Vasectomy

The operation of male sterilization. Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure, performed under local anaesthetic (see anaesthesia, local), that consists of cutting out a short length of each vas deferens. After vasectomy, the man continues to achieve orgasm and ejaculate as normal, but the semen no longer contains sperm, which are reabsorbed in the testes. Male sterilization is a safe and effective method of contraception. However, rarely, the severed ends of a vas deferens reunite, and sperm appear in the ejaculate. If this occurs, the man can safely undergo another vasectomy. Some operations to restore fertility after vasectomy are successful, but the process should be regarded as irreversible.