location

29 Clemow Ave. Ottawa, ON K1S 2B1

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Ottawa

location

86, Promenade du Portage, Suite 300, Gatineau, QC J8X 2K1

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Gatineau

location

361 Main St East Hawkesbury, ON K6A 1A8

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Hawkesbury

location

15000 Pierrefonds Blvd. 3rd Floor, Pierrefonds, QC H9H 4G2

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Montreal

A Vasectomy at The Bercier Clinic is Safe and Effective Male Contraception

Vasectomies are a sterilization method for men who do not want children or do not wish to have more. It is a minor, 10-minute intervention done with local anesthesia at the doctor’s office.

It is a permanent male contraception method that prevents spermatozoa from entering semen. Simple and very effective, vasectomies have a success rate of more than 99.9% in preventing pregnancies.

Patients say they felt very little pain: no worse than getting bloodwork done. Some even say they felt no pain at all.

Introduction

Through the public health system (Hawkesbury and Ottawa clinics):

  • You must discuss your wishes with your family doctor.
  • She or he will then have to refer you to us.  Once the referral is received, the surgical appointment can be booked.

Through the private health system (Montréal and Gatineau clinics):

Limitations:

  • Does not offer immediate sterilisation: another method of birth control should be used until the control test to ensure no spermatozoa is left in semen (about 12 weeks and 20 ejaculations later).
  • Vasectomies are permanent sterilization methods: reversal surgery is not always successful.
  • Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Preparing for the procedure

  • Shave around the penis and all of your scrotum the day before your vasectomy. Since some alcohol is used to wipe the skin before using the MadaJet, freshly shaved skin could become slightly itchy if irritated.
  • Arrange to have someone take you home. Some patients pass out during or shortly after their vasectomy (about 1 patient out of 100) and some pass out in the car on their way home. In Canada, about 1 patient out of 10,000 will have a car accident while driving home. If you must drive, please stay in the right lane of traffic to be able to stop if you are feeling unwell or dizzy. If you take Valium for your procedure, you must arrange for a driver to accompany you, as you will not be permitted to drive.
  • Before your procedure, eat breakfast or lunch as usual. Men who are nervous or do not eat before the vasectomy are more likely to become dizzy during or after the procedure.
  • If you are known to develop weakness during a medical procedure, we strongly suggest taking 100 mg of Gravol 30 minutes before your appointment

Operation

  • A jet injector is used to shoot a very fine stream of anaesthesia that numbs the skin and penetrates it to a depth of 5 mm, which is sufficient to surround and freeze each tube (vas deferens) when these are immobilized under the numbed skin.
  • While the anaesthesia takes hold, the scrotum is cleaned and wrapped in a sterile manner.
  • The tube is manipulated into position just under the numbed skin.
  • It is immobilized under the skin with a holding clip; tissues are then delicately separated to reach the tube.
  • The tube is brought to skin level.
  • The upper cut end of the tube is cauterized (burnt) to make it close up through scarring.
  • A tiny titanium clip is then put in to ensure the ends of the tube are separated by a layer of tissue.
  • No stitching is required and the small opening closes up within a few days.

No-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy

Recovery

A vasectomy requires a quick recovery period, typically a gradual return to normal within 7 days. Patients are advised to keep activities to a minimum during this time. Those with sedentary jobs can return to work the day after the procedure.

Post-vasectomy Instructions

  • After the procedure, spend a quiet evening at home. Keep your activities to a minimum.
  • You can ice the area a few minutes after the vasectomy. You can apply the ice pack over your underwear or scrotal support for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, every hour, for the first 1 to 3 days.
  • You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic) if you feel uncomfortable.  If this is not enough to give you relief, you can also take an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil or generic) or Naproxen (Aleve or generic).
  • No bathing or swimming (pool, lake, bath, etc.) for 7 days. You can clean your scrotum in the shower as soon as the wound is closed.
  • You should wear the athletic support, during the day, for the first 7 days following the procedure.
  • After 7 days, when you first get back to activities, only go half-strength: half the weight; half the reps; half the speed; half the distance; etc. If no pain returns, you can get back to your usual routine the next day.
  • The American Urological Association recommends one (1) week before you can ejaculate, if there is no pain or sensitivity. Blood in the semen for the first few ejaculations, or even one (1) month after the procedure, is not worrisome. Use other means of contraception until we confirm that your sperm contains no live spermatozoa.
  • Since no suture is used to close up the small opening in the skin, no follow-up visit is required. However, if you feel very uncomfortable or if you have any worries, please reach us via our clinic’s Portal. About 10% of men will feel some discomfort up to two (2) weeks after the procedure and 1-5% up to three (3) month following the vasectomy.
  • It is normal to see some discolouration in the skin at the vasectomy site. Some men will see considerable discolouration in their scrotum after the procedure. Blood from the vasectomy site will rise to the surface as a purplish blue bruise that will darken and spread before disappearing with time.
  • Sperm granuloma is an expected outcome of vasectomy surgery. A tiny almond- sized lump forms at the cut end of the vas deferens (the tube carrying sperm from the testicle) naturally sealing the canal. This little lump shrinks over time and can be undetectable by one year after your surgery. Do not touch or examine this as it will cause complications.
  • At least 12 weeks and 20 ejaculations after your vasectomy, bring or send a sample of sperm to the lab. It is strongly recommended to use another method of contraception until Dr. Bercier’s office lets you know the results of the analysis. If no spermatozoa are present, an alternative means of contraception will no longer be necessary. However, in about 5-10% of cases, the analysis will not be conclusive. If that is the case, we will ask for another sample 4 to 6 weeks after the first one. This sample will need to be analysed within two hours, and will have to be produced at the lab itself.

Sperm make up only 2-5% of ejaculate, and most men do not notice any change in the ejaculated fluid.

Since it has no effect on the male hormones produced by the testicles, a vasectomy does not cause any changes in libido, orgasm or erection. A vasectomy does not affect a man’s masculinity in any way.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Schedule Your Vasectomy Appointment Today

Choosing a vasectomy is a major decision, and at the Bercier Clinic, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. With our dedicated team and patient-centered approach, we ensure that every question is answered, and every detail is taken care of, making the process as comfortable as possible. Take control of your family planning with a safe, effective vasectomy procedure tailored to your needs. Book Your Appointment Now to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Vasectomy

A vasectomy blocks sperm from mixing with semen by cutting or sealing the vas deferens, the tubes that transport sperm. This stops sperm from being present during ejaculation, effectively preventing pregnancy without affecting the production of semen. Since sperm makes up only a small fraction of semen, ejaculation feels the same after the procedure.

Recovery after a vasectomy is generally quick and straightforward. Most men report minimal discomfort and are able to resume regular activities within a week. Mild bruising and tenderness can be common in the first few days, and these symptoms usually resolve on their own. To aid healing, we recommend using ice packs if needed, and wearing supportive undergarments to minimize movement.

Complete sterility is achieved only after residual sperm has cleared from your system, which can take around 12 weeks and approximately 20 ejaculations. A semen analysis will be performed to confirm the absence of sperm. Until this test is clear, it’s essential to use another form of contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Before your procedure, you’ll receive detailed preparation instructions, including avoiding certain medications and ensuring the area is clean. Our team will guide you through every step.