Vasectomy

Vasectomy is a surgical proce-dure to cut or block the tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles. The aim of vasectomy is to prevent sperm from being mixed with semen, the fluid ejaculated during sex. Vasectomy will make a man sterile, that is, unable to father children.

Each testicle produces sperm, which are stored in a nearby structure called the epididymis, as shown in the illustration. The sperm move from the epididymis through a tube called the vas deferens to the prostate gland.

During orgasm, the sperm mix with other fluids produced by the prostate to form semen. After vasectomy, sperm are unable to travel to the prostate and mix with the semen. However, the appear-ance of the semen is not changed.

Vasectomy is a common surgical procedure, which has been undertaken by millions of men. It is elective; that is, the surgery is a matter of personal choice and is not needed for the main-tenance of good health.
Although vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception, further surgery can be performed in some cases in an attempt to reconnect and restore the function of the vas deferens. However, there is no guarantee that fertility can be restored.