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COVID Update

 

Services are different during the COVID -19 pandemic, to protect the public and staff, including appointment only services.

Please view Sandyford's full COVID-19 statement and COVID- 19 service information page which is updated regularly. You must not attend for an appointment if you have signs of COVID or have been in contact with someone in the last 14 days who has.

For support for those Living with HIV please read the detailed information on the Brownlee website or contact on 0141 211 1074 or 0141 232 2175 for advice.

 

 

 

 

 

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

Vasectomy

Sandyford Services: COVID-19

  • We are now offering a limited vasectomy service for procedures only, offering appointments first to those whose appointments were cancelled due to COVID  
  • We are not currently accepting new referrals for vasectomy counselling or procedures
  • Sandyford will text you if your appointment needs to be cancelled.

If you are in doubt as to whether you need to be seen by the sexual health service telephone 0141 211 8130. Our staff will be able to advise you.

 

 

The intention of a vasectomy is to make a man sterile and no longer capable of fathering further children. You should therefore not think about having a vasectomy unless you are absolutely sure that you will never want another child.

All vasectomy procedures at Sandyford are carried out under local anaesthesia. Local anaesthetic is injected under the skin surface of the scrotum to freeze the area. The aim of the procedure is to remove a portion of the tube (Vas deferens) from both sides of the scrotum. To achieve this, local anaesthetic is injected under the skin on either side of the scrotum. A small cut is made in the skin and a small portion of the tube is removed. The ends of the tube are then destroyed by passing a small electrical needle down the centre of each tube. A single stitch may be used to close the wound on the skin. The stitches normally dissolve themselves within 1-3 weeks. The doctor will complete one side of the procedure before starting on the other.

At Sandyford the vasectomy procedure is only performed under local anaesthetic. If you would prefer the procedure performed under general anaesthetic, we can discuss this at your counselling appointment and refer as appropriate.

More information about having Vasectomy

NHS Inform website

It's important that we have an up to date record of your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is a measurement of your height and your weight. If your BMI is above 35 we will not perform the procedure. This is because it will make the vasectomy technically more difficult and there is a greater risk of complications.

How long does it take to become effective?

After the procedure you will be given a specimen container and form that will be needed for your sample. One ejaculate specimen should be collected by incomplete intercourse and withdrawal or by masturbation, directly into the container. The container should be handed into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in the envelope provided at 16 weeks post procedure.

A negative specimen is required to confirm that the procedure has been successful. If the specimen shows the presence of sperm, a further container will be sent to you. It can take up to 12 months to confirm the procedure has been successful.

It is extremely important that contraception is continued to be used until we have informed you of the success of your vasectomy. Regular ejaculation helps clear the sperm.

Once we have received a sample free of sperm, we will inform you and your G.P. of the vasectomy success. Once you have received this confirmation, it will not be necessary to use further contraception. The letter will be sent to you approximately 2 weeks after the sample has been received. Please do not phone for results, we will contact you by post.

Are there any disadvantages?

It is a permanent method of contraception.

  • Reversible procedures cannot be done on the NHS.
  • A vasectomy excludes men from free NHS Fertility treatment, if desired in the future.  
  • Sterilisation does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections.
  • Need to use reliable contraception until we have confirmed the procedure has been successful. This will be at least 20 weeks following the procedure.

After the procedure

There will be some discomfort for the following 48 hours. Most men have some bruising and swelling. If you are employed we recommend you arrange to take the next day or two off work. The scrotum should be kept well supported by keeping off your feet as much as possible. Wearing tight fitting underpants often helps. The area can be bathed the following day. Adding salt to bath water can help healing. Any stitches should dissolve themselves.

What do I do if I want to have a vasectomy

You can make an appointment at Sandyford to discuss and arrange your vasectomy. You do not need to be referred by your GP. If you wish to proceed, an appointment should be made for discussion at Sandyford Central in Glasgow. During this discussion a specialist nurse will tell you about all aspects of the procedure including the failure rate and known complications. There will be an opportunity to discuss in confidence any questions or issues you may have regarding vasectomy. If you wish to proceed, you will sign your consent form and you can then make the appointment for your operation. Appointments are available at Sandyford Central, Monday to Friday.

Sandyford Patient Information: Vasectomy

Further information about how a vasectomy works, the pro's and con's, recovery times and answers to common questions. 

Further Information

At the assessment appointment

Assessment clinics run weekly on Monday and Tuesday. We offer individual assessment, which your partner can also attend.  During the appointment all aspects of the procedure will be discussed including the failure rate and known complications.  If you decide to go ahead you will be asked to sign a consent form. This appointment usually lasts 10-15 minutes.

Make a Vasectomy appointment

Call 0141 211 8654 to discuss your options and make a vasectomy appointment.

If you wish to proceed to a vasectomy operation, you will be given an operation date at the time of the assessment appointment.