When a man has a vasectomy, the tubes in his scrotum that carry sperm are cut or blocked, so they can no longer produce pregnancy-causing sperm. This is a permanent form of birth control, and it can’t be reversed. A man should only have a vasectomy if he’s completely sure he doesn’t want to get pregnant ever again. The decision isn’t taken lightly by most men, so they usually discuss their options and weigh the pros and cons with their doctors.

Generally, a vasectomy takes between 15 and 30 minutes. It’s done in the doctor’s office or hospital outpatient surgery center, and the patient is sedated during the procedure. Afterward, he has to wait a few hours to wake up, and he might be sore for a few days after the surgery. The doctor may recommend pain relievers like ibuprofen (like Advil and Motrin) or naproxen (like Aleve). The patient should avoid aspirin, which can thin the blood and cause bleeding during recovery.

Before the surgery vasectomy treatment in Winnipeg at MHC, the patient should shave the entire scrotum, including the area around the penis. It’s also important to wash the groin and scrotum the night before or the morning of the procedure. Several hours before surgery, the patient should take any specific preoperative medications as directed. He should also bring a clean athletic supporter (jock strap) or tight pair of compression shorts to wear during recovery.

The doctor will use a tool called a needle to create an incision in the scrotum, and then insert the vasectomy device. He might also use a special clip or other tool to seal the incision. After the procedure, the scrotum will be stitched up or glued shut.

After a few days, the doctor will check the incision for signs of infection or complications. The patient should call right away if there’s blood oozing from the surgery site, a temperature above 100.4 F (38 C), or pain that gets worse or lasts more than 48 hours. The patient should also avoid any strenuous activities or sports that put pressure on the scrotum for about three weeks after the vasectomy.

The doctor will give the patient instructions about recovery, including how to use the bathroom and how to clean the incision area. He will also tell the patient whether he should use a condom during sexual activity. During recovery, the patient should support his scrotum with a bandage or a loose pair of pants, and he should avoid sitting for long periods of time. The doctor might recommend ice packs to help reduce swelling and discomfort. If pain gets too bad, a local nerve block or steroid injections can be used. The patient should also talk to his doctor about other ways to manage pain besides painkillers.