Vasectomy in Orange County, CA

Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens, which are the tubes that transport sperm from the testes to the penis. This procedure effectively prevents sperm from mixing with semen and being ejaculated during sexual intercourse, providing a highly effective form of birth control.

Dr. Sun Kim is a highly skilled and experienced board-certified urologist who specializes in performing vasectomy procedures. With his expertise, patients can expect a minimally invasive and relatively painless procedure with a high success rate. Dr. Kim will also provide detailed information and address any concerns or questions you may have about the procedure, including potential side effects and the possibility of a reversal surgery in the future.

If you’re interested in receiving a vasectomy, schedule an appointment at our urology clinic in Orange County or Buena Park, CA by calling (714) 752-6835 today. Our team of experts is committed to providing you with the highest quality care and personalized treatment to help you achieve your reproductive goals. Don’t wait any longer to take control of your reproductive health and contact us today to learn more about vasectomy.

What Are the Benefits of Getting a Vasectomy?

It is recommended that men only get a vasectomy when they are certain that they no longer wish to have children. It is the preferred choice for many couples because:

• The use of male birth control (condoms) or female birth control (pills, IUDs, etc.) is no longer needed.
• The procedure is almost 100 percent certain to prevent pregnancy.
• It is much less expensive than female sterilization.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

In most cases, a vasectomy will be performed in-office and is considered an outpatient procedure. Full-anesthesia is not required, only a local anesthetic is necessary. There are two ways to complete this procedure.

What Is the recovery process post-procedure?

Immediately following a vasectomy, there will be bruising and swelling, but those symptoms should subside after a few days. Apply ice packs every few hours to help control these symptoms. Wear tight-fitting underwear so that the scrotum is provided extra support. 

Get plenty of bed rest during the first week. At the very least, stay off of your feet for two or three days. Avoid bathing for about 48 hours because this will allow the incisions to heal faster and prevent infection. Take the antibiotics that your doctor provides.

Most patients are able to return to their normal lives after one week. 

Can you have sex after a vasectomy?

Wait at least one week before having sexual intercourse. Keep in mind, you may not be sterile right away. Ejaculate may still contain sperm and may continue to for several months after the procedure. After a few months, the doctor will check sperm levels to confirm that it is declining until it reaches zero. 

The vasectomy will not affect your sex drive and orgasms. Occasionally, men feel a slight pressure in their testicles when aroused, but eventually, that feeling will go away. 

Are There Major Risks to Having a Vasectomy?

The most common side effects after a vasectomy are mild pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Of course it is still possible for more severe issues to occur, though they are incredibly rare. These include:

• Infection
• Chronic pain
• Failure to prevent pregnancy
• Granuloma (inflammation caused by leaking sperm)
• Spermatocele formation (a small cyst of the upper testicle region)
• Hydrocele (a fluid-filled sac of tissue that grows within the scrotum)

Individuals at risk for more serious complications include those who have suffered testicular cancer or testicular disease, though even in these outlying groups rarely encounter serious side effects caused by a vasectomy. Be sure to discuss your own individual risk factors with Dr. Kim or Dr. Kar to determine if a vasectomy is a safe option for you.

Will a Vasectomy Affect My Sexual Function?

No. A vasectomy has absolutely no proven effect on a man’s sex drive, sexual functions, or pleasure during sex. There are many common myths surrounding this particular question, though all evidence clearly shows that the only difference a man should notice after a vasectomy compared to his life before is that he is no longer able to father children.

How Effective Is a Vasectomy?

Please be very aware that the results of a vasectomy are not immediate. Dr. Kim or Dr. Kar will need to test the patient’s sperm in the weeks following a vasectomy to determine if the procedure was in fact successful at preventing the production and transfer of sperm through the vas deferens. During this time, men are instructed not to engage in unprotected sex, as this could lead to a potential pregnancy.

A vasectomy is more than 99% effective. Of the few cases in which a pregnancy does occur after a vasectomy, a majority are within the first year after the procedure is performed.

What If I Change My Mind?

There is a procedure for that as well! A vasectomy reversal may be offered to men who have previously undergone a vasectomy and later wish to conceive a child. 

It is of course advised for patients to carefully consider this possibility before they complete a vasectomy, as vasectomy reversal procedures are not guaranteed to be effective. Men may also consider storing their sperm in a sperm bank prior to a vasectomy as a sort of safeguard to this potential situation.