Dr. Mike Levy

A vasectomy is a simple day-procedure which closes off the small sperm-carrying tubes (vas deferens) located in the scrotum.

It is performed under local anaesthetic in our private procedure room at our clinic, Paddington Medical Centre.

The procedure takes about half an hour. Once the area is numb, a small hole - about 4mm, is made in the centre of the scrotum and each tube is identified and closed off. The small hole is closed with special glue and heals naturally in a few days and becomes almost invisible. There are no stitches and no need for any follow up appointments.

You will be awake.

Remember that a vasectomy is a very small operation and does not justify the risks of a general anaesthetic.

However, you can be sedated if you prefer. ​

If you would like a vasectomy but the idea of it makes you anxious, please let Dr Levy know at your initial meeting and he can provide you with a prescription tablet to take beforehand which will help you to relax. You can also use numbing cream to make the injection hardly felt at all.

Music is usually played during the procedure. If you'd prefer to listen to your own headphones, that's OK too.

There is an initial injection of local anaesthetic that stings for about 20 seconds. If you use numbing cream you will hardly feel this.

After the initial injection you will not feel any pain during the operation. The local anaesthetic wears off after about an hour and then ordinary painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen will manage any discomfort.

We recommend an ice pack (frozen peas are great) to reduce the risk of bruising. After the vasectomy, we also recommend you take it easy and have a day or two off work, or more if your work is very physical.

Supportive underwear can improve comfort.

It is recommended to avoid heavy lifting or sporting activities for a week.

No, not at all.

A vasectomy has no effect on libido, sex drive, erections, ejaculation or enjoyment.

After having a vasectomy, you will still climax and ejaculate as before. Sperm contribute a very small proportion of the volume of ejaculation, and you will not notice any difference.

Sperm that continues to be produced will be re-absorbed by the body as they would be normally if you did not ejaculate for some time.

You can start having sex again as soon as you feel comfortable - usually about a week.

There is a small risk of failure of vasectomy - <0.5%

It is essential for you to submit a semen sample for testing to confirm that the procedure has been successful.

You must continue to use other forms of birth control until you have received your semen report.

Sperm are present in the tubes at the time of vasectomy and so you will need to get rid of any sperm that were "down stream" before the procedure is considered complete.

I recommend 15 ejaculations over a three month period after the vasectomy. After three months you will need to submit a semen sample to ensure your semen is sperm-free.

A vasectomy can usually be successfully reversed by expert surgeons in the first two to three years after the procedure.

The chances of successful reversal fall quite sharply after 2-3 years.

Vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of contraception.

The cost of vasectomy is $730.

There is a Medicare rebate of $222.65

The Out of pocket cost is $507.35