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What happens during a vasectomy

How vasectomy works

A vasectomy works by stopping your body releasing sperm in the semen when you come (ejaculate).

After a vasectomy, you can still ejaculate but your semen will not have any sperm in it.

On the day of your vasectomy

Vasectomy is done at a GP surgery, sexual health clinic or hospital.

A vasectomy usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

The doctor will: :

  • use a local anaesthetic to numb your scrotum (the skin around your testicles)
  • make a small cut in your scrotum
  • seal, block or cut the tubes that carry sperm (sperm ducts)
  • close the cut, usually with dissolvable stitches

Page last reviewed: 28 February 2024
Next review due: 28 February 2027