: A preoperative interactive consultation on vasectomy is an important step in planning on vasectomy in Minnesota. We recommend that a preoperative consultation should be conducted in person, so the vasectomy consultation will be more effective.
The minimum and necessary concepts that should be discussed in a preoperative vasectomy consultation include the following: (based on American Urological Association Guideline)
- Vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception.
- Vasectomy does not produce immediate sterility.
- Following vasectomy, another form of contraception is required until vas occlusion is confirmed by post-vasectomy semen analysis.
- Even after vas occlusion is confirmed, vasectomy is not 100% reliable in preventing pregnancy.The risk of pregnancy after vasectomy is approximately 1 in 2,000.
- Repeat vasectomy is necessary in ≤1% of vasectomies, provided that a technique for vas occlusion known to have a low occlusive failure rate has been used.
- Patients should refrain from ejaculation for approximately one week after vasectomy.
- Options for fertility after vasectomy include vasectomy reversal and sperm retrieval with in vitro fertilization. These options are not always successful, and they may be expensive.
- The rates of surgical complications such as symptomatic hematoma and infection are 1-2%. These rates vary with the surgeon’s experience and the criteria used to diagnose these conditions.
- Chronic scrotal pain associated with negative impact on quality of life occurs after vasectomy in about 1-2% of men. Few of these men require additional surgery.
- Other permanent and non-permanent alternatives to vasectomy are available.
