Vasectomy in Wilmington, NC

Dr. Kirby is an expert urologist committed to providing the highest quality care to patients in the treatment of urological conditions and has established himself as one of the leading urologists in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Dr. Kirby was granted the opportunity to undertake a fellowship in male reproductive medicine and surgery at the prestigious Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Medical Center in Houston, a pioneering institution in this field. During his fellowship, Dr. Kirby focused on honing his expertise in areas such as sexual dysfunction, male infertility, and microsurgery.

Dr. Kirby has authored numerous articles and chapters that focus on male sexual dysfunction, urology, and male infertility. He has also had the privilege of presenting his research and work at multiple national conferences.

Call (910) 763-6251 to request an appointment at our urology office in Wilmington, NC.

What is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a form of birth control during which the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm, are cut. When the tube is cut, there is no way for sperm to be released from the penis. This procedure is considered a permanent form of birth control, but it is possible to have a reversal surgery should the patient change their mind in the future.

What are the Benefits of a Vasectomy?

It is recommended that men only get a vasectomy when they are certain that they no longer wish to have children. According to Penn Medicine listed several benefits of a vasectomy:

• The use of male birth control (condoms) or female birth control (pills, IUDs, etc.) is no longer needed.
• The procedure is almost 100 percent certain to prevent pregnancy.
• It is much less expensive than female sterilization.

Are There Different Types of Vasectomies?

In most cases, a vasectomy will be performed in-office and is considered an outpatient procedure. Full-anesthesia is not required, only a local anesthetic is necessary. There are two types vasectomies to complete this procedure.

Traditional Vasectomy

Dr. Kirby will use a scalpel to create two small incisions on either side of the scrotum. The surgeon will remove a small section of the vas deferens. The tubes are tied, or cauterized so that they are closed and can no longer transport sperm.

No-Scalpel Vasectomy

Rather than making a sizable incision on the scrotum, the no-scalpel vasectomy is performed entirely through a puncture made in the scrotal sac. This hole is so small that stitches are rarely ever required after the procedure is complete. A topical anesthetic is applied to ensure that no pain is felt during the vasectomy.

The process is much the same as a standard vasectomy with the ultimate goal being to prevent the patient from having children in the future. To achieve sterilization, the vas deferens must be severed. These two tubes are responsible for transporting a man’s sperm to his semen, which is stored in the testes. By cutting the vas deferens, it becomes impossible for this sperm to travel outside of the body and potentially fertilize a woman’s eggs.

During a keyhole vasectomy, each of these tubes are gently manipulated until they protrude through the puncture site. Once Dr. Kirby has a clear visual of the area, the vas deferens are cut and blocked permanently.

What are the Benefits of a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

Any type of vasectomy presents a number of advantages to each potential patient. Men who are looking to avoid future children in a way that is safe, effective, and affordable are often considered primary candidates for this kind of procedure.

Aside from the regular benefits of a vasectomy, the no-scalpel procedure also allows for:

• Shorter recovery time
• Reduced risk of complications such as infection or bleeding
• The ability to resume sexual activities much sooner
• No scarring
• The ability to perform the procedure from one of our convenient urology clinic locations

Patients should expect a mild amount of discomfort following their no-scalpel vasectomy. This pain should begin to gradually decrease almost immediately, though a majority of our patients report feeling little to no pain at all.

We recommend that patients rest for at least one or two days post-procedure. Shortly after this period, you should be able to return to regular activities. If you are unsure about whether or not it is safe to engage in any routine task, please consult with your physician.

What is the Recovery After a Vasectomy?

Immediately following a vasectomy, there will be bruising and swelling, but those symptoms should subside after a few days. Apply ice packs every few hours to help control these symptoms. Wear tight-fitting underwear so that the scrotum is provided extra support.

Get plenty of bed rest during the first week. At the very least, stay off of your feet for two or three days. Avoid bathing for about 48 hours because this will allow the incisions to heal faster and prevent infection. Take the antibiotics that Dr. Kirby provides.

Most patients are able to return to their normal lives after one week.

How Soon Can You Sex After a Vasectomy

Wait at least one week before having sexual intercourse. Keep in mind, you may not be sterile right away. Ejaculate may still contain sperm and may continue to for several months after the procedure. After a few months, Dr. Kirby will check sperm levels to confirm that it is declining until it reaches zero.

The vasectomy will not affect your sex drive and orgasms. Occasionally, men feel a slight pressure in their testicles when aroused, but eventually, that feeling will go away.