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Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is the effectiveness of vasectomy? |
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Vasectomy success rates vary from 71% to 99.8% depending on the technique employed and the skill of the surgeon. The use of cauterization and fascial interposition improve the chances of success. |
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What are the possible complications of vasectomy? |
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The main complications of vasectomy are bleeding, infection and pain. The most serious and the most common of these is chronic pain. The reported rates of bleeding and infection vary widely from <1% to 18%. On average bleeding rates are typically quoted at around 2% and infection rates at around 4%. Chronic testicular discomfort ranges from 2.2% to 15%. |
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Is no-scalpel vasectomy more effective than traditional vasectomy? |
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No, "no-scalpel" refers only to the technique employed in delivering the vas deferens (sperm duct) to the surface. Nothing changes relative to the way the surgeon chooses to occlude the vas. |
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What are the advantages of No-Scalpel Vasectomy? |
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Studies have shown that the risk of bleeding with no-scalpel is about half that of traditional vasectomy. The infection rate is a fourth that of traditional methods and pain is reduced by 25%. |
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Why are the vasectomy success rates and complication rates referenced here different from those my doctor quoted? |
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The rates referred to on this website are from the published literature and often reflect averaged data from many different studies, reflecting various techniques and surgical skill levels. Your doctor may use advanced techniques and be highly experienced in which case his results would be better than average. |
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How does no-scalpel vasectomy differ from traditional techniques? |
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In traditional vasectomy a scalpel is used to cut through the scrotum after which the surgeon locates the vasal sheath and then lifts it up and out with special forceps. In no-scalpel vasectomy the vas is located before the scrotum is pierced and held in place through the skin with a special C-shaped clamp. Sharp pointed forceps are then used to pierce through the scrotal wall and dissect through the layers of tissue down to the bare vas. The vas is then delivered to the surface where it is occluded by one of several possible methods. No scalpel is involved. |
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How long will it be until I can rely on my vasectomy for birth control? |
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Typically as soon as you pass your semen analysis your doctor will clear you for unprotected intercourse. Some doctors require two semen analyses. The time-frame for your first semen analysis will range from 6-weeks to 16-weeks. The likelihood for clearing your semen analysis will depend in part on the criteria used by your doctor to declare the treatment successful. Typically you should plan to have at least 20 ejaculations before going in for your semen analysis – but more would improve your chances of success. |
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What if I don’t have a semen analysis or decide to have unprotected intercourse before my semen analysis? |
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You might get your partner pregnant. About half of the vasectomy failures occur because the man did not use another form of birth control until a successful semen analysis. There is still millions of viable sperm in your system “down-stream” from the occlusion. It takes weeks or months and a number of ejaculations to clear the live sperm from your reproductive tract. Most surgeons will ask you to have at least 20 ejaculations before turning in your first semen sample. |
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Once I pass my semen analysis am I totally protected from fatherhood? |
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Theoretically yes. However, vasectomies can fail later – a phenomenon called; recanalization. Recanalization occurs when small tubules form through the granulomatious tissue. Sperm can sometimes make their way through these tubules to the other side. Recanalization rates as high as 3.3% have been reported in large studies. The SpermCheck® home-based semen analysis kit allows men to periodically confirm their sterility. |
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What are the newest cutting-edge advancements in male contraception? |
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There have been various novel devices under development for many years. Few have made it to market. The “Male-Pill” has also been under development for years, but so far does not appear to be close to market readiness. The Pro-Vas Occlusion Device is the newest advancement to appear on the market. It eliminates the need to cut or cauterize the vas deferens and relies on a titanium spring clip to occlude the vas deferens, blocking the flow of sperm. |
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What is Pro-Vas Occlusion? |
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Beside overall effectiveness, two other goals that many men have is to minimize pain and trauma to the vas deferens so that if a later reversal is attempted the vas will be in good shape and sufficient tissue will be available to easily rejoin the ends. The Pro-Vas device was designed with these objectives in mind. |
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Since Pro-Vas if new, how do I know it will be effective? |
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Confirmation of the success of your Pro-Vas procedure will be provided by your semen analysis which all vasectomy patients have generally 8-12 weeks following their procedure. You will be instructed by your surgeon to use an alternative form of birth control until after you have passed your semen analysis. Studies have shown late failure in traditional vasectomy patients even after passing a semen analysis as high as 2-3%. All Pro-Vas patients are offered two free SpermCheck home-based semen analysis test kits to allow them to confirm their ongoing sterility. Another way, that Pro-Vas provides Peace-of-Mind for men who choose this new less invasive alternative treatment. |
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Since Pro-Vas does not require the sperm duct to be cut, is it reversible? |
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Like vasectomy, Pro-Vas occlusion should be considered permanent by those who choose it. However, a procedure called vasovasostomy has been developed to reverse such procedures. Vasovasostomies are successful in terms of patency (sperm found in the semen) at rates between 75% and 86% and pregnancy rates between 45% and 70%. Many surgeons express the opinion that Pro-Vas patients should be easier to reverse but this has yet to be demonstrated. |
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How does the effectiveness of Pro-Vas compare with that of vasectomy? |
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The effectiveness of using the Pro-Vas applier for permanent male sterilization has not been evaluated in comparison to standard vasectomy procedures. |
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How much does Pro-Vas cost? |
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The Pro-Vas procedure is covered by insurance just like a vasectomy would be, but the Pro-Vas device itself may or may not be covered by insurance. In any case total reimbursement for the Pro-Vas device by your insurance provider will be pursued on your behalf at no additional cost. If your insurance provider approves the claim you may owe nothing further. If they deny the claim there may be an extra charge for the Pro-Vas device. However, be assured that Pro-Vas is both affordable and highly cost effective considering the benefits afforded by the less invasive approach. Ask your surgeon for specific pricing on the Pro-Vas procedure which will vary from doctor to doctor. |
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