Vasectomy Services Designed Around Your Comfort

No scalpel, no stitches. An open-ended, minimally invasive technique proven to carry the least risk of side effects.

Overview

What is a vasectomy?

Vasectomy is the common name for male sterilisation, a permanent method of contraception. It’s a simple surgical procedure that closes off the sperm-carrying tubes (vas deferens) in the scrotum, so sperm can no longer mix with semen. It usually doesn’t require a general anaesthetic, and our doctors can perform it in under 30 minutes at our surgical facility in Chatswood.

Intravenous sedation is preferred by many, though it can also be done under local anaesthetic. We prefer to see you at our men’s health clinic for a consultation before booking the procedure, so we can explain everything and confirm you’re suitable for an office-based procedure.

Your erection, climax, desire and ejaculation will all be unchanged.
Worth knowing

Unplanned pregnancy can be a nightmare for all concerned. Whether you’ve completed your family or decided children aren’t for you, we can provide a permanent solution that leaves you and your partner free to stop worrying about contraception, with great sex whenever you like.

The procedure

About 20 minutes, done through a single tiny opening in the scrotum

What to know

Vasectomies are quick, easy, and inexpensive solutions for contraception

Costs vary and Medicare covers part of the fee. No hefty hospital charges here; costs are a little higher on Saturdays. Call us on (02) 9411 3411 for an accurate quote.

Compared to sterilisation in a woman, vasectomy is a very quick, easy and inexpensive procedure that can be done in our clinic, without the hassle and expense of a hospital inpatient stay.

Step by step

What to expect

You can choose twilight sedation, inhaled anaesthetic, or to be fully awake.
1) A no-sting local anaesthetic is injected into the area.
2) A tiny hole is made in the scrotum.
3) The vas deferens is divided, leaving the testicular end open to reduce the risk of post-vasectomy pain.
4) A tiny sheath is placed between the two ends to stop them re-joining.
5) The same steps are repeated on the other side, through the same hole.
6) The skin edge is clipped together without stitches.
7) A dressing is applied.

To prepare for your vasectomy, please follow these important instruction

  1. Do not take painkillers such as nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) i.e ibuprofen (Nurofen®), or aspirin, for one week before your procedure. You may take Paracetamol based painkillers (such as Panadol or Panadeine).
  2. Do not drink alcohol 24 hours before your procedure.
  3. You must shower the evening before, and again on the day of your procedure.
  4. Trim hair over entire pubic area with nail scissors. Please shave the scrotum and upper thigh area completely, so there is NO HAIR whatsoever on your scrotum. You can consult ‘Youtube’ for how to do this. See: Manscaping. Shaving down there
  5. Wear firm fitting underwear on the day of your procedure. (ie: do not wear boxer shorts).
  6. If you choose to undergo conscious IV sedation you must not eat anything (including lollies or gum) for 6 hours prior to your appointment. You may drink small amounts of water only, but no other fluid, up to 2 hours before your appointment.
  7. If you choose the local anaesthetic option you may have a light breakfast of tea/coffee, juice, toast or cereal.
  8. If you are unsure or need further clarification, please get in touch with us.

Like any minor surgical procedure, there are risks of bruising, discomfort and infection. These are generally mild, and can be minimised by resting, and wearing supportive underpants for a few days after the operation.

Simple measures such as frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel is a useful first measure, combined with paracetamol.

It is best to avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medication for the first week after the operation, but NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac can be used thereafter if there is any continuing discomfort.

If your work is very physical and involves heavy lifting or extreme movement, then you will need to go on light duties for a week after the vasectomy.
If you are desk based or quite sedentary in your work, then you should be able to return to work the day after having your vasectomy.

Try to avoid sitting for long periods, but avoid bike riding and contact sports for the first 2-3 weeks.

We will give you written instructions about your return to sports. Generally, if you can avoid too much too soon, your recovery will be optimised.

It is normal to experience a background aching feeling for one to two weeks post-vasectomy. It will eventually go away. Take Paracetamol ( with or without a little codeine) as required. If aching continues for over one month, you may be experiencing Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome and you should see us or your GP for a review. If there are no signs of infection, you can an anti-inflammatory medication (if no contraindications to taking this) for a week or two, which will help settle it down.

Recovery

Getting back to normal

Day 1

Cold pack on and off

Day 7

One week post-op

Day 14

Two weeks post-op

Day 21

Three weeks post-op

Day 28

Four weeks post-op

Vasectomy information

What to expect

Sex after your vasectomy

Most men can masturbate comfortably after a few days and return to full sexual function after about a week. Your erection, climax, desire and ejaculation will all be unchanged.

After a vasectomy, the volume of ejaculate might be slightly reduced (by about 3%), but the sensation and function of climax is the same. Many men say their sex life improves after a vasectomy because they are no longer worried about unplanned pregnancy. Some say they are able to keep an erection for longer without ejaculating, and therefore enjoy sex for longer.

One very important aspect is that you should not rely on vasectomy as a form of birth control until you get the all clear from our doctors. Typically, this happens around 3 months after the procedure. It takes that amount of time, with regular ejaculations to flush out all the sperm.

Sometimes it can happen sooner, and sometimes a second sample is required a month after the first. Until you get the good news, you will still need to use contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancy

Worth knowing

Many men say their sex life improves after a vasectomy because they are no longer worried about unplanned pregnancy. Some say they are able to keep an erection for longer without ejaculating, and therefore enjoy sex for longer.​

Vasectomy risks

There has been much research undertaken in men who have had a vasectomy, to see if there are increased risks associated with long term complications, such as prostate or testicular cancer. Some studies have suggested that there is an increased risk, but meta analysis of the research suggests there is no increased risk of cancer in men who have had a vasectomy. Unfortunately there are no known preventable risk factors for prostate cancer.

~ If you've read to this point, you're obviously seriously considering vasectomy, good on you for taking on the responsibility! Keep scrolling down for answers to all your important questions... and if you're still unsure, call us!

Unplanned pregnancy can be a nightmare for all concerned. Whether you’ve completed your family, or have decided that children are not for you, we can provide a permanent solution which leaves you and your partner free to stop worrying about contraception and unplanned pregnancy, and have great sex whenever you like.

Make an enquiry today for your vasectomy consult or procedure at our discrete, state of the art facility in Chatswood, Clinic 66. We don't do vasectomies every day, but we sure do a lot of them... you and your 'manhood' will be in good hands!

Common questions

Vasectomy FAQs

Intravenous (IV) Sedation
Vasectomy under IV sedation is ideal for men who prefer not to be awake for the procedure.
IV sedation is a gentle, clean, mild anaesthetic, which is generally tolerated well, though you cannot drive for 24 hrs post sedation (due to impaired reaction time). This is not a full general anaesthetic but does ensure that you are comfortable, relaxed and pain free during the procedure.
This option is preferred by most men, and carries a higher Medicare rebate. It is particularly helpful for men who feel anxious, as the sedation helps them (and their scrotum) relax.
Normal diet up to 6 hours prior to appointment. Clear fluids only for 6-2 hours prior to procedure. Completely Nil By Mouth ( nothing to eat OR drink) for 2 hours prior to the procedure. You will be at the clinic for approximately 2-3 hours in total. You cannot drive after the IV sedation so you will need to arrange a lift home.

Vasectomy with Green Whistle (Penthrox Inhaler)
This is an option for men who do not wish to have intravenous sedation but would prefer something more than just local anaesthetic.
It consists of inhaled quick acting anaesthetic and provides excellent pain relief. You will need to have someone drive you home. Fast for two hours (ie nothing to eat or drink). You will be at the clinic for approximately 2 hours.

Vasectomy with Local Anaesthetic Only
Local anaesthetic is delivered though a tiny needle and provides numbing directly to the area where the vasectomy is performed.
You will be completely awake during the whole procedure, and may be aware of a pinching sensation, though this is only brief.
Local anaesthetic is ideal for men who need to drive within 24 hrs of the procedure, or who don’t like the idea of being asleep. You will be at the clinic for approximately 2 hours.
Please have a light meal before attending for your operation but fast for two hours immediately prior to your appointment (ie nothing to eat or drink).
You can leave on your own and drive yourself home if you have a local anaesthetic.

A local anaesthetic injection numbs the area and a small incision (about 5mm) is made in the scrotum. Each vas deferens is cut and sealed through this opening; the small scar becomes invisible once healed.

Vasectomy is probably the most effective method of contraception that exists. The failure rate is much less than 1%. Sometimes the sperm-carrying tubes can re-join, however this risk decreases rapidly as healing proceeds. Don’t rely on it as a form of contraception until you have produced a semen sample and “been given the all clear” (this will be at least 3 months after the procedure).

Each person is different and we cannot guarantee you will feel no discomfort. Generally speaking, the injection of local anaesthetic brings a brief stinging pain, but it starts working straight away and will make the area feel numb. You may then have some sensation of pulling or pinching during the procedure, but this should not be painful.

You can opt to have IV sedation and you probably won’t feel anything or remember anything at all. You can opt for inhaled anaesthetic using a “green whistle” (penthrox) which provides excellent pain relief without intravenous sedation. You may feel some slight discomfort after the vasectomy but ordinary painkillers and a cold pack will help, and any soreness shouldn’t last very long.

Only you can decide, and our service is completely confidential. If you're in a relationship, we'd always advise discussing such an important decision with your partner.

Yes. We need to know about any previous testicular or hernia repair surgery, since scar tissue or obesity can make the procedure more complex, and about any significant conditions like heart or chest problems. Stop aspirin, anti-inflammatories, steroids or any blood-thinning medication (including fish oils) for a week beforehand; ask us if you're unsure.

For men, it's essentially vasectomy or condoms. For your partner, female sterilisation is a permanent surgical option, and IUDs, implants or injections are effective long-term but reversible alternatives. If there's any doubt about wanting children in future, reversible contraception is worth considering; we can talk through what suits your circumstances.

It should be considered permanent. Reversal or ICSI (as part of IVF) are possible ways to father children afterwards, but both are expensive (reversal over $6,000, more without private health cover) and may not succeed. Sperm freezing beforehand is another option, with its own storage costs.

No. Sperm left beyond the vasectomy site clears gradually over some weeks, so you'll need contraception for at least 3 months. We test a semen sample at 3 months, and again if needed; it can take up to 25 ejaculations to fully clear. Even after the all-clear, there's still a small chance of late failure.

Vasectomy is low-risk, but possible complications include bruising or swelling (common, resolves in 1-2 weeks), superficial bleeding, a deep haematoma (a larger blood collection, can take up to 3 months to resolve), wound infection (around 1% of men, usually needs antibiotics), sperm granuloma, congestion (a feeling of pressure for 2-12 weeks), Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (under 1% of men), and rarely, failure from the tubes re-joining, usually caught by the 3-month test.

Your testicles keep producing sperm, but it's simply reabsorbed since it can no longer get through. Hormones and ejaculation are unaffected; sperm is only about 3% of semen volume, so the main difference is what's not there. Your erection is unaffected too.

There's no change to hormones, ejaculation or orgasm, so there's no reason it should affect your sex life negatively; many couples find it improves things once they're not worrying about unplanned pregnancy. You can resume usual sexual activity 5-7 days afterwards.

You'll be at the clinic for about an hour (two with IV sedation), then it's worth taking it easy for a day or two. Physical work needs about a week off plus a week of light duties; desk-based work, a couple of days. You can drive yourself home after local anaesthetic, but need a lift after IV sedation or Penthrox.

There's no conclusive evidence linking vasectomy to prostate or testicular cancer. We still advise regular health screenings for all men, vasectomy or not, and getting into the habit of checking your own testicles for lumps or hardness.

No. Vasectomy doesn't protect against HIV or other STIs. Condoms remain the best protection if you're sexually active with casual partners.

Gentle exercise like limited walking is fine in the first week. Avoid strenuous sport for at least 2 weeks (no cycling for 3 weeks) and contact sport for 4 weeks. Keep the wound area clean and dry for the first week.

Why Clinic 66

You're in good hands

The best doctors, nurses and facilities, for the best possible care.

Talk to us, in confidence

No referral, no judgement. Call or text for a confidential chat, or book online whenever you're ready.

Vasectomy at a glance

Duration

~20 mins

Anaesthetic

Local, twilight or inhaled

Stitches

None

IV sedation recovery

~2 hours

Time off work

0-7 days

Effective from

~3 months

Before you come in

No NSAIDs or alcohol for 24 hours prior; shower and shave the scrotal region beforehand.

Patients may sip small amounts of water up until arrival, aligned with the national "Sip to Send" policy

Contact Information

In the event of an emergency, go to your nearest emergency department.

How would you like to see us?

Select the option that best suits your location and needs.

In-Clinic Appointment (Chatswood, NSW)

Visit our accredited private day surgery in Sydney for procedural care, physical examinations, and face-to-face consultations.

Telehealth / Online (Australia-Wide)

Secure video or phone consultations from the privacy of your own home. Available to patients anywhere in Australia.