For couples ... a vasectomy allows the man to actively participate in birth control

It's a minimally invasive procedure that can be done in the doctor's office

Our medical group has provided minimally invasive vasectomy procedures to thousands of men in Orange County during the past 20 years. Our staff is trained in answering your questions regarding vasectomies - and scheduling an appointment with one of our doctors.

Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure wherein the vasa deferentia of a man are severed, and then sealed in a manner such to prevent sperm from entering the seminal stream (ejaculate).Typically done in an outpatient setting, a traditional vasectomy involves numbing (local anesthetic) of the scrotum after which 1or 2 small incisions are made, allowing a surgeon to gain access to the vas deferens. The "tubes" are cut and sealed by tying, stitching, cauterization (burning), or otherwise clamped to prevent sperm from entering the seminal stream.

Variations of the procedure have been explored/used in hopes of reducing recovery time and pain (in recovery and post-surgery). The "Vas-Clip" method does not require cutting the Vas Deferens, but rather uses a clip to squeeze shut the flow of sperm. This method claims reduced pain in recovery, but statistics suggest a lower overall success rate compared to traditional methods. The No-Scalpel method (coined Key-Hole), in which a sharp hemostat, rather than a scalpel, is used to puncture the scrotum may reduce healing times as well as mitigate the chance of infection. An "open ended" vasectomy obstructs (seals) only one end of the vas deferens, which allows continued streaming of sperm (by virtue of the un-sealed vas-deferens) into the scrotum. This method may avoid build-up of pressure in the epididymis. Testicular pain (from "backup pressure") may also be reduced using this method.

After vasectomy, the testes remain in the scrotum where Leydig cells continue to produce testosterone and other male hormones that continue to be secreted into the blood stream. The sperm-filled fluid from the testes contributes about 10% to the volume of an ejaculation (in men who are not vasectomized) and does not significantly affect the appearance, taste, texture, or smell of the ejaculate.

When the vasectomy is complete the testicles continue to produce sperm, but they are broken down and absorbed by the body.