Avoid any sexual activity for a week or so. If you do ejaculate, you may feel pain or notice blood in your semen. If you have sexual intercourse, use another form of birth control until your doctor confirms that sperm are no longer present in your semen. This is because although reversal is sometimes possible, it may not be successful. Even with a successful operation, it may still not be possible to father a child. Advantages and disadvantages of a vasectomy Vasectomy is the common name for male sterilisation and is a popular method of modern family planning chosen by millions of men worldwide. It offers a safe, convenient, and effective permanent method of family planning. Speak to your GP or ask at your local contraception clinic for more information. As waiting lists for vasectomies can be long, some men choose to pay to have the procedure carried out privately.

The test also helps to identify the rare cases in which the tubes naturally rejoin themselves. Who can have a vasectomy? Other techniques also are available to father a child following vasectomy, such as in vitro fertilization. However, these techniques are expensive and not always effective. Before you get a vasectomy, be certain you don't want to father a child in the future.

Why it's done

Gifting your loved one a gift card or a subscription to one of these services can make a huge difference in their recovery. It’s a thoughtful gesture that shows you care about their well-being and want to help make their life a little easier during this time. Having a vasectomy will not affect your sex life. In fact many couples find having a vasectomy improves their sex life as they enjoy greater sexual freedom without worrying about an unplanned pregnancy.

After the operation your scrotum may become bruised, swollen and painful. It is a good idea to rest for at least a week after the procedure. Wearing tight fitting underwear will help avoid bruising which may cause discomfort. A vasectomy can be difficult to reverse. Vasectomy reversal is not usually available on the NHS. You can pay for it privately if you wish. You can request a male doctor, but this may mean having to wait longer. Recovering after the operation

Limit activity after surgery. You'll need to rest for 24 hours after surgery. You can probably do light activity after two or three days, but you'll need to avoid sports, lifting and heavy work for a week or so. Overdoing it could cause pain or bleeding inside the scrotum. It's usually carried out under local anaesthetic, where you're awake but don't feel any pain, and takes about 15 minutes.