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Now Offering Vasectomy Services

What is a Vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a simple, safe, and extremely effective form of permanent birth control.  We offer scalpel free vasectomies.

Vasectomy works by blocking the tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles. This prevents sperm from entering the semen.

Vasectomy is available at our Central Phoenix Health Center and Southern Arizona Regional Health Center, in Tucson. 

What does it cost?

Vasectomy services are available for insurance or self-pay. The cost for the service without insurance is $800.00. 

Does Planned Parenthood Arizona offer Reversals? 

No, we do not offer reversals and patients MUST do their post surgery lab work at an outside lab (we will provide a referral for lab work).

What are the advantages?

  • 99.9% Effective
  • Less than 30 minute procedure
  • Low risk
  • 24-hour recovery
  • No change in sex drive or sexual function
  • No need for other birth control (after 90 day post-surgery check)
  • Scalpel free and needle free procedure

What are the risks?

  • Does not protect against STIs 

  • Not easily reversed 

  • Takes 3 months to reach 99.9% effectiveness 

  • Inflammation, swelling and/or bruising can occur 

Vasectomy Consultations 

If you are a self-pay or private insurance patient, you can have a vasectomy consultation and procedure on the same day.  If you are covered by AHCCCS or federal insurance, you need to wait 30 days after your consultation to schedule your procedure.  Vasectomy Consultations are available in-clinic or via telehealth. 

What your provider will discuss during your consultation: 

  • How a vasectomy procedure is done
  • Risks and benefits
  • Post-procedure care 
  • Alternative contraception for 90 days post-surgery
  • Instructions for semen collection after 90 days to confirm that the procedure has been effective.

 

How is it done?

During a no scalpel Vasectomy, the vas deferens tubes are accessed through a small incision (one or two) in the scrotum. Each tube is isolated, a small section removed and sealed (closed) using either heat (cauterization) and a small titanium clip or suture. This prevents the passage of sperm but does not change the amount of semen in any way that can be noticed - most semen is made in glands above the tubes.

Does it hurt?

A Planned Parenthood Arizona Vasectomy will be nearly pain free since it's scalpel less and needle less. And, it's completed in 15-25 minutes. The majority of patients say that it is easier than going to the dentist or getting blood drawn! The doctor uses a specialized anesthesia tool called a Madajet(c) that shoots a fine spray of numbing medication through the skin and the area around the vas tubes without any needle poke. General anesthesia is not needed.

Is it effective?

Vasectomy is extremely effective (it fails less than 1 time in 2000) birth control for people with penises. But, it can take up to 3 months for it to start working. The semen needs to be checked after the surgery to make sure there is no more sperm in it. Until then, another method of birth control must be used or pregnancy can occur. Most patients have no sperm in their semen the first time it is tested.

Ready to schedule an appointment?

Schedule your in-person or online Vasectomy Consultation at our Central Phoenix Health Center or Southern Arizona Regional Health Center, in Tucson!  Call 855.207.7526.

Call to book a consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Vasectomies Permanent?

Vasectomy is for life. If you decide to have a vasectomy, you will no longer be able to conceive or become pregnant with your partner. If you're unsure about not wanting more children some day, a vasectomy might not be a good choice for you. Surgical procedures do exist to reverse vasectomy, but these operations are expensive and do not always work. On average, only half of couples that try having children after reversal do have a child. For information about this, we can refer you to a urologist who does reversals.

What are the risks?

Vasectomy is a very safe, low-risk procedure, but, with any surgery some complications can occur. Inflammation, mild bruising and swelling can occur. We recommend wearing tight underpants or a jock strap for the first few days after the vasectomy to decrease your chances of discomfort with movement, especially when playing sports, as soreness can last through that first week. 

What do I do after my procedure?

Relax with your feet up on the day of your vasectomy. If you choose, you can return to work or light activity the following day. Most people are back to normal on day 2.  After your procedure, you cannot have sexual intercourse for a week. 

There may be some initial soreness for a night or two after, but this is easily relieved with a cold compress and/or non-prescription pain relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen. Wearing tight underpants or a jock strap for support can decrease discomfort with movement, especially for sports through day 7, as soreness can last through the first week. 

Are there complications?

Other rare complications include: infection (very rare and can be treated with antibiotics), a painful bump on the vas (sperm granuloma), and bleeding into the scrotum causing a collection of blood (scrotal hematoma). Several weeks after the procedure some patients experience pain in the testicles that usually only lasts a few days (about 5%). This is resolved with oral anti-inflammatory medications, like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Chronic pain is very rare (about <1%).

Although unlikely, the continuing ability to get someone pregnant is also a risk of vasectomy.

Are there hormone changes?

Vasectomy does not cause health problems.  Vasectomy does not affect the male hormones produced by the testicles. After a vasectomy, sexual function does not change. Sensations, erections, and ejaculations will be the same except that the ejaculate no longer contains sperm.

Are there limitations?
  • Vasectomies are not easily reversed.  
  • It takes three months until the patient is sperm-free.  Other birth control needs to be used in the meantime. 
  • Vasectomies do not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI's).

 

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