Ready To Make It Permanent? 4 Things You Need To Know about Vasectomies

If you're a man who's done having children and you're looking for permanent protection, it's time to talk to your doctor about a vasectomy. This procedure will put an end to your sperm production so that you'll no longer need to worry about unplanned pregnancies. Before you schedule your vasectomy, here are four things you should know about the procedure.

It Takes a While To Become Sterile

If you're expecting to be sterile as soon as you walk out of the doctors office, you're in for a surprise – potentially a big one if you have unprotected sex too soon. It actually takes a while for you to become sterile after the procedure. You might not realize this, but after your vasectomy, you'll still have quite a few healthy sperm that are just waiting for their chance to get out. You'll need to ejaculate at least 20 times before all the active, healthy sperm are gone. The best way to know for sure is to schedule a sperm count followup with your doctor. Once your doctor clears you with a zero sperm count, you'll be good to go.

Your Sperm Count Will Decrease over Time

Once you've had your vasectomy, sperm will no longer be able to travel through the vas deferens – their path to the outside world. As a result, your body will stop producing quite as many sperm as it once did. In fact, over time your sperm production will virtually come to a standstill. You may still produce a few sperm here or there, but those sperm will be absorbed into your body.

Your Testosterone Levels Will Stay the Same

If you're worried about a decrease in testosterone levels once you have your vasectomy, you have nothing to worry about. You'll continue to produce the same amount of testosterone as you did before the procedure. A vasectomy only affects your body's production of sperm. It doesn't affect any other aspects of your body. You'll still be able to become sexually aroused and have enjoyable sexual intercourse. You'll also still be able to ejaculate. It just won't contain any sperm.

Reversals Aren't Easy or Cheap

If you're not sure that you want to permanently curtail your ability to reproduce, you might want to reconsider your decision to have a vasectomy. Reversing a vasectomy is expensive and not guaranteed to work. Should you decide to try and have a reversal performed, you should know that the procedure is not cheap, and most insurance companies won't cover the procedure. Unfortunately, that means you'll be left to pay for the reversal out of your own pocket.

If you're ready to get out of the baby making game, talk to your doctor about a vasectomy procedure soon.


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