Self Referral to the Vasectomy Clinic
Rosedale Surgery in Lowestoft provides Vasectomy Services for patients across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the surrounding areas.
For patients further afield, we hold an outreach clinic at Blofield Surgery in Norwich.
If you would like to access this service at either our Lowestoft or Norwich clinics, please click the relevant link below to complete a self-referral form and a member of the Team will be in touch to arrange an appointment.
Rosedale Surgery Address
Carlton Colville,
Lowestoft,
NR33 8LG
Blofield Surgery Address
Blofield,
Norwich,
NR13 4PL
Pre-Op Information
About 90,000 men have a vasectomy each year and it is generally a very safe procedure.
However, in order to give informed consent, anyone deciding whether to have a vasectomy needs to be aware of the possible side-effects and the risk of complications.
A vasectomy is an operation that blocks, seals or cuts the tubes (known as the vas deferens) which carry sperm from your testicles to your penis.
Can I still ejaculate?
A vasectomy may be appropriate for you if you already have children, are certain that you have completed your family and cannot foresee any change in your future circumstances in which you would want children.
A vasectomy may sometimes be appropriate for you if you don’t have any children but are sure that you will never want to father children.
- You have to be a minimum of 24 years old, but it is important to know that research has shown that you are more likely to have regrets about a vasectomy if you are either under 30, or if you do not have children already.
You need to be very sure about your decision and that you fully understand what it will mean. No-one can force you to have the operation if you do not want to.
If you have a partner, you should discuss your wish and agree together which option suits you best as a couple. There are recognised alternatives to a vasectomy and they are discussed below.
What are the risks?
Any surgical procedure carries some risk, but vasectomy is considered to be low-risk, and complications are uncommon.
It is important to note that vasectomy should be considered a permanent and irreversible form of birth control, and it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or AIDS.
Complications of a no-scalpel vasectomy:
- Traditional vasectomy infection – 1%
- Haematoma – 1%
- Sperm Granuloma – 0.8%
- Epididymitis – 0.5%
- Failure after one year – 0.2%
Recovery time is 1.5 days.
Although a simple, safe and common surgical procedure, any surgical procedure includes some risk. Some pain and discomfort may be expected, but this normally decreases and disappears within days, given routine post operative care.
It’s important to review possible risks and complications with your physician.
Bleeding
The scrotum skin is very thin, which may make bruising appear worse than it actually is and is a normal reaction after vasectomy.
Infection
The risk of infection occurring is around 1 in every 100 men (1%).
Such infections usually respond favourably to oral antibiotic treatment, antimicrobial creams and hot baths, usually within a week. Rarely, the infection can be more severe requiring treatment in hospital.
Late failure/unplanned pregnancy
This risk is much lower at 1 in every 2000 men.
**The main risk after a vasectomy is that your partner gets pregnant because you stop using contraception too soon after the operation; that is, before you have been told that it is safe to do so or before you have had a negative sperm test.**
Chronic pain/post-vasectomy pain syndrome
If this occurs, it usually disappears within six months but can rarely persist long-term.
Current guidelines state that the risk of chronic pain occurring is between 1 to 2 out of every 100 men but the most up to date data suggests the risk may be lower at around 2 in every 1000 men (0.2%).
Immune reactions
While many men may experience this immune reaction, current evidence indicates that this reaction generally is not harmful.
Immune reactions can also contribute to the development of clogging of arteries, which in turn could lead to heart attacks. However, there is no evidence of an increased risk of atherosclerosis because of a vasectomy.
Sexual difficulties
However, occasionally a man may experience sexual problems after vasectomy, but these almost always have an emotional basis. Counselling usually alleviates the problem.
Allergic reaction
Haematoma
The risk of haematoma occurring is around 1 in every 100 men (1%).
Early failure
The risk of this occurring is around 1 in 200 men.
It can take up to four months for this to happen, which is why we ask you to wait four months before a semen sample is handed in to the hospital to be checked.
Postoperative pain
Taking regular paracetamol with or without codeine is recommended over anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin, which can cause bleeding.
Painful discomfort normally disappears within a day or two, while a slight ache may remain longer, in some cases up to a week or two.
Epididymitis
The application of heat and the use of anti-inflammatory medication usually clear this up within a week.
Prostate cancer
Sperm granulomas
This lump does not pose a danger and frequently resolves over time.
Antibodies
Alternatives to vasectomy
If you are a couple you need to consider both vasectomy and female tubal occlusion, but also other long-term methods that women can use to avoid getting pregnant.
They include:
- Copper IUDs (which used to be known as the coil) – the IUD (intrauterine device) is put into your womb and can safely stay there for up to 10 years.
- A progestogen IUS (intrauterine system) – this is a hormone-releasing IUD that lasts for five years. The Mirena system is as effective as vasectomy and even more effective than tubal occlusion.
- Progestogen implants – this uses a small flexible tube inserted under the skin of the arm to release the hormone progestogen. The implant lasts for three years.
The main advantage of these methods is that they can be reversed. Like tubal occlusion and vasectomy, they all have risks and benefits. Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about them.
Important Information
You have the right to be fully informed about your health care and to share in making decisions about it. The Rosedale Vasectomy Clinic will respect this and take your wishes into account.
You will need to sign a consent form to show that you understand and agree to have the operation.
All operations involve some risk. If you have special concerns about certain kinds of risks, let your doctor know so that they can tell you more.
Your partner is very welcome to accompany you.
You will be told if there were any difficulties during the operation that mean it may not have been successful.
Before the operation
Have a hot shower just before you come in.
More information:
Stock up with paracetamol to take following the procedure.
More information:
Wear tight underwear on the day of the operation.
More information:
Swimming trunks are very effective.
Trim the hair on the scrotum so that it is very short.
More information:
Shaving is not necessary and we actually would prefer you not to shave on the day to avoid there being any fresh cuts which also might increase an infection risk.
Have a light meal and stay hydrated.
More information:
Post-Op Care
What to expect after the procedure
Numbness
After a vasectomy, is it common to experience some numbness of the scrotum caused by the local anaesthetic.
As the anaesthetic wears off (after 30min to 1h), the scrotum may become sore and some bruising may develop.
Occasionally, if the surgeon has difficulty finding both the vas deferens, the swelling or bruising can be quite severe.
Post-operative pain & return to usual activity
Painful discomfort normally disappears within a few days, while a slight ache may remain longer up to one to two weeks.
Taking regular paracetamol should help relieve any discomfort. Follow the instructions on the packet. Please avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen etc) or alcohol for at least 72 hours following the operation as these increase the risk of bleeding.
Please continue to wear tight-fitting underwear day and night for a couple of days after the operation as this will also help to ease discomfort and prevent swelling.
Wound care
The area should heal fairly quickly, however we ask you to contact us if you are concerned about any swelling or other discomfort that you are worried about.
Should you start to feel in general unwell, particularly within the first 72 hours after the procedure we kindly ask you to contact the hospital immediately, as more severe symptoms might mean that that there is not only an infection, but possibly sepsis (a rare complication of a vasectomy).
Sex and contraception
We advise that sex and masturbation is only resumed after one week.
Don’t worry if your ejaculate is initially slightly pinkish stained – it will go back to its normal colour soon.
**Remember: You must use effective contraception after the operation until your follow-up semen test shows that the vasectomy has been successful.**
Post-Op Instructions
Returning to work & usual activities
You may go home once you feel well enough, usually after around 15 minutes.
Please avoid driving for 24 hours after the procedure.
Please relax for the rest of the day, preferably lying down.
We can provide you with a medical certificate if required.
Most men in office-based jobs can return to work the next day. However, strenuous manual work should be avoided for 4 to 5 days.
Please avoid heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, contact sports, wearing harnesses and riding bikes for at least 7 days.
Taking adequate rest in the early part of your recovery is important!
Wound Care
Please avoid any showers or bath for three days, in order to keep the wound dry to allow for healing. After this, it’s fine to have a bath or shower as normal, but the area should be gently patted dry with a clean towel.
If having a bath, you may wish to add 3 tablespoons of common salt for anti-septic purposes.
Any dissolvable stitches will disappear on their own after about a week but if one is still in your skin after two weeks we advise to tug it gently which should remove it easily.
Post-operative Pain
It is normal to have slight bruising and dull aching after the operation, which usually lasts several days but occasionally longer.
To reduce pain, please take regular paracetamol and continue to have underwear that supports the weight of the scrotum (ball bag) for at least 2 days after the operation, including at night.
Please avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin) or alcohol in the first 72 hours as this can make the bruising worse.
If you have concerns about swelling or pain, please contact Dr Asmail on 01502 505100 or your own GP.
Out of hours, please contact Great Yarmouth & Waveney out of hours service on 111.
Resuming Sexual Activity
Please abstain from sex or masturbation for 7 days after your vasectomy. After this, you may resume sexual activity.
Please ejaculate at least 30 times over the period before you provide the semen sample in order to clear out all of the remaining sperm within your tubes.
Remember, you must continue to use a reliable method of contraception until we have informed you that you have no sperm present in your semen sample.
Post-Vasectomy Semen Analysis
To find out whether your vasectomy has been successful you will be asked to provide at least one semen sample no earlier than 16 weeks following your vasectomy and after you have performed a minimum of 30 ejaculations. This is very important to clear out all of the remaining sperm still present within your tubes.
As the goal of a vasectomy is to prevent sperm entering into your semen, it is vital that you provide the semen sample following your operation so we can confirm that no sperm are present.
Immediately after the operation, you will be given a pathology request form for your semen sample; please keep this safe.
We will write to you with your results within two weeks of the sample being received.
Understanding your results:
If there are no sperm in your semen, the test result is negative. We will send you a letter to tell you about the result.
In a small number of cases, these will not yet be clear, and the tests will have to be repeated.
– If additional samples are required, they must be submitted 4 weeks apart.
Very occasionally semen may be slow to clear and sperm may be present more than a year after the operation.
– In these cases a special test will be arranged after 7 months to confirm sterility.
A few men continue to have small numbers of sperm in their semen, but these sperm do not move (they are known as ‘non-motile’ sperm).
– It is not always clear whether this means you could make your partner pregnant.
– If you are one of these men, your doctor will discuss your options with you.
Instructions for Post-Vasectomy Semen Analysis
You must bring your sample to the hospital, not the GP practice.
You may request a sample container to be delivered to your address and then produce the sample at home on the day of your appointment. However, if you opt to do this, it must be delivered to the pathology reception within 30 minutes of production.
- Samples can now also be produced on site at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (King’s Lynn).
Our advice is that post vasectomy semen analysis samples are produced on site to ensure they are tested within the necessary time frame.
Please book your sample delivery appointment online using the website address provided; book well in advance to avoid delays.