5 common myths about male sterilization

Male sterilization is a procedure to cut or tie the vas deferens to prevent sperm from the testicles from moving into the semen. Doctor Nguyen Cong Minh, Reproductive Support Center, Tam Anh General Hospital – District 8, said this method is safe and effective in preventing pregnancy over 99%. However, the rate of sterilization among men is not high, partly due to misconceptions about vasectomy surgery.

Sterilization reduces male physiology

Male sexual function depends mainly on the hormone testosterone produced by Leydig cells in the testicles along with the nervous system. Sterilization only affects the vas deferens, which plays a role in transporting sperm, without affecting the testicles, endocrine system or erectile mechanism. Therefore, testosterone levels do not change, erection and ejaculation continue normally, and sexual pleasure is not affected.

Some studies also note that after sterilization, many men feel more comfortable psychologically because they no longer worry about birth control, which can indirectly improve the quality of their sexual life.

After sterilization, you cannot ejaculate

Semen is a mixture made up mainly of fluid from the seminal vesicles (about 60-70%) and prostate (20-30%), while sperm only accounts for about 2-5%. After sterilization, the testicles still produce sperm but cannot pass through the vas deferens that has been ligated. This part is destroyed by white blood cells in the epididymis. The volume of semen is almost unchanged, so the ejaculation process still occurs normally, the only difference is that the semen no longer contains sperm.

Loss of fertility

Many people believe that after sterilization, men cannot have children again. Dr. Minh said fertility can still be restored after vasectomy surgery. However, effectiveness depends on many factors such as time (the longer the success rate decreases), the condition of scar tissue at the ligation site, sperm quality and testicular function. The success rate of vasectomy can reach 90%.

IVF cannot be performed

Even after a vasectomy, the testicles still produce sperm but do not come out naturally. In case you need to have a child, your doctor may prescribe surgery to remove sperm directly from the testicles or epididymis, then perform in vitro fertilization (IVF), often combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique. The advantage of this method is that the patient does not need to reconnect the vas deferens, and at the same time controls sperm quality.

Sterilization causes cancer

Dr. Minh cited a number of studies showing that male sterilization does not change sex hormone levels, does not affect cardiovascular function, metabolism or cancer risk. Some possible but very rare complications include scrotal hematoma, local infection, swelling and pain…, all of which can be controlled with other treatment methods.

Dr. Minh noted that vasectomy is an effective and safe method of contraception, and that restoring fertility can be done depending on each case and technique. Men should see a specialist to receive full advice about methods to perform and preserve physiological and reproductive functions in the future.