Vasectomy - Male sterilisation

With over 20 years experience in the field of Male sterilisation, Dr. Mark McCormick performs the procedure here in our own surgery. At a cost of €400 which covers an initial consultation, the procedure and follow-up care.     This service is also available with a full medical card (please note - not available on Doctor only card). An appointment is necessary and can be made by contacting the surgery. You can finde all the details about Vasectomy below.

Male sterilisation is referred to as vasectomy. It is a minor surgical procedure where the two tubes carrying the sperm are cut, so blocking the passage of sperm from the testicles to the penis.

How effective is it?

there are very few failures with vasectomy but effectiveness is not immediate.

Who is it suitable for?

Because of the permanent nature of the procedure, you and your partner should be counselled beforehand and be clear about what you are undertaking.

Before proceeding, a consent form must be signed (preferably by both partners) and a physical examination performed to ensure there is no medical reason not to perform the operation.

What happens at vasectomy?

Most doctors perform the operation under local anaesthetic, although it may also be done under a general anaesthetic.

A small cut is made in the scrotum . The tubes are identified, cut and sealed over. The procedure only takes about 20 minutes and you can travel home a couple of hours after this.

After the operation.

You must rest for a couple of days and avoid any heavy lifting for at least a week. It is essential for you to have a minimum of two sperm counts checked at about 16 and 18 weeks after the procedure.

Only after negative sperm counts carried out after 16 week end and again after 18 weeks can you assume the procedure has worked and that you can dispense with alternative contraception.

Any early complications?

You may experience discomfort during and after the procedure- but not pain. In rare cases there may be swelling and infection which may be easily resolved. If either of there occur contact a doctor, preferably the doctor who performed the procedure.

Any later complications?

The failure for vasectomy is about one in 1,000. Vasectomy does not affect sex drive so your sex drive and ability to have an erection will remain the same.

Is reversal possible?

Although some centres offer reversal there is no gaurantee that this will work. Couples must consider vasectomy irreversible if considering this procedure.

Patients pre-vasectomy instruction sheet

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The most important part of the vasectomy is the decision to proceed with the operation. This should be done with great care and in discussion with your partner and family doctor.

Remember that reversing the procedure is not usually possible.

Appointments for the operation may be made be ringing (090)6472337.

(1) Try and arrange that you do not have to work or walk about excessively for two days after the operation. It is recommended that sedentary workers should take three days off, including the day of the operation. Patients with active or outdoor jobs are recommended to take a week off work.

(2) Have a shower and shave the scrotum (NOT the pubic area)immediately before coming in for the operation.

(3) Wear good, firm stretch underpants coming in for the operation.

If you wish, get your partner or a friend to drive you home after the operation.

A vasectomy takes 20 minutes to complete. There should be little or no pain , but rather a mild discomfort during the operation, with a sense of mild squeezing or pulling.

Local anaesthetic only is used through a very fine needle.

Patients post-vasectomy instruction sheet.

(1) For the rest of the day after the operation, sit down and rest. DON,T walk unnecessarily, as any kind of movement will increase the chance of bleeding.

(2)Some bruising or discolouration and soreness is inevitable and may last for up to a week, do not worry about it.

(3)A small amount of swelling may persist for some months after the operation on one or both sides. ignore it.

(4)If work is sedentary you may return to it on the day after the operation. Use common sense and if it hurts you to do any particular jobs, stop and rest.

(5)Vigorous activity , competitive sports can be resumed within a week or so.

(6)Resume sexual activity whenever it is comfortable for you to do so.

(7)Support the scrotum with firm underpants.

(8)Avoid showering or bathing for three days when the scrotum support may be removed. After this a dailybath or shower is advised.

(9)The stitch will dissolve and come out by itself within a week or so. A little discharge from around the stitch ofter occures and is not a cause for alarm.

(10)In general, and provided you are sensible, post-operative difficulties are rare. If you have any problems you may contact your family doctor or me, Dr mark McCormick and(090)6472337.

(11)Try and ejaculate twice weekly after the operation to clear the storage gland.

Sperm count.

It is not possible to give a gaurantee that the operation has been sucessful without having two negatibe sperm counts to confirm this. A reliable method of birth control MUST be used in the meantime.

After four months and again at four and a half months, collect a sample of semen in the dated containers provided. These may be sent directly to the laboratory in the padded envelopes. Collect the semen by ejaculation directly into the container or use a condom and empty it into the container.

The results of the tests will be available a week or so after the second test has been sent. It is important to continue to use a reliable method of birth control until the results of the tests are available.