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By Mayo Clinic staffWhile some family medicine doctors do vasectomies, most are done by a urologist. Urologists are doctors with training in urinary and reproductive medicine.
Talking to your doctor
Deciding to get a vasectomy can be a tough decision, since you won't be able to father a child in the future. Before doing a vasectomy, your doctor will want to have an in-depth conversation with you to be sure a vasectomy is the right form of birth control for you. If you're in a relationship, it's a good idea to bring your partner to your initial doctor's appointment. Be prepared to discuss:
- Whether there's any chance at all you might want children in the future
- How your partner feels about the decision, if you're in a relationship
- Other methods of birth control available to you
- What a vasectomy surgery and recovery involves, and possible complications
Before surgery
Before your surgery, your doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare. You'll likely be asked to:
- Stop taking aspirin one to two weeks before your surgery.
- Stop taking other medications that can thin the blood three to four days before your surgery, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Acetaminophen (Tylenol,others) is OK.
- Shower, shave the surgery location and wash your genital area thoroughly the day of your surgery.
- Take medication to relax you 30 minutes to an hour before surgery, if your doctor prescribed it.
- Ongaro T, et al. Overview of vasectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- Sandlow J. Vasectomy. In: Wein A, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/113902114-4/783811529/1445/37.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50036-4--cesec5_2536. Accessed December 17, 2008.
- Clenny T, et al. Vasectomy techniques. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.org/afp/990700ap/137.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
