Did you know that there is an influx of vasectomies scheduled around March Madness?
Sounds like a coincidence? It’s intentional and here’s why:
According to ESPN, “In the last several years, urologists across the country have reported increases of as much as 50 percent in the number of vasectomies scheduled in the days leading to the NCAA Tournament. With a little bit of clever scheduling, it appears men have found a loophole that turns one of life’s more unpleasant procedures into a four-day vasectomy vacation that coincides perfectly with March Madness.”
Honestly, for basketball fans, the timing can’t get any better than that!
PressBox talked with Chesapeake Urology’s Dr. Jordan Angell about the process of getting a vasectomy and got the answers to the questions men want to know!
PressBox: What is a vasectomy?
Dr. Jordan Angell: A vasectomy is a safe and effective permanent birth control choice for men. The procedure itself provides birth control by ceasing the supply of sperm into the male ejaculate via cutting and sealing the supply tubes from the testicles called the vas deferens. Once sterilization is documented, the procedure allows a man to no longer need use other birth control options such as a condom or a female partner on medications. The procedure is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, and the only other form of permanent sterilization is tubal ligation for women. The procedure is performed by a urologic surgeon (urologist) as an out-patient procedure typically performed in one of Chesapeake Urology’s ambulatory surgery centers. The procedure itself usually takes 15-30 minutes under local anesthesia (no need to go to sleep).
PB: Are vasectomies painful?
Dr. Angell: When done by a skilled urologist, with appropriate anesthesia (numbing process), the procedure itself causes minimal pain and discomfort and is very well tolerated. Most men just need to sit and put their feet up with an ice pack and a dose of over-the-counter pain medication for a day or two for any minor discomfort and swelling.
PB: How can one prepare for a vasectomy?
Dr. Angell: Your urologist will ask you to stop any aspirin, NSAIDs [Aleve, Motrin, Advil, ibuprofen] or other blood thinners one week prior to the procedure. The day of the procedure it is recommended to shower, trim the hair on the scrotum, hydrate and eat a normal meal.
PB: What does the recovery process look like after getting a vasectomy?
Dr. Angell: Common recommendations after the procedure are to have a light week for the first 5-7 days. This includes no strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, intercourse or masturbation. It is recommended that men wear compression style briefs, use Advil [or] Tylenol for discomfort and intermittently ice the scrotum for 24-48 hours after the procedure. Normal activity can resume after the first week.
PB: What are the risks of this procedure?
Dr. Angell: The complication rate is very low, with less than 1-2 percent of patients experiencing significant bruising [hematoma], infection, chronic post-vasectomy pain and sperm granuloma.
PB: How soon can one resume sexual activity after a vasectomy?
Dr. Angell: Sexual activity and masturbation can resume one week after the procedure. It is very important to note a man is not sterile right away and will need to use contraception until a follow-up semen analysis shows a zero sperm count. It is also important to know that a vasectomy does not prevent sexually transmitted infections.
PB: Will a vasectomy affect my sexual performance?
Dr. Angell: A vasectomy does not affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection or his ejaculate volume, or testosterone levels. Having a vasectomy also does not affect a man’s libido or sexual sensation.
PB: How do I know if my vasectomy was successful?
Dr. Angell: Because it can take up to several months for any sperm left in the vas deferens to be ejaculated and a zero sperm count achieved, most urologists recommend a post-vasectomy semen analysis. Sexual activity using contraception is recommended during the first couple of months to ensure all remaining live sperm have been ejaculated. The vasectomy can be considered fully successful after the semen sample is taken to a lab and viewed under the microscope to confirm a zero sperm count.
PB: Can a vasectomy be reversed?
Dr. Angell: Yes, the vasectomy can be reversed. Some men do change their minds years after a vasectomy due to changing life circumstances. A vasectomy reversal is a special microsurgical procedure to restore the connection of the vas deferens so sperm can once again reach the ejaculate.
PB: How can men reach out to Chesapeake Urology?
Dr. Angell: Visit our website chesapeakeurology.com for more information on vasectomy or call our toll-free number, 855-428-3222, to schedule an appointment with a urologist in one of our convenient locations.
About Dr. Jordan Angell
Dr. Angell practices general urology and specializes in minimally invasive techniques to treat urological conditions. His expertise includes robotic, laparoscopic, and endoscopic management of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer, as well as minimally invasive treatments for ureteral disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH/enlarged prostate), kidney stones, and the medical and surgical management of erectile dysfunction including penile prosthesis. He also performs the UroLift procedure for the treatment of BPH/enlarged prostate.
Dr. Angell has published and presented numerous papers on a range of urologic subjects including robotics, endourology, laparoscopic approaches for distal ureteral strictures, renal pelvic tumors, and prostate and kidney cancer.
Dr. Angell grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Gilman School. He is a member of the American Urological Association, the Endourological Society, the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and the Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society. He was also elected to The Gilman School’s Alumni Association Board of Governors.
