A vasectomy is a method of contraception. It is an operation whereby the tubes that carry sperm from a man’s testicles to the penis are cut, blocked or sealed. This prevents sperm from reaching the seminal fluid (semen), which is ejaculated from the penis during sex. There will be no sperm in the semen, so a woman’s egg can’t be fertilised.

A vasectomy is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, and takes about 15 minutes. During a vasectomy, the skin of your scrotum is numbed with local anaesthetic. The doctor makes two small incisions (cuts), about 1cm long, on each side of your scrotum. The incisions allow your surgeon to access the tubes that carry sperm out of your testicles.

These tubes are known as vas deferens. Each tube is cut and a small section removed. The ends of the tubes are then closed, either by tying them or sealing them using diathermy (an instrument that heats to a very high temperature). The incisions are stitched, usually using dissolvable stitches, which will disappear naturally within about a week. Following the procedure, you will require a semen analysis after 3 months to demonstrate that there are no sperms in the semen. This can be organised by Dr Trehan or your General Practitioner.

A vasectomy has no effect on sex drive or ability to enjoy sex. You will still have erections and ejaculate normally. The only difference is that your semen will not contain sperm.