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!

    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]

    Dr. Shu participating in 2016 Philippine Vasectomy Mission | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    A group of doctors from the United States, Canada, Australia, Poland, will be going to the Philippines from February 21 to March 2nd, 2016 to provide free vasectomies for local residents. Minnesota physician Dr. Steven Shu, medical director of One Stop Medical Center, is participating in this mission. This is the third time that he has been part of an international vasectomy mission sponsored by the nonprofit organization, No Scalpel Vasectomy International Inc (NSVI). It is expected that more than 400 no scalpel vasectomies (NSV) will be done in the 8-day trip.

    The NSV mission is sponsored by No Scalpel Vasectomy International Inc.(NSVI), which has been providing free NSV services since 2001. 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.

    Dr. Shu shares a passion with the vasectomy guru Dr. Doug Stein in Tampa, FL, promoting and providing no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) services worldwide. As an expert in office procedures in Minnesota, Dr. Shu has been enjoying making my contributions to local communities over the past 13 years. Since 2015, he has been focusing more on his international volunteer work in Philippines and Haiti..

    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.

    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 http://www.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

    Dr. Shu Announced to Participate in Vasectomy Mission in Haiti in July 2015 | Minnesota

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    Dr. Shu of One Stop Medical Center has announced that he will participate in the vasectomy mission in Haiti in late 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). A total of 365 vasectomies were performed by the international team in six days in the Philippines mission last month, and Dr.Shu did more than 50 vasectomies alone.

    Dr. Shu shares the 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 last month, and the whole team performed 365 vasectomies in 6 days.

    In the past 13 years, Dr. Shu has dedicated his time to community activism, including the founding of the Minnesota Chinese Physician Association (AMCP) and the free clinic Minnesota Chinese Health Center (MCHC), and publishing the Chinese newspaper Minnesota Times. From 2015 onward, he will focus more on his international volunteer work.

    Minnesota Physician Dr. Shu to participate in Vasectomy Mission in the Philippines in Feb 2015

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    A group of doctors from the United States, Canada, Australia, Poland, and Ireland will be going to the Philippines from February 3nd to 10th to provide free vasectomies for local residents. Minnesota physician Dr. Steven Shu, medical director of One Stop Medical Center, is participating in this mission. It is expected that more than 500 no scalpel vasectomies (NSV) will be done in the 8-day trip.

    The NSV mission is sponsored by No Scalpel Vasectomy International Inc.(NSVI), which has been providing free NSV services since 2001. 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.

    As an expert in office procedures in Minnesota, Dr. Shu has been enjoying making my contributions to local communities over the past 13 years. From now on, he will focus more on his international volunteer work.

    For more information, please read the news release “Minnesota Physician to Participate in Vasectomy Mission in the Philippines“.

    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

    World Vasectomy Day FAQ | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    What is World Vasectomy Day?
    For World Vasectomy Day, an annual observance, doctors in health clinics and medical offices around the globe perform as many vasectomies as possible in one 24-hour period. The second annual observance, Nov. 7, 2014, will represent participation by at least 200 physicians in some 25 countries including the U.S, Australia, India, Kenya, China and Colombia. World Vasectomy Day is designed to heighten awareness of and dispel myths about vasectomy, increase access to the procedure, and inspire more men to become engaged in the global family planning conversation, above all.

    What is the goal of World Vasectomy Day?
    World Vasectomy Day is not just about how many vasectomies are completed, but how many
    conversations about men’s role in family planning are launched.

    Who founded World Vasectomy Day?
    Filmmaker Jonathan Stack and urologist and vasectomist Doug Stein, MD, joined forces in 2012 to tell the story of human population’s impact on the planet. World Vasectomy Day sprang from their alliance. Stein has performed over 33,000 vasectomies.

    Where will World Vasectomy Day 2014 be headquartered?
    It will be headquartered in Florida at Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando’s new Kissimmee Health Center. Those vasectomies performed in Dr. Stein’s office in Florida will be part of the second annual Vasectomy-athon, to be live-streamed on the World Vasectomy Day website. The live webcast will include feeds from many participating doctors, interviews with family planning leaders, and live vasectomies from around the world.

    How much will the vasectomies cost in World Vasectomy Day?
    Each practitioner will set his or her own pricing. One Stop Medical Center offers 2 free large pizza ($20 gift card) on the top of its very affordable price ($590). The patients may call 952-922-2151 to schedule the procedure.

    When did the first World Vasectomy Day take place?
    The initial celebration was the largest male-oriented global family planning event ever, taking place on October 18, 2013. We achieved our goal of getting over 100 doctors in 25 countries to do over 1,000 vasectomies in 24 hours.

    Was it a live event?
    The first World Vasectomy Day was headquartered at the Royal Institution in Adelaide, Australia, a national scientific nonprofit organization. It included live vasectomies performed in front of invited experts and a live studio-audience that were live-streamed globally.

    2 Free Large Pizza on World Vasectomy Day on November 7th | Minnesota

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    For the second 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 7th, you will receive 2 free large pizza ($20 gift card).

    WVD

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    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. 7, 2014. The second 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.

    Some 250 physicians in 30 countries are expected to perform roughly 1,500 vasectomies on Nov. 7. To date, among some 30 countries with confirmed participation in the event are Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, England, Kenya, the Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Spain, Thailand, Uganda and the United States. A countdown to World Vasectomy Day will begin on Oct. 7, 2014.

    Last year, 100 physicians in 25 countries performed 1,000 vasectomies for the first World Vasectomy Day, which was headquartered at the Royal Institution in Australia, a national scientific nonprofit organization where the day’s vasectomy-athon was streamed live. A majority of the men deciding to have the procedure did it to ease the burden of family planning on their wives. “They tell us they felt it was time to step up,” Stack says. 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. An open letter to men considering vasectomy includes Ten Reasons to support World Vasectomy Day and concludes that while vasectomies may not be right for everyone, they can be a good option for men whose families are complete, who are certain they don’t want any or more children, and who are certain they are going to be sexually active with women who are still fertile.

    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

    Reversal-Friendly Vasectomy Technique | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Dr. Shu has performed no scalpel vasectomy for 14 years. Recently, one of his previous vasectomy patients came for the vasectomy reversal. He lives in Minneapolis. He and his wife changed their mind and wanted more kids now. The patient was told that it would be difficult to reverse it because Dr. Shu’s old vasectomy technique was quite “aggressive”, although the patient had a successful reversal during the surgery.

    Like many surgeons, Dr. Shu stopped performing “aggressive” no scalpel vasectomy since he started offering the vasectomy reversal last year. He used to cut off a small segment of vas on each side and destroy the lining of the tube on both ends with a cautery. This technique meets the concept of permanent sterilization, but it is not reversal friendly.

    Now Dr. Shu adopted the open-end and reverse-friendly vasectomy technique. He no longer cuts off a segment of vas, and he no longer cauterizes both ends of vas. Instead, he destroys the lining of the tube on the upper end only and keeps the healthy vas as long as possible. This reversal friendly technique will significantly improve the success of reversal in case patients change their mind and want more children in the future.

    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.