Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about scalpel free vasectomy:
Does a scalpel free vasectomy hurt?
How long does it take?
Is a scalpel free vasectomy safe?
Please find below a host of frequently asked questions about scalpel free vasectomy.
“I aim to answer all your questions to ensure you fully understand the procedure and receive a professional service, with excellent quality of care.
Most no-scalpel vasectomies result in minimal trauma meaning you can return to work and physical activities sooner.”
Dr Arthur Proudfoot – FRACGP, BMBS, MACP, BA
The Procedure
The purpose of a vasectomy is to render a male infertile or unable to father children.
The Scalpel Free Vasectomy is a simple technique used to perform a vasectomy in a less traumatic fashion.
Because the Scalpel Free Vasectomy is less traumatic with minimal puncture wounds, it takes less time and it has been documented to decrease post operative complications and recovery time.
Before the procedure you will not need any sedatives, but a medication for mild relaxation is an option if you would prefer.
Dr Proudfoot will offer to arrange a prescription for you to take prior to the procedure to help you feel more relaxed. If you choose this option, you will need someone to accompany you and drive you to and from the clinic.
A Scalpel Free Vasectomy is relatively painless. Afterwards you will likely be sore for a couple of days and should take a mild analgesic. The discomfort is less with the scalpel free technique as there is minimal trauma to the surrounding area.
The procedure itself takes around 30-45 minutes. It is a simple procedure that is performed in our procedure rooms at the clinic (rather than the hospital).
After your procedure, we recommend that you have someone to drive you home, or that you extend your stay at our clinic to be sure that you are fully recovered before driving yourself home.
Dr Proudfoot’s Scalpel Free Vasectomy is a minor walk in procedure undertaken in professional, relaxing environment under local anaesthesia.
The cost is very affordable (and partly covered by Medicare), especially when compared to tubal ligation or the ongoing costs of birth control pills or even a traditional vasectomy.
There are no additional anaesthetist cost or antibiotic prescription charge.
Please visit our appointments & fees page for more information
Safety & Effectiveness
Most medical experts, including special panels convened by the National Institutes of Health and by the World Health Organisation, have concluded that vasectomy is a safe and simple procedure.
A Vasectomy is a surgical procedure and all surgical procedures have some risks, such as bleeding and infection.
Serious problems are uncommon and Dr Proudfoot will ensure you have a plan in place to help with pain management, wound care and potential side effects and complications.
Scalpel Free Vasectomy is very effective and has a success rate of over 99%.
Before the vasectomy you will not need any sedatives, but a medication for mild relaxation is an option if you would prefer. Dr Proudfoot will offer to arrange a prescription for you to take prior to the procedure to help you feel more relaxed. If you choose this option, you will need someone to accompany you and drive you to and from the clinic.
A Scalpel Free Vasectomy is relatively painless. Afterwards you will likely be sore for a couple of days and should take a mild analgesic. The discomfort is less with the no-scalpel technique because there is minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues.
No, after a vasectomy, there are always some active sperm in your system. It usually takes 3-4 months plus 20 ejaculations to clear them. You and your partner should use birth control until a semen test confirms that your semen is sperm free.
Yes, but reversal operations are expensive and not always successful. If you are thinking about reversal, perhaps vasectomy is not right for you.
Sexual Performance
Sexual intercourse can be resumed when comfortable, usually after one week. It is essential to continue to USE CONTRACEPTION until your tests have confirmed there are no more live sperm in the ejaculation. The test is usually carried out four months after the procedure.
As soon as you are comfortable, after a minimum of seven days, but remember to use some other kind of birth control until your semen analysis confirms you are sterile.
Vasectomies are minimally invasive and are not known to cause any erectile dysfunction issues.
The only thing that will change is that you will not be able to make your partner pregnant. Your body will continue to produce the hormones that make you a man. You will have the same amount of semen.
A vasectomy won’t change your voice, beard, muscles, sex drive, erections, or sexual climaxes. Some men say that without the worry of accidental pregnancy and the bother of other birth control methods, sex is more relaxed and enjoyable than before.
Work & Activities
You should not do any heavy physical labor for seven days after your vasectomy. If your job does not involve this kind of work, you can go back to work sooner.
Please discuss your activity levels with Dr Proudfoot for advice in this space. There are potential risks if you return too soon to any vigorous physical activity, sport or lifting.
