When considering a vasectomy, a common question that arises is: “What kind of doctor performs a vasectomy?” The specialist you need to see for this procedure is a urologist.
A urologist is a doctor who specializes in the male urinary tract and reproductive system. Their expertise covers a wide range of conditions affecting organs such as the kidneys, bladder, prostate, and, importantly for vasectomies, the testicles and vas deferens. Because a vasectomy is a procedure specifically targeting the male reproductive system to prevent pregnancy, a urologist’s specialized knowledge in this area makes them the most qualified medical professional to perform it.
Vasectomies are typically conducted in a urologist’s office. This is convenient and comfortable for most patients. However, depending on individual patient needs or circumstances, a urologist might also perform the procedure at an outpatient surgery center or a hospital. This could be considered if a patient experiences significant anxiety about the procedure or if other surgical procedures are scheduled to be performed at the same time.
Regardless of the location, the vasectomy procedure itself is performed by the urologist. There are two primary methods a urologist may employ: the conventional incision method and the no-scalpel method. In both techniques, you will be awake during the vasectomy. The urologist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the scrotum, ensuring you experience minimal discomfort during the procedure.
In the conventional vasectomy, the urologist makes one or two small incisions in the scrotum to access the vas deferens. The vas deferens are the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. A small segment of each vas deferens is then carefully cut and removed. To further ensure the tubes are sealed, the urologist may cauterize the ends using heat and then tie them off with sutures. Finally, the urologist will close the scrotal incision(s) with stitches or skin glue.
The no-scalpel vasectomy is a less invasive approach. Instead of incisions, the urologist creates a tiny puncture hole in the scrotum. Using specialized instruments, the urologist locates the vas deferens under the skin and gently brings them through the puncture hole. Similar to the conventional method, a small section of each vas deferens is cut and removed. The ends are then sealed, either by cauterization or ligation (tying), before being placed back into their natural position. The puncture hole created in the no-scalpel method is so small that stitches are usually unnecessary, resulting in a potentially quicker healing process.
Following a vasectomy performed by a urologist, the majority of men are able to return home on the same day. Full recovery is typically achieved in less than a week, allowing men to resume their normal activities with minimal disruption.
By choosing a urologist for a vasectomy, patients can be confident they are being treated by a highly trained specialist in male reproductive health, ensuring the procedure is performed with expertise and care.
