Skyline Urology
Urologists located in Torrance, CA
If you and your significant other decide your family is complete, you may want to consider a permanent birth control solution like a vasectomy. At Skyline Urology located in Torrance, California, urologists Royal S. Park, MD, and Alec S. Koo, MD, offer vasectomies and vasectomy reversals. To learn more about these and other men’s reproductive health services, call or use the online booking tool and request an appointment today.
Vasectomy Q & A
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a type of urologic surgery designed to prevent sperm from mixing with other fluids that make semen.
After a vasectomy, your body still produces sperm but is absorbed by your body instead of being released. Vasectomy is the second most effective type of birth control, aside from abstinence. 500,000 American men elect to undergo a vasectomy every year.
How does the male reproductive system work?
A man’s testes produce sperm and sex hormones. After sperm develops, it leaves the testes through a tube called the epididymis. The epididymis connects to the prostate via a long tube called the vas deferens, which links to the ejaculatory duct.
Whenever a man ejaculates, seminal fluid mixes with sperm and forms semen. Semen pushes through the urethra and then comes out the tip of the penis.
What happens before my vasectomy?
A vasectomy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Your Skyline Urology provider will determine whether you need local or full sedation depending on your anatomy, level of anxiety, and overall medical history.
Prior to your operation, the team shaves and washes your scrotum with an antiseptic solution. Next, you receive local anesthesia, ensuring you experience no pain or discomfort. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, simply speak up.
Are there different types of vasectomy?
Yes. The team at Skyline Urology offers conventional and no-scalpel vasectomy.
Conventional vasectomy
During a conventional vasectomy, your doctor carefully makes a couple of small incisions along your scrotum to reach the vas deferens. Next, your provider cuts your vas deferens, leaving a small gap between the two ends.
Finally, your doctor ties off the ends and repeats the same steps on your other vas deferens. If your incisions are small, they’ll heal on their own, but small sutures are sometimes needed.
No-scalpel vasectomy
During a no-scalpel vasectomy, your Skyline Urology provider locates your vas deferens, holding them in place with a clamp.
Next, they make a tiny puncture wound in your scrotum, gently lifting the vas deferens out. Your doctor then cuts, ties, puts the vas deferens back in-place.
No-scalpel is minimally invasive, meaning quicker recovery times and a lower risk of side effects and potential complications.
What is a vasectomy reversal?
During a vasectomy reversal procedure, your surgeon reconnects your vas deferens to your epididymis, allowing your sperm to mix with your semen once again.
There are many reasons men opt to undergo vasectomy reversals, including the desire to have more children or a simple change of heart.
If you’re interested in learning more about vasectomy or vasectomy reversal call or use the online booking tool and make an appointment at Skyline Urology today.
