With the exception of abstinence, vasectomy is the most affordable and effective method of birth control. Explained simply, vasectomy is male sterilisation by cutting or sealing the tubes that carry the male sperm. This prevents the sperm from being ejaculated and fertilises the female egg.
Couples who definitely do not desire any more children in fthe uture find an effective and safe vasectomy method. Vasectomy is a method of birth control which men can opt for and has several pluses in its favour.
· It eliminates the need for any other birth control measures before sex.
· It is an almost 100% effective step in preventing pregnancy.
· It needs an outpatient or in-clinic surgery of about 30 minutes.
· The risk of side effects and complications is minimal.
· Vasectomy is cheaper than female sterilisation (tubal ligation).
· It is also cheaper than the long-term cost of birth control medications.
A vasectomy procedure is performed to cut through and close off the ends of the two tubes that carry sperm through to the semen. These tubes are known as vas deferens and hence the name vasectomy. The procedure prevents the sperm from mixing with the semen and getting released when a man ejaculates during sexual intercourse.
Vasectomy may be done as an outpatient procedure or even in the doctor’s office. A shot of local anaesthesia is used to numb the skin of the scrotum. An opening is made in your skin by the surgeon. The vas deferens, i.e. the sperm tubes are grasped, one at a time and cut. After that, the sperm tube ends are either tied, clipped or cauterised. Then the doctor will return the ends of the vas deferens to the scrotum. There will be some numbness and discomfort in your scrotum from vasectomy for a few hours to days. In a few instances, some men have reported a feeling of a slight “tugging” sensation. Some have reported a feeling of things moving around. The scrotum incision may or may not require stitches depending on the surgeon’s expertise in executing the procedure.
The surgery may be done in two ways. One is the conventional method of using the scalpel to cut. An alternative, less intrusive “no scalpel” technique is adopted. This method uses a small puncture in the scrotum instead of an incision. The remaining parts of the procedure are identical for both.
Usually, vasectomy is done only after dialogue and consultation with the surgeon/urologist. The discussions, queries and dialogue will centre around:-
· Understanding the permanent nature of vasectomy.
· Establishing whether you do not truly desire to father a child in the future.
· Knowing about your present children and their health condition.
· The feelings of your partner about the decision.
· Alternatives available to you for birth control.
· The procedures and requirements for vasectomy surgery
· Your medical condition, i.e. allergies, blood disorders, skin disease involving the scrotum, earlier urological surgeries, repeat infections in your genitals etc.
· The recovery process after the surgery.
· Possible complications.
· You must sign a consent form after fully knowing all the issues discussed.
Your preparation for a vasectomy surgery calls for certain preparations at your end. You are likely to be instructed to:-
· Shave off all hair from your scrotum right up to the top of your penis, either the night before or on the morning of your surgery.
· Give a thorough wash to your scrotum the night before and on the morning of the surgery. This is to avoid the chance of infection.
· Take prescribed pre-operative medicines, if any, at prescribed hours before the surgery.
· Eat, but avoid heavy food before the surgery. Light food and fluids are best.
· Carry a clean athletic supporter or a pair of tight, supportive shorts with you.
Use an alternative form of birth control until your doctor confirms there are no sperm in your semen.
A vasectomy procedure will have bruising, swelling and pain for a few days. You will be instructed to adhere to a few restrictions by your doctor while you get discharged after the surgery. You are likely to be told to:-
· Keep your scrotum supported with a bandage and tight-fitting underwear for at least 48 hours after your operation.
· Apply ice packs to your scrotum for two days after surgery.
· Abstain from any sexual activity for a week or so.
· Contact your doctor immediately if you develop redness, worsening your pain or swelling or have blood oozing from the site of the surgery. These are signs of infection.
Also Read: Does Boric Acid Kill Sperm? Unraveling the Facts and Myths
Vasectomy is one of the safest procedures. Side effects or complications are rare. In rare instances, one may develop complaints regarding:-
· A chronic pain.
· A dull ache that worsens at ejaculation. This is due to fluid building up in the testicle.
· Inflammation. This occurs due to leaking sperms. Development of an abnormal cyst in the small coiled sperm tube located on the upper testicle.
· Swelling of the scrotum caused by a sac filled with fluid surrounding a testicle. This is medically termed hydrocele.
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Ans: No. Other than preventing pregnancy, vasectomy does not affect sexual performance in any way. Ejaculation happens as usual and there is no loss in sexual appetite and satisfaction.
Ans: No. There is no risk or damage to any sexual organ like the penis, testicles or other parts of the reproductive system from vasectomy.
Ans: No. There is no serious pain associated with vasectomy. There will be minor pain or tugging or pulling felt during surgery. After surgery, in almost all cases, minor pain will persist for a few days before disappearing.
Ans: There is no proven connection or linkage between vasectomy and testicular or prostate cancer.
Ans: Yes, vasectomy may be reversed. It is, however, a more difficult and time-consuming process.
Ans: No. It does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. A condom will be necessary to protect against STDs.
Ans: There is no proven link between heart disease and vasectomy.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Human beings, like all mammals, use sexual reproduction to create offspring (children). Male and female humans have different reproductive organs, each serving their unique purposes. Unlike in human females, most organs of the reproductive system in males are situated externally from the body – namely – the penis, testicles and the scrotum that contains the testicles.
In men, both semen and urine are expelled through the penis – hence this organ is used for both waste removal and reproduction. The reproductive organs in males and the entire system is regulated by hormones. Let’s learn about this system in-depth.
Male reproductive system hormonal imbalance usually manifests in the form of decrease or loss of body hair, erectile dysfunction or gynecomastia, consulting a physician at an early stage might be helpful if you encounter any of these signs.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
The reproductive system in males is made up mainly of external and internal parts, as well as hormones. Let’s start with the external parts:
The internal parts of the male reproductive system are situated mostly inside the body and are equally important for regular function:
Regarding male reproductive organs, since the testis is situated externally inside the scrotum which makes it more vulnerable to injuries like varicoceles due to riding bikes, wearing tight underwears. One should avoid these.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The three main functions of the male reproductive system are:
The entire male reproductive system is regulated through various hormones, mainly FSH, LH and testosterone. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is required for the formation of sperm cells, while luteinising hormone (LH) helps to stimulate the production of testosterone in the testicles. Testosterone helps to produce sperm and is also responsible for many male characteristics like muscle mass, fat accumulation, facial hair and sex drive.
Once the testicles produce the sperm, they move inside the vas deferens towards the seminal vesicles, maturing along the way. During intercourse, the penis is erect and hence urine won’t be able to go through the urethra – this allows only semen and sperm to be expelled during ejaculation.
Apart from sperm and semen production, the male reproductive system also affects other external features through the production of hormones, particularly testosterone. Most men will maintain healthy levels of these hormones till they are quite old; however, certain conditions may affect your hormone levels. If you are experiencing issues with your reproductive organs, be sure to consult with your doctor or a urologist.
Also Read: What Causes Morning Wood: A Scientific Explanation
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Healthcare is self-care. So, in honour of World Health Day on April 7, we have answered some of the most pressing questions Indians have about health and healthcare.
The mantra for healthy living can be boiled down to 3 points:
It doesn’t cost a fortune to live healthily:
Only if you have an active lifestyle and use up a lot of calories, will high-calorie food be good for you.
Opt for low glycaemic index and low glycaemic load foods such as oats, milk, chickpeas and carrots instead.
There is both ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Higher HDL levels reduce plaque build-up in the blood vessels. Stay active, quit smoking, control diabetes and avoid obesity to boost HDL.
High cholesterol levels in themselves may not show any symptoms but can lead to an increase in other medical problems such as cardiac issues, obesity and fatty liver.
The first actual sign of high BP may be a stroke or a heart attack. So it’s important to keep track of BP through regular checkups.
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Systolic blood pressure higher than 180 and diastolic BP higher than 110, require immediate medical attention.
Sugar consists of empty calories and provides no health benefits whatsoever. On the other hand, too much sugar can lead to obesity, metabolic issues and cardiac issues.
Higher levels of protein (more than 1-2 gms per kg of body weight per day) can lead to health complications including higher uric acid levels, digestive problems, or even kidney and liver problems.
Content reviewed by –
Dr. Animesh Choudhary
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Sex is sacred but there are a lot of abnormalities that most commonly makes the experience of sex ‘stressful’. On the occasion of International Men’s Day that falls on November 19th, we will come across the most common problems occurring these days in young men during sex – Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation.
Widely, there is a misconception that sexual problems like Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation, by and large, occur in adults but with several surveys that are conducted in recent years, it is found that younger males are more prone to ED and PE. Young adults also feel uncomfortable discussing these problems due to the myth that only adults face such problems.
A recent study conducted by Co-op Pharmacy suggested that nearly 50 per cent of men in their 30s often struggle with the problem of ED. The most common complication among them is stress from their work and personal life.
Around 30-60% of individuals with ED also tend to experience PE. Additionally, ED may lead to PE when people rush to ejaculate because they know they cannot sustain an erection and develop a habit. If a doctor suspects a person has ED and PE, they will typically treat ED first, which often improves PE.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
ED or Erectile Dysfunction is the trouble of maintaining an erection of the penis that is firm enough for intercourse. Males face this problem, leading to dissatisfaction during sexual intercourse for both partners.
This is also important to know that if the problem of ED arises sometimes, like when a person is under the influence of some kind of drugs, it might not be concerning. If this is happening too often or every time you are having a sexual encounter, this needs to be taken seriously and proper treatment is a must.
Psychological causes are the most common among the youngsters for ED. Stress, lack of confidence, relationship issues and depression stops you from experiencing pleasure while having sex and eventually it turns into a lack of interest along with fatigue and sadness. This is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction among young adults and teenagers.
One most common causes of ED among younger men are related to watching porn that is named porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED). Pornographic videos lead to unrealistic expectations of having sexual intercourse with your partner. Reality has a wider perspective to this as intercourse depends on the body to body. Not everyone likes or can have the same kind of sex. What you expect during sex, might not be the choice of your partner and this may further add to the stress.
Erectile dysfunction and symptoms of infertility are often considered synonymous, but this is not true. Having an erectile dysfunction does not mean that a man cannot father children. Erectile dysfunction does not have a direct impact on fertility. However, it can make it harder for the couple to conceive.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
There are many causes of Erectile Dysfunction but the most common include psychological, neurological, and lifestyle-related issues. Physical and Emotional factors also contribute to ED. Stress, anxiety and loss of sleep are a few of the most common causes of ED and this is due to the unhealthy lifestyle, the younger generations usually follow nowadays.
Erectile Dysfunction causes include:
Good sex life is very important at a certain age for both males and females as a healthy sex life also improves the quality of life. It is important to visit professionals to discuss the problems related to sexual activities. Below are a few symptoms that a male goes through if he is facing Erectile Dysfunction:
Having sex is not important but ‘enjoying sex’ is important. Premature Ejaculation is a type of sexual dysfunction where a man has an orgasm and ejects semen sooner than his partner’s desire. In simple words, a ‘climax too quickly is all about PE. A National Survey of Sexual Attitudes reported that 4.5% of young men aged between 16 to 21 face the most common sexual problem of premature ejaculation.
Experts say that PE is not a sign of a serious health problem but it largely affects the emotional wellbeing of teenagers or young adults.
Various factors affect quick ejaculation in teenagers and young adults. Some common ones include – less knowledge about sex, lack of sexual experience, possible interference of masturbation and poor self-perception of who we are sexually attracted to. It is also important to understand that sex is about having pleasure and erotically creativity rather than having intense or aggressive intercourse. Unusual expectations during sex also lead to premature ejaculation among teenagers.
There are many ways to treat premature ejaculation and it depends on its intensity.
ED & PE is a completely normal and common type of sexual concern that affects several young men. The prime cause of erectile dysfunction in younger aged men is emotional, psychological or relationship-related issues that can be easily managed with professional help (psychiatrist). Any of these home remedies, medicines and natural treatments can help you manage your symptoms. Inform your doctor if you have any history of allergy to medicines (if experienced in the past).
If your symptoms persist, consult your doctor to rule out any underlying causes and explore other treatment options.
Also Read: What Causes Morning Wood: A Scientific Explanation
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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