Vasectomy myths and the truths behind them

Every year, more than 500,000 men in the U.S. opt to have a vasectomy. That said, several myths surround this surgical procedure. For today's blog, urologist Dr. Cletus Georges discusses these misconceptions.

1. A vasectomy is the same as castration.

No, it's not. Castration is the surgical or chemical removal of a man's testicles and generally will drastically affect sexual function and pleasure. Vasectomy does not remove the testes and will only have a minimal impact on a man's sex life.

2. Vasectomy is a minor surgery.

This is one of the most common misconceptions about vasectomy. Although it is a relatively simple procedure, it is still classified as surgery with all the associated risks of anesthesia and bleeding. For a surgical procedure to be classified minor, facilities for postoperative care need to be close by. A vasectomy must be performed at a well-equipped surgical center and cannot be performed in a standard consultation room. Thus, patients need access to 24-hour medical facilities should they have any complications after their procedure.

3. Vasectomy causes pain.

Although vasectomy is a surgical procedure, most patients report minimal to no postoperative discomfort. The most prevalent complaint is pressure in the testicles due to swelling. This pressure can range from uncomfortable to unbearable -- depending on how the body responds. Usually, this discomfort will subside within two weeks.

Dr. Cletus Georges finished his residency in Urology at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center. For more articles, visit this page.