. In 2014 we headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and 500 doctors in 32 countries did 30,000 vasectomies, making it the largest male-oriented family planning event in history,” said Dr. Shu, medical doctor and surgeon at One Stop Medical Center. “A countdown to Third World Vasectomy Day will begin on November 13. More information can be found at http://worldvasectomyday.org.”

    A majority of the men who undergo the vasectomy procedure do so in order to ease the burden of family planning on their wives. Although a vasectomy has long been considered as the most effective and affordable way for a couple to pursue long-term contraception, there is still much resistance. Many men hesitate to undergo a vasectomy due to fear of pain, cost, and time. In order to eliminate these roadblocks, One Stop Medical Center in Minnesota’s Twin Cities has developed an affordable, virtually painless and convenient one-trip vasectomy care system. The patients are able to register their vasectomies online through its website https://ezvasectomy.com.

    Failure of Vasectomy and Recanalization | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    The patients will have the semen analysis to confirm the success of the procedure three months after the vasectomy. If motile sperm is present 12 weeks after the vasectomy, it indicates that recanalization has occurred or that there was a technical failure in vas occlusion.

    However, the vasectomy should not be repeated immediately if motile sperm is found in the semen analysis prior to six months after the vasectomy. Additional semen analysis should be performed at intervals of four weeks for up to six months after the vasectomy for further evaluation.

    Approximately 30% to 50% of men with recanalization eventually achieve azoospermia or rare nonmotile sperm over a period of six months after the vasectomy due to fibrosis of the vas and occlusion of the recanalization. Therefore, the decision to repeat the vasectomy should not rely on a single semen analysis. A repeat vasectomy should be done if the number of motile sperm increases in the subsequent semen analyses or if motile sperm persists for six months after vasectomy.

    Motile sperm may represent a risk of pregnancy and indicate the need for continued use of another contraceptive method.

    One Stop Medical Center in Minnesota reported a zero failure rate in about 600 vasectomy cases, most of which were performed in the past few years. All vasectomies were performed with no scalpel, no needle, and no suture techniques.

    Achieving Zero Failure Rate and Zero Infection Rate in No Scalpel Vasectomy | Minnesota

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    All birth controlmethods work best if used correctly every time you have sex. The vasectomy has one of the lowest failure rates among birth control methods. Moreover, no-scalpel vasectomy has many proven advantages with a lower complication rate over the conventional vasectomy. Still, some men in Minnesota hesitate to have their vasectomy done because they are afraid of failure and complications.

    One Stop Medical Center of Twin Cities reported a zero failure rate and zero infection rate in about 600 vasectomy cases, most of which were performed in the past few years. All vasectomies were performed with no scalpel, no needle, and no suture techniques.

    The failure rate for the no scalpel vasectomy, which uses the fascia clipping technique, is even lower than the traditional vasectomy. The immediate risks of vasectomy are bleeding and infection, but these risks are generally very low for vasectomies. The risks are even lower with our no scalpel vasectomy.”

    A very small percentage of patients develop small hematomas (collection of blood) and large hematomas are even rarer. Small hematomas usually resolve by themselves. Large hematomas need an incision and drainage.

    One Stop Medical Center has developed a powerful website with a plethora of information on the vasectomy that helps Minnesota patients to understand the potential side effects and complications. It also provides detailed instructions on how to prevent common complications.

    World Vasectomy Day, November 13, 2015 | Minnesota

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    On November 13, 2015 World Vasectomy Day will be headquartered in Bali with free vasectomies offered by the local providers in Bali and international trainers. They will be joined by over 500 vasectomists worldwide. The event will be live-streamed including interviews with family planning experts, patients and their family members.

    For the third year in a row, Dr.Shu will be participating in World Vasectomy Day, an event that brings focus to the role men can take in family planning as responsible citizens of our planet. The vasectomies we are offering on World Vasectomy Day are part of a global effort.

    WVDDoctors in health clinics and medical offices around the globe will perform as many vasectomies as possible in one 24-hour period for World Vasectomy Day, Nov. 13, 2015. The third annual event is designed to heighten awareness of and dispel myths about vasectomy, increase access to the procedure, and to inspire more men to become engaged in the global family planning conversation.

    More information about World Vasectomy Day can be found at http://worldvasectomyday.org.

    A Different Experience in Haiti Vasectomy Mission comparing to the Philippine Mission | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Dr. Shu of One Stop Medical Center in Minneapolis participated in the vasectomy mission in Haiti in mid of July 2015. This is the second time this year that he has been part of an international vasectomy mission sponsored by the nonprofit organization, No Scalpel Vasectomy International Inc (NSVI).

    Dr. Shu shares a passion with the vasectomy guru Dr. Doug Stein in Tampa, FL, promoting and providing no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) services worldwide. He joined the international team in the Philippine mission in February 2015.

    Thanks to the opening of the expanded runway at Cap Haitien Airport, there is now jet service to Northern Haiti from Miami. We served three locations: the Uls Sante Clinic in Ft. Bourgeois, the town of Plaisance, and the Ft. St. Michel Health Center in Cap Haitien, and three physicians performed about 90 vasectomies in three days.

    The Haiti mission is much more challenging than the Philippine mission because of the poor economy with a high unemployment rate, poor public infrastructure, and an under-developed health care system. NSVI has established a Domestic Program in Northern Haiti as it has done in the Philippines. The Haitian government has made family planning a national priority, and should be very receptive to the help offered by NSVI.

    Please feel free to steer a few of your philanthropic dollars toward NSVI. You probably already give to other organizations with top-heavy administrations who are strangers to you. What better gesture than to donate $45 to help a poor Haitian man (1) reduce his overhead, (2) reduce the risk to his partner of another unintended pregnancy, (3) more successfully nurture fewer children, and (4) reduce overcrowding in a small country whose environment has already been stripped of many resources by a population of over 10,000,000.

    One Stop Medical Center Provides Vasectomy & Reversal Online Registration

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    When patients seek the vasectomy or vasectomy reversal procedures, they often face frustration related to lengthy check-in processes involving necessary but substantial paperwork. To ease this burden, One Stop Medical Center recently unveiled an online registration forms in its website, EZvasectomy.com that allows patients to conveniently prepare for their visits and office procedures in advance, using either their computers or their mobile devices.

    There are many advantages to use the secure online registration. By using the online registration, the patients are required to review all information before they sign off. Therefore, the patients are completely informed after online registration. It will save time on the day of consultation and/or procedures. By registering in the privacy of patients ‘own homes or offices, the patients will not be distracted by other activity within doctor’s office on the day of visit. The patients are able to give more accurate information because they may also have access to medical information (prior surgeries, medications, names of doctors) that they may not recall on the day of visit. Moreover, Doctors are able to review patients’ history and to call them if there are any medical or social concerns before their office visits.

    When a patient registers online for a vasectomy or a reversal procedure, we can expedite their visit to make it much more convenient and easy. In fact, once they arrive, it’s basically just a matter of verifying who they are in order to see the provider, since we already have most of the information needed in our system.

    Vasectomy Online Registration

    Reversal Online Registration

    Dear Men in Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Dear Men,

    We came up with Ten Reasons to support World Vasectomy Day as a way to explain the spirit behind our event, but we want to make sure that every one of you who decides to get a vasectomy, either during WVD or any point in the future, does so because it is the right option for you.

    First – as valuable as it may be to make a positive contribution to the world, the decision to have a vasectomy is highly personal and dependent on your individual circumstances. We must emphasize the importance of taking the time to seriously consider whether you are in fact ready to take this step. Even though the decision is yours, we encourage you to talk it through with trusted friends as well as other men who have had a vasectomy.

    Second – vasectomy should be considered as a permanent form of birth control. Reversals are possible, but not only are they much more expensive than a vasectomy, success is not guaranteed.

    Third – while we live in a world where an 18 year old is considered old enough to die or kill for his country, it is likely that this same young man would be questioned and even counseled against getting a vasectomy. And while there are some men who feel sure at a very young age that theyʼll never want to be a father, statistically, some of those men will end up changing their minds. WVD does not have a position on what the minimum age should be to get a vasectomy. However, if you are a young man, or a man who has never had a child, you might consider freezing some of your sperm!

    Fourth – while a young man may feel certain he wants to have a vasectomy, it might not be a service that a particular physician or a clinic feels comfortable doing. This decision is not necessarily a moral judgment, but a reflection on what he or she believes is in the best interests of that patient.

    Fifth – and of great importance – although the vast majority of men who have a vasectomy are satisfied with the procedure, and most of their female partners are grateful to no longer have to worry about taking ultimate responsibility for birth control, there is a small percentage of men who might regret their decision. This may be due to changes in their lives, their family, negative psychological reactions, or complications that include long-term pain.

    Serious complications can occur in about 1-2% of cases. If you suffer from pain, your pain is not a statistic, but a very serious issue. We share this information because itʼs critical each patient is fully informed about the procedure and the full range of possible consequences. Furthermore, we believe that continued research is needed in this area and we fully support any and all efforts to do so.

    Sixth – if you or your partner is non-monogamous, you should wear a condom. A vasectomy does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

    Seventh – for those who say ʻgetting a vasectomy makes you less of a manʼ, we say, thereʼs nothing manly about getting a woman pregnant when itʼs not what you want or not having sufficient resources to care for your child in a way that reflects what you value.

    Eighth – while the biggest fear for many men is that a vasectomy will have an adverse effect on their capacity to give or receive sexual pleasure, the good news is, eliminating fear of pregnancy might actually improve your sex life!

    In conclusion, vasectomies may not be right for every one, but for men:
    1. who are certain they donʼt want any or more children
    2. whose families are complete and
    3. that are certain theyʼre going to be sexually active with women who are still fertile vasectomy is a very good option.

    Regardless of whether or not you choose to have a vasectomy, on World Vasectomy Day or any other day, please take the time to consider all of the above points.

    Sincerely,
    Jonathan Stack, Co-founder
    World Vasectomy Day

    More FAQ (2)

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    Q. Is no scalpel vasectomy easily reversible?
    A.     Yes, current vasectomy technique is much more reversal friendly. We no longer remove the segment of vas, and we no longer to cauterize both ends of vas. The open ended vasectomy technique keeps healthy vas as long as we can, so vasectomy can be easily reversed if you change your mind later. You also need to remember that we can put the tubes back together in the majority of cases, but you cannot guarantee that the reversal will be successful since the success rate is related to the time between the vasectomy and its reversal. You can’t guarantee that a pregnancy will result. And that is regardless of the method of vasectomy.

    Q. What happens if I get an erection during the procedure?
    A.     I have performed many hundred of vasectomies in the past decade, I haven’t seen this. Most male patients are nervous enough to suppress their sexual arousal. It is not an issue.

    Q. Is there anyone else in the room during the procedure?
    A.     Usually not. You will always be asked if someone else is to be present. Our front desk and medical assistants will greet you and help you to get paperwork done right before vasectomy. On occasion the doctor ask the medical assistant to assist if needs more instruments and accessories. Very occasionally, other physicians visit to observe the no scalpel vasectomy procedure. However, no family members or partners will be allowed to attend.

    More FAQ (1)

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    Q. Can I take Aspirin for pain?
    A:     No, Asprin is a blood thinner, which may cause bleeding or more bruising.

    Q. Can I take Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin?) or Naproxen ?
    A.     Yes, you can take it in limited doses. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is preferred. Many patients don’t take anything after a vasectomy.

    Q. Do I have to put ice on afterwards?
    A.     No, because no-scalpel vasectomy causes very small trauma in your scrotum.

    Q. Can I lift my kid after the vasectomy?
    A.     You should not lift anything in the first week.

    Q. Can I take a Sauna/bath/Jacuzzi/Whirlpool?
    A.     We recommend to only shower before complete healing.

    Q. When can I shower after the procedure?
    A.     You can shower in 24-36 hours.

    Vasectomy May be the New Condom for Fertility

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    New research from four months ago published in the journal Andrology shows that very high reversal success makes vasectomy a temporary contraceptive. This study of more than 1,200 reversals (V-V, V-E) demonstrates a vasectomy reversal is possible almost 40 years after the original vasectomy. The author Dr. Turek predicts that a vasectomy can be used as temporary male contraception.

    For decades, it has been believed that the older the vasectomy, the less likely that a vasectomy reversal will work. But this is simply not true. This assumption has led many doctors to encourage couples to choose vitro fertilization (IVF), a much more expensive alternative, to build families.

    The study shows reversals performed even 38 years after the vasectomy did not have worse outcomes after reversal. In fact, the patency rate after reversal plateaus after 21 years doesn’t decrease much. The chance of achieving live sperm counts after reversal in men with older vasectomies (more than 15 years of obstruction) was 75% compared to 93% in men with younger vasectomies (less than 15 years). In addition, excellent sperm counts are achievable after reversing older vasectomies. The motility of ejaculated sperm after reversal decreases as vasectomy age increases.

    How is Easy™ vasectomy done without a needle?

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    In order to make vasectomy patients happier, the no needle technique was invented. It significantly reduces the fear and vasovagal reaction (fainting) during vasectomy.

    Conventional needle anesthesia in no-scalpel vasectomy involves the use of a 27 gauge needle to raise a wheal at the skin of scrotum; it is then advanced its full length along the vas on each side where further anesthetic solution is deposited. One could feel a small poke and a bit of a squeezing pain during injection. However, most men do not like needles of any size … especially there!
    MadaJet_2

    Madajet

    MadaJet® was invented to replace needle injection. Wilson in 2001 initially described no-needle jet injection as a new anesthetic technique. Weiss and Li refined the jet injection technique for vasectomy. (J Urol 2005; 173:1677-1680). It is a spray applicator that delivers a fine stream of anesthetic at a pressure great enough to penetrate the skin and envelop the vas tube beneath the skin, attaining a close to 100% efficacy rate with no need for supplemental anesthetic.

    How is Easy™ vasectomy done without a scalpel?

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    The patients in Minneapolis and St Paul areas always wonder how Easy™ vasectomy is performed without a scalpel.

    No-scalpel vasectomy instruments were developed in China in the mid-70’s and introduced into the United States in 1985. The refined techniques of no-scalpel vasectomy that minimize trauma, pain and complications. The introduction of no-scalpel vasectomy has successfully allayed many men’s fears with regard to the scalpel.

    Dr. Shu uses two important No-scalpel vasectomy instruments to perform the procedure. A very pointy hemostat is used in three steps.hemostat_2

    • First used to make an initial tiny opening into anesthetized skin by puncturing, then skin is spread to 0.5cm opening.
    • Then used to spread all layers (the vas sheath) down to the vas tube.
    • Finally, used to spread adherent tissue and blood vessels away from the vas under direct vision

    A ring clamp is used to initially grab the vas and secure it during the procedure. ring clamp_2

    Vasectomy March Madness in Minnesota

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    National media reported the phenomena of vasectomy March Madness last year, and CNN gave a follow up report on this topic last week. What is Vasectomy March Madness? It is the phenomena that more men seek vasectomy during NCAA Basketball tournament time.

    There is no national data to support the trend of vasectomy March Madness. Dr. Ed Sabanegh, chairman of the Department of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic told CNN that they performed 40 or 50 more vasectomies a month before and during the 68-team basketball tourney.

    One Stop Medical Center in MN reported that we didn’t notice a trend with vasectomies in Minnesota during the NCAA Basketball tournament last year. We monitored it closely this year, and we did notice big jump in vasectomy procedures in the past few weeks although other factors may play a role, too, such as lowering price and the convenient one trip vasectomy service system.

    Men can do two things at once; recover from their vasectomy and catch some great basketball action. It just may become a trend. Pick your favorite sport and time your procedure with the games you want to watch. It may be the World Series, The Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup playoffs that you want to watch with your wife’s approval during your recovery time.

    New Study showed Recession Drove More Men to Have Vasectomy

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    According to a study presented at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine on October 15, 2013, there was an increase in the rate of vasectomies performed each year from 2005 to 2012, which coincided with the recession starting in 2007. The increasing trend of vasectomies plateaued at the end of the recession in 2012. The researchers interviewed about 1,700 men who had a vasectomy consultation at a clinic in Wisconsin. About 1,450 of the men went through with the vasectomy procedure.

    The studies showed that recession drove men to have a vasectomy earlier. Men who received vasectomy consultation in the years 2005-2008 had on average 3.1 children, a number that fell to 2.3 following the 2008 recession.

    The study researcher Dr. Anand Shridharani, a practicing urologist in Milwaukee, thinks that the increase in vasectomy rates mirrors the decrease in average income, which could be taken as a measure of economic health. He believes the economy plays a role in trying to prevent having unintended children because of the economic burden of having a child. Another possible factor is that people may have become more educated about various options for contraception, including vasectomy.

    More studies are needed in the future to prove the trend that the recession influences more Americans to decide against having another child with abortions and vasectomies.

    Easy™ Vasectomy in Minnesota

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    We know you don’t like scalpels and needles, we know you don’t like multiple trips in order to have a vasectomy, and we know you don’t like to pay a lot of money for a vasectomy. So we developed the most convenient, affordable, and efficient system to help you to get the vasectomy done in a single trip.

    Here is how it works.
    (1) Initial consultations and post vasectomy follow ups are not required.
    (2) Before scheduling a vasectomy:

    • Download the Vasectomy Handout, fill out the demographic form, and review the instructions, general information and consent. Bring the seven page vasectomy handout with you on the procedure day. You also review more information in vasectomy page,
    • Watch counseling video. Dr. Shu was personally trained by Dr. Stein, and he uses the same techniques that Dr. Stein uses.
    • Consider payments options. We bill your insurance or charge $640 for the cash patients.
    • Select a location: Edina or Shoreview.
    • You don’t need to buy an athletic supporter, we provide you with one for free.
    • The vasectomy procedure is done under local anesthesia within ten minutes, and you are able to drive home by yourself.

    Easy™ Vasectomy is so easy, a single trip and 10 minutes procedure.

    Dr.Shu performed six vasectomies on World Vasectomy Day.

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    Oct 18th was World Vasectomy Day. Dr. Shu participated in the international event as part of a global effort. 1,000 men in 25 countries took the ultimate snip to show they care about the growing strain that population is placing on the planet’s resources, their families, and themselves. The goal of World Vasectomy Day is to raise awareness about the environmental impact of rising population on the planet and men’s roles in family planning and vasectomy as a solution to prevent unintended pregnancies. pizza

    Dr.Shu performed six vasectomies on World Vasectomy Day. These patients received free large pizzas and athletic supporters. Some of them took the pictures as a meaningful moment in their life. One of them sent the information to the “Late Show with David Letterman” right after his vasectomy.

    We believe that October 18 is becoming a special day every year for many men and families all over the world.

    Dr. Shu had Own Vasectomy Done

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    Dr. Shu has performed hundreds of no scalpel vasectomies in his office over the past years. He recently went to Tampa for vasectomy reversal training. While he was learning the reversal techniques from Dr. Doug Stein, he asked Dr. Stein to do the vasectomy for him. Dr. Stein is the world’s most prolific vasectomist, who has performed more than 30,000 vasectomies and 1500 vasectomy reversals, and he will perform vasectomies in front of an audience at the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) – Australia’s national science hub – to launch the inaugural World Vasectomy Day on October 18th, 2013.

    When we asked Dr. Shu why he had the vasectomy done, he stated that he had three lovely children and has completed his family. More importantly, he plans to expand his vasectomy practice, so he wanted to know how his patients experience vasectomies.

    “Of course, I didn’t need an initial consultation”, Dr. Shu said. “When Dr. Stein finished all vasectomy patients at the end of day, he said, Steven, your turn. I lied down on the exam table, and in less than eight minutes, my vasectomy was done with no scalpel, no needle and no sutures. I didn’t feel any pain during the procedure except mild discomfort after the numbing medicine went away, so I took Tylenol since I continued my reversal training next day. I wore the athletic supporter for two days. I was back to see my patients right after I came back from Tampa, and I didn’t take any days off, although this is not recommended.”

    Dr. Shu told his medical staff that he had a very good experience from his own vasectomy. Now he is able to share his experience with his vasectomy patients. We lowered our price of vasectomy, put more practical information on our website, and simplified the whole process from consultation to vasectomy and post care. We are confident that we are going to be the number one vasectomy and reversal center in Minnesota.

    Free Large Pizza and Athletic Supporter on World Vasectomy Day on October 18th

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    Dr. Shu participates in the international event, World Vasectomy Day. The vasectomies we are offering on World Vasectomy Day are part of a global effort. If you have the vasectomies done on October 18th, you will receive a free large pizza and a free athletic supporter.

    WVD

    For more information: World Vasectomy Day, the vasectomist.

    On October 18, 2013 men all over the world, whose families are complete, will dedicate their vasectomy to Planet Earth in a world-first vasectomy-athon to launch the inaugural World Vasectomy Day (WVD). The goal is to raise awareness about the environmental impact of rising population on the planet, men’s role in family planning and vasectomy as a solution to prevent unintended pregnancies.

    1,000 men in 25 countries will take the ultimate snip to show they care about the growing strain that population is placing on the planet’s resources, their families and themselves.

    Benefits of Open-ended Vasectomy in Minnesota

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    More men in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas know about no scalpel vasectomy, but not many of them know about the open-ended vasectomy. The open ended technique leaves the testicular end open, which improves reversibility and lessens the chance of long term chronic pain.

    In closed-end vasectomy, blocking the normal exit of sperm in a vasectomy can increase the chance of pain due to elevated pressure within your testes secondary to accumulating fluid, thickening sperm debris and swelling (i.e.dilation of seminiferous tubules).

    Open-ended vasectomy Technique:
    1) Cut the vas. It is unnecessary to remove a segment
    2) Cauterize the prostatic end with eye cautery and seal it with surrounding fascia using a clip
    3) Do not cauterize the testicular end

    Research shows that these potential problems can be avoided if you leave the testicular end open. Granuloma formed at the cut end of the testicular end acts as a natural safety valve because it does not seal completely, which leads to a reduced rate of post vasectomy pain.

    The open-ended technique results in less scarring than when cautery is used and provides an easier vasectomy reversal in men who choose reversal later in life.

    Concerns with theOpen-ended vasectomy:
    1) If the fascia is not adequately closed over the prostate end of the vas, recanalization can occur. It is important to use the proper cautery technique and implement an adequate barrier of fascia between the cut ends of the vas.
    2) Elevated serum levels of anti-sperm antibodies could be a little more common, which may cause a very minor effect on vasectomy reversal. But 50-70% of traditionally closed-ended vasectomized men have elevated serum levels of anti-sperm antibodies anyway.

    What is World Vasectomy Day? | Minnesota

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    WVD

    For more information: www.indiegogo.com/projects/world-vasectomy-day, www.thevasectomist.net

    On October 18, 2013 men all over the world, whose families are complete, will dedicate their vasectomy to Planet Earth in a world-first vasectomy-athon to launch the inaugural World Vasectomy Day (WVD). The goal is to raise awareness about the environmental impact of rising population on the planet, men’s role in family planning and vasectomy as a solution to prevent unintended pregnancies.

    1,000 men in 25 countries will take the ultimate snip to show they care about the growing strain that population is placing on the planet’s resources, their families and themselves.

    Why World Vasectomy Day?
    WVD is a chance for men all over the world to make a very personal choice that has a profoundly public impact on our present and our future. We are asking men who do not want more children to join forces to shoulder the burden of family planning and in so doing, fight for their family, their community, their country and our planet.

    WVD will be a world-class knowledge-sharing forum addressing critical science related issues within the context of a highly innovative and ambitious multiplatform public event. But we need YOUR HELP to get there.

    What will Happen on World Vasectomy Day?Dr. Stein
    vasectomies performed: The world’s most prolific vasectomist, Dr Doug Stein will perform vasectomies in front of an audience at the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) – Australia’s national science hub – to launch the inaugural World Vasectomy Day.

    Streamed live: The event will be the world’s first live-streamed vasectomy-athon. Dr Stein will field questions from both the live Adelaide audience and an international online audience.

    Discussion: There will be a gathering of diverse thought leaders including population expert and author of The Population Bomb Professor Paul Ehrlich who will weigh in on the social, political, cultural and ethical issues raised by the event and Dr Stein’s mission to save the planet… one vasectomy at a time.

    Multiple locations around the globe: While Dr Stein performs vasectomies live from the RiAus in an unorthodox ‘operating theater’, doctors around the world will also perform vasectomies, connected to the event via Skype and social media platforms.

    Does Vasectomy increase the risk for prostate cancer?

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    Two decades ago, several studies showed conflicting results on the correlations between vasectomy and prostate cancer, which received media attention at that time. The current conclusion is that there is an insufficient basis for recommending any change in the current clinical practice on vasectomy.

    You should know these three important concepts on this issue.

    • The validity of a study depends on how well the study is designed. Researchers have to consider all possible compounding factors that affect the results.
    • Since the causes of prostate cancer remain unknown, it has been impossible to assure that the risk factors for the illness were equally distributed between the vasectomized and nonvasectomized men.
    • There is an absence of a biological explanation of how vasectomy might lead to prostate cancer.

    In 1991, the World Health Organization (WHO) expert meeting concluded that a causal relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer was unlikely. In 1993, the NICHD expert meeting concluded that the positive associations between vasectomy and prostate cancer found in some studies may or may not be valid. Most physicians in Minnesota have been guided by NICHD’s expert panel of 1993 which concluded there is an insufficient basis for recommending any change in current clinical or public health practice. Providers should continue to offer the vasectomy procedure. It has a long track record as a safe and effective method of male contraception.

    Good Reasons to Have a No-Scalpel Vasectomy in Minnesota

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    No scalpel vasectomy is a simple, quick and safe method for male sterilization. The recovery period is very short, and patients in Minnesota can return to work and their regular lifestyle within a few days. Sexual activity, penile sensitivity and male hormone production are not affected by vasectomy.

    There are a variety of benefits to have a no scalpel vasectomysuch as the ones listed below:

    • The number one good benefit is an obvious one – you won’t have any more kids!

    • Once the procedure is done, there is no need to constantly think about contraception; in other words, after vasectomy, couples in Minneapolis and St Paul can stop thinking and worrying about this issue altogether.

    • Some patients in Minnesota find that freedom from the fear of producing an unwanted child improves the mutual enjoyment of sexual relations, sometimes making it more spontaneous and frequent.

    • Women should not take all the responsibility for birth control. Female contraceptives can be associated with more risks than a vasectomy. Birth control is something that most women have thought about a lot longer than most men for the simple fact that they are the ones getting pregnant. It may be time that middle aged men take it upon themselves to practice birth control. In addition, your woman will love you for it, isn’t that reason enough?

    • One great and indisputable benefit of having a vasectomy for some men in Minnesota is that you will never be asked to wear a condom again. A comic once said that “having sex with a condom is like eating ice cream with a balloon stretched over your tongue” which is something everyone can agree on!

    • Another ancillary benefit to a vasectomy is that you can get a few days off of work.

    Myths of Vasectomy in Minnesota

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    Men in Minneapolis and St Paul sometimes believe that the is a vasectomy painful surgical procedure. However, this is just a myth. Here are some other myths about vasectomy.

    1. MYTH: A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that requires hospitalization and sedation.
    FACT: A vasectomy is usually performed in an outpatient setting. In our procedure clinic, all vasectomies are performed in our office. Like many other office procedures, the patients in Minnesota usually don’t need any sedation. The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes.

    2. MYTH: A vasectomy is a painful surgical procedure involving scalpels and sutures.
    FACT: At One Stop Medical Center, we use a revolutionary no-scalpel technique that doesn’t involve scalpels or sutures. No scalpel vasectomy is a less invasive procedure with a quicker recovery. The whole procedure is painlessly done through a single tiny skin puncture. If you are afraid of needles, we also offer the no needle approach with a “jet” injector to deliver the local anesthetic which provides maximum in patient comfort.

    3. MYTH: Most men in Minnesota don’t consider a vasectomy to be viable form of birth control.
    FACT: A vasectomy is an acceptable and effective form of birth control for couples that have completed their family. Each year, more than half million men in the US choose to get a vasectomy. About one out of six Minnesota men over the age of 35 have had a vasectomy.

    4. MYTH: A vasectomy really isn’t permanent, as the vasectomy reverse is easy and quick.
    FACT: A vasectomy is a permanent male sterilization. The patients in Minnesota should only have a vasectomy if they are certain that they do not want any more children. While a vasectomy can be reversed with microsurgery in many cases, the procedure is more complicated and quite expensive with a relatively low success rate, nor does it guarantee restored fertility.

    5. MYTH: Vasectomy works immediately after the procedure.
    FACT: A vasectomy may take up to 3 months to completely free your semen of sperm. Therefore, couples are advised to use another form of contraceptive until the doctor can confirm that the man’s semen no longer contains sperm.

    6. MYTH: A vasectomy will negatively affect a man’s enjoyment of sex .
    FACT: A vasectomy simply interrupts the passage of sperm during an orgasm. Erections, climaxes, and ejaculations should continue after a vasectomy. Normal hormones are still produced. Some men in Minnesota may experience difficulty with erections or ejaculations, but this is usually a psychological problem rather than a surgical complication. In fact, many couples in Minnesota experience an improvement in their sexual relations because they are no longer worried about pregnancy.

    How is No-scalpel Vasectomy Procedure is Performed in Minnesota?

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    If you are considering having a no scalpel vasectomy, you are definitely not alone. Every year, about five thousands Minnesotans choose to have a no scalpel vasectomy as a permanent male contraception.

    No scalpel vasectomy is performed in an office under local anesthesia. It takes only 15 minutes for each vasectomy.

    Here is the detailed description of how no scalpel vasectomy Procedure is performed.

    • NUMBING THE AREA AROUND THE VAS DEFERENS
    With the patient lying down, the scrotum skin is cleaned with alcohol and a small amount of local anesthesia is placed into the scrotal skin with a fine needle or needleless pressure spray applicator around the vas deferens. Then the scrotum and its surrounding areas are prepped with Betadine.

    • HOLDING AND EXPOSING THE VAS DEFERENS
    Dr. Shu begins the procedure on the right side by gently bringing the vas deferens to a position just under the scrotal skin. A tiny puncture is made in the numbed area of scrotal skin. The vas deferens are then secured and pulled out with a ring clamp through the small opening. The surrounding fascia is stripped with a sharp instrument to expose the vas deferens.

    • INSURING COMPLETE OCCLUSION
    Dr. Shu uses 3 steps to insure complete occlusion: he cuts the vas deferens and destroys the lining of the tube on each end with cautery (scarring it) and places small titanium clips in the vas fascia to separate the opened ends of vas deferens. The vas deferens are then placed back into the scrotum in its normal anatomic position.

    A similar procedure is performed on the left side vas through the same puncture hole to complete the no scalpel vasectomy. No suture is placed in the puncture hole in the scrotal skin. A scrotal support is applied and the patient can then walk out the office. The local anesthesia will keep the area numb for two hours after the procedure.

    Pain Issues in Vasectomy | Minnesota

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    Vasectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done safely in the office. The procedure is performed painlessly under local anesthesia. The patients in Minnesota feel mild discomfort and/or aching in the first couple days after the anesthetic wears off, however most patients don’t take any pain medications after no scalpel vasectomy. Fear of pain is still the number one reason for men in Minnesota to resist getting a vasectomy because they don’t want to have surgery near their genital organs. A good consultation before vasectomy the helps to relieve anxiety.

    Another concern related to pain in the vasectomy ischronic scrotal pain. Pain continues in 3 months or more after the procedure. The old literature suggests that approximately 20% of men will have “chronic pain” following the vasectomy. This surprisingly high rate is probably caused by traditional surgical technique which closes the ends of vas at the surgery or influenced by other compounding factors. Men in Minneapolis and St Paul continue to produce sperm at about the same rate as before, so the sperm have to go somewhere. They typically build up in the epididymis, which is a 16-foot-long tightly coiled tube behind each testicle. Some men become sensitive to the buildup of pressure in the duct and begin to experience pain.

    The urologist Dr. Turek in San Francisco in California did a survey in his patients to examine the issue of chronic scrotal pain in his practice. Overall, 7% of respondents said they had pain, much lower than the rate in the literature. In addition, no man in the survey was self-medicating for pain. He also surveyed healthy medical students who had not had a vasectomy and found almost identical findings: 5% had chronic pain, sometimes in the scrotum, but often elsewhere – and without a vasectomy! He concluded that: 1) normal, healthy men occasionally have scrotal and other kinds of pain, making the scrotum a “hot spot” for men, 2) the prevalence of this pain in his patients is no different from that found in healthy men without vasectomies, and 3) the men at highest risk for having pain after vasectomy are men with pain in the scrotum or even elsewhere before the vasectomy. This data has been reassuring information for all patients in Minnesota to know. We believe that no scalpel vasectomy has very low rate of chronic scrotal pain, and we haven’t had any reports on the chronic scrotal pain from our vasectomy patients in Minnesota yet.

    How to Talk about No Scalpel Vasectomy to Your Husband in Minnesota (2)

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    Women in Minnesota truly carry significant burden of responsibility for birth control. After you learn the fact that no scalpel vasectomy is a safe, minimally invasive and highly effective male contraception, and that most insurance plans in Minnesota cover vasectomy, some of you may wish that your husband could share responsibility in contraception. How do you talk to your husband about it?

    1.You should not force our husband to do the vasectomy, after all, it is his body and his vas. He should feel the freedom to say yes or no.

    2.Explore all options with your husband first, then discuss the pros and cons without bias. People are most able to take in information when they can let their guard down. In other words, have this part of the process be as neutral as possible. If your husband feels pressure, he is less likely to fairly weigh the options.

    3.Find a good time to discuss the birth control issue.

    4.Take your time, and be patient. Let your husband to do his own research online or talk to friends who have had vasectomies.

    5.After finding out more about the no scalpel vasectomy, he will probably discover that the procedure is actually quick, easy, and has a smooth recovery. When men make the vasectomy decision, they can feel a great weight lifted off their shoulders that they no longer worry about future pregnancy. They might also feel proud of themselves for sharing the responsibility in the family planning.

    How to Talk about No Scalpel Vasectomy to Your Husband in Minnesota(1)

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    Many women in Minnesota do not enjoy taking birth control pills. Some of them forget to take them every day. This is one of reasons why birth control pills fail. Other people suffer from the side effects. But many women still take it because they and their partners have to use something for birth control.

    If a couple in Minnesota choose to use a condom, the failure rate will be much higher than other birth control methods. It also affects their passion and dynamic during the love-making process. “Honey, I have to put it on first”.

    If women in Minneapolis choose IUD, they would have to do a small procedure in the doctor’s office. Some women may develop excessive bleeding, ectopic pregnancy or increase the chance of pelvic infection. Otherwise, IUD is a reliable and reversible birth control method, but it is not very popular in the US.

    If women in St Paul choose to get a tube ligation, they would have to go through a surgical procedure under general anesthesia in the hospital with significant expense. The tube ligation surgery has a higher complication rate than other birth control procedures. Other tube blocking methods are also options with slightly higher failure rate.

    Many women in Minnesota know that no scalpel vasectomy is a very safe and simple office procedure for male sterilization. and it is a better birth control option for many couples in Minneapolis and St Paul. They prefer their husbands to share birth control responsibility. The question is, if women want their husband to get a no scalpel vasectomy, how do they talk to them about it? We will give you the advices in the next blog.

    Reasons for Men in Minnesota Resisting Getting a Vasectomy (2)

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    • Sexual dysfunction – A deeper psychological reason men in Minnesota have against vasectomies is that they are worrying about their sexual function and masculinity. The psychological issue is that if men cannot impregnate a woman anymore that makes them less of a man.
    Reality: A vasectomy does not reduce a man’s sexual drive or his ability to have an erection or enjoy sex. The procedure only blocks sperm and simply prevents the possibility of conceiving a child. There’s no effect on “masculinity”. The man’s body continues to produce hormones as before and testosterone continues to be produced and released into the bloodstream.

    •Worries about permanency – Men in Minnesota know that a vasectomy is a male sterilization and a permanent method for birth control. This becomes another reason for men to resist vasectomies. With a divorce rate of more than 50% and deadly accidents and diseases, the chances of remarriage are much higher than decades ago. What if you get remarried, and you and your new partner want to have another child?
    Reality: You want to have a vasectomy now because you don’t want to anymore kids, period. We cannot predict the future. But if you truly change your mind, or if your new wife wants to have kids, you may consider a vasectomy reversal (60% success rate) or vitro fertilization, however both are fairly expensive. Also, the reversible vasectomy with a plug may be in the market in the near future.

    • Procedure failure – Men also worry about a vasectomy failure , as many of them really don’t want kids any more. They may have heard stories of how a vasectomy failure changed his friend’s life.
    Reality: Vasectomies are almost 100 percent effect and very reliable. The traditional vasectomy failure rate was about one to three per 1000, while a no scalpel vasectomy with fascia clip technique had a significantly decreased failure rate (less than one per 2000). There has not been a single case report from the hundreds of vasectomies performed in Dr. Shu’s office over the past 10 years.

    • Complications – Any procedure could have potential complications. Men in Minnesota are afraid of vasectomy complications which may affect their sexual organs.
    Reality: There are few risks involved with vasectomies. The most common complications are bleeding and an infection, it can be easily controlled with an evacuation and antibiotics. We have not seen a single case with large hematoma or infection in the past 10 years.

    Reasons for Men in Minnesota Resisting Getting a Vasectomy (1)

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    Thanks to the Internet, men in Minnesota are getting more education on male birth control. They are more comfortable to make the biological decision and get a vasectomy done.

    There are many reasons men resist getting a vasectomy, even no scalpel vasectomy.

    Pain: Almost all men in Minnesota fear the idea of having surgery anywhere near their genital regions. This is probably the number one reason on the list. Fear of pain causes anxiety and makes it hard for men to make their decision.

    Reality: Local anesthetic is given gently with a hair-sized needle or jet spray without causing any significant pain which completely numbs the area, so there should not be any discomfort or sensations during the procedure. If patients feel mild discomfort and/or aching in the first couple days after the anesthetic wears off, medications or ice packs can be used. It is important to understand that vasectomies are generally much less invasive and painful than surgical options for the woman. Moreover, no scalpel vasectomy is even less invasive with a tiny skin puncture and causes much less pain than traditional vasectomy. Patients in Minneapolis and St Paul are recommended to ask questions and consult doctors about any risks and concerns in order to relieve anxiety. We constantly get positive feedback from all patients, and they say that it was much simpler than they thought.

    Australia’s Live Vasectomy in Front of Audience

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    Last week, TIME reported that the Royal Institution of Australia in Adelaide is looking for a few incredibly bold men to undergo vasectomies in front of a live audience. Why? To get people talking about it. That’s right, the institution is planning to hold a number of public vasectomies later this year. According to TIME, the institution’s program manager, Lisa Bailey, said the organization was hoping to encourage wider and more open discussion on male contraception and population control.

    Concepts of Non-hormonal Male Birth Control | Minnesota

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    Over the past decade, several concepts of non-hormonal male birth control were developed. Researchers use the molecular biology technology to target the sperm.

    These ideas include:

    • paralyzing sperm by blocking Cs protein in the sperm. Cs protein is related to the mobility of sperm’s tail.
    • blocking sperm maturation by turning off a trigger protein
    • stopping the sperm production by medication or compound

    Blocking the vas deferens with implants or plugs is another approach for male birth control. One of the most promising male birth control options under investigation is reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance (RISUG), also known as VasalGel. It was developed by Indian scientist Sujoy Guha. The procedure is very simple; a gel form of nontoxic polymer is injected into vas, and the gel coats the interior of the vas deferens and immobilizes sperm. An injection is able to sterilize men for 10 to 15 years. It is also completely reversible with a follow-up injection that dissolves the gel.

    As of right now, no scalpel vasectomy is the best bet for Minnesota men, as it is safe and effective!

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