A few years ago, I never would’ve imagined saying the words, “I’m done having kids,” or, “I’m getting a vasectomy.” While struggling with infertility for over three years, my wife and I hoped and prayed for more children. It was a time when our faith was tested, and visits with a therapist were a real thing. Watching her struggle every month took a toll on both of us, but I can’t imagine the pain she went through.
The story has been told a million times: you struggle with infertility, you adopt, then you get pregnant. That’s exactly what happened with us. So after three biological daughters and an adopted son, we went back to the drawing board to reevaluate what we wanted our family to look like. One more son would’ve been amazing, but the odds have not been in my favor.
After watching my wife give birth to three beautiful baby girls, I would never even fix my mouth to ask, “Can you have your tubes tied?” It’s never been a question for me whether I would be the one to “take one for the team” and get a vasectomy. It was seamless and almost painless. Well, I may be over exaggerating just a little—but it’s much easier for me to have the vasectomy than it is for her to have a procedure (mentally, downtime, pain, etc.).
Pre-Procedure
- Schedule a consultation with your urologist. Ask around and do your research to find the best in your area. Don’t be embarrassed there are more men out there who have had a vasectomy than you think.
- The urologist will typically schedule the procedure on a Friday. This way, you can rest over the weekend and get back to work by Monday.
- It’s a non-invasive procedure, so it will be done in the doctor’s office, not a hospital.
Procedure Day
They give you the option of anesthesia, but believe me—that’s not necessary. They also prescribe Valium. I’ll be honest with you: because of my nerves, I took one, and I wish I didn’t. The only thing it did was make me loopy (check out our YouTube “Vasectomy” vlog HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HO4NP7L1C9A). Make sure you wear something comfortable and bring a good jock strap or some snug briefs to keep your testicles from hanging.
Vasectomy Procedure
After local anesthesia, the urologist will make a small incision on top of your scrotum. He will then grab the vas deferens (this is when you’ll feel the most discomfort, mostly in your lower abdomen). He will then cut, tie, or solder the vas deferens. The last step is to sew up the incision with a couple of dissolvable stitches. Once that is complete, he will perform the same procedure on the opposite side. And just like that, within 15 minutes, you’re walking out of the office to go rest at home.
Post-Vasectomy Procedure
Ice, ice, ice (4 to 7 times a day). Rest, rest, rest (all day) for at least the first three days. This is the time you really take the doctor’s advice. I say this because, if you’re like me, you feel that doctors don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ve spoken to other men who thought they were ready to take on the world after a few days because they “felt better” and boy, did they pay. Refrain from lifting more than 20 pounds for the first week. After the first week, ease your way back into your normal exercise routine, and by week two, it’s “go time.”
Every man wants to know how long they’ll be out of commission (no sex). One week is what’s recommended. But here’s the thing you still have to use birth control. To be on the safe side, my urologist recommends three months and 30 ejaculations. At month three, you submit a sample, which he will test to make sure there’s no active sperm. Once you get the “OK,” throw those condoms away 😁.
Effects
Getting a vasectomy does not have any effect on a man’s erections, orgasms, sex drive, or testosterone levels. The only thing it does is cut off the sperm supply from the semen. It doesn’t make you any less of a man in fact, it makes you more of a man for stepping up for your wife and not putting her through any more pain than what she’s already been through.
If you’re on the market for a vasectomy, I hope this blog gives you the comfort of knowing it’s the better decision for a married couple. Thanks for reading!!