Once you’ve made the big decision to get a vasectomy, the first step is finding a doctor you can trust poking around your delicates. Even though it’s an in-office procedure and only takes about 15-30 minutes, this is no time to be looking for a Groupon or trying to find an ad in the newspaper. Choosing permanent sterility is a personal and private decision, and probably not one you’d like to announce to the Twitterverse by asking your followers for recommendations.
But there are plenty of easy ways to start your search, because finding the right doctor for vasectomy is an important decision that you don’t want to leave to just anybody.
The vasectomy procedure
First of all, you’ll want to find a urologist, which is a surgeon specializing in the genitourinary system (that includes the kidneys, bladder, and genitals). During the vasectomy, the doctor administers a local anesthesia before making an incision in one side of the scrotum with a scalpel to access the testes and pull out part of the vas deferens. He or she then snips a small portion from the duct that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra and seals it with small clamps before performing the same procedure on the other side of the scrotum.
Some urologists offer a no-scalpel vasectomy, which entails making a small puncture in the scrotum, does not require stitches and has a faster healing time. Another vasectomy option is the no-needle vasectomy, which delivers anesthesia to the area via a device that numbs the operating-area instantly and pretty much eliminates all pain from the procedure.
How do you find the best urologist who is right for you?
Okay, you’ve got the 4-1-1 on vasectomies, but now you’re wondering, “How do I find doctors who do vasectomy near me?” We’ve got you covered. Here’s how to find a reputable urologist near you:
Insurance company: If you’ve got insurance, one way to keep costs down is by finding in-network providers in your area who perform vasectomies. Most insurers cover the cost of the procedure and can provide a list of certified urologists in your area.
Word of mouth: Ask your best friend, brother, neighbor who starts telling vasectomy war stories after a few beers at the block party. Your bros won’t steer you wrong.
Primary care doctor: Your main doctor is used to recommending specialists to patients and is another good source for finding a urologist.
Now that you’ve done the legwork and determined what you’re looking for in a urologist, here are some specifics you’ll want to look for in finding a urologist:
- Board-certified status
- Experience – Make sure performing vasectomies is part of a potential candidate’s procedural repertoire
- Accepts your insurance – If you’ve got it, now’s the time to use it
What are some important factors to keep in mind?
Besides important things like experience and insurance coverage, here’s some more criteria to consider:
- Location: From location, to accessibility, to office hours, these can all affect whether you’ll be able to make a vasectomy appointment on time
- Language: Optimal healthcare requires effective communication, so make sure to select a doctor with whom you can easily communicate
- The little things: Think about how you are treated on the phone, the staff’s attitude, and the office’s cleanliness when making your decision
Once you’ve had the procedure, you’ll need to wait to have sex for about a week until the surgery has completely healed. Your vasectomy also won’t immediately provide pregnancy protection, as the first 15-20 ejaculations afterwards may still contain active sperm. Your urologist will recommend that you use backup protection until then, for about 8-16 weeks following your vasectomy.
To monitor the effectiveness of your vasectomy, you can use SpermCheck, an at-home sperm test that gives guys results in minutes and avoids the awkwardness of a trip back to the doctor’s office to get checked.
Deciding to get a vasectomy is a big deal, but the next critical step is finding the right doctor to do the job. Doing all the legwork now will give you the ease of mind you want when you’re lying on the table with no pants on.
