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1. Does having a vasectomy raise my cancer risk"
No. Old reports linking vasectomies to higher risks of prostate and testicular cancer aren?t hard to find online, but recent studies show there?s no connection whatsoever. Says Keith Jarvi, head of urology at Toronto?s Mount Sinai Hospital and professor of surgery at the University of Toronto: ?The evidence [debunking the link] is so strong now, we don?t even discuss it.?
2. If it?s not painful, what does it feel like, exactly" Once the area is numb, you?ll experience some tugging and shifting, which feels more weird than uncomfortable.
3. Do I have to get a needle" Maybe not. Many doctors now use a less painful high-pressure spray (via jet gun) that does away with needles entirely. 4. What if I change my mind later on and want to reverse my vasectomy"
The vasectomy is an easy half-hour snip. Reconnecting those tubes isn?t such a breeze. Vasectomy reversal is an invasive, two- to three-hour procedure that may require general anesthetic. And since it?s not covered under provincial health plans, the cost can run around $5,000. The success rate is good (studies suggest 50 to 70 percent of men are able to have kids post-reversal), but doctors note that effectiveness drops depending on how long it?s been since the vasectomy. Because of this, couples are often encouraged to look into alternatives?sperm retrieval and in-vitro fertilization?if they want a baby. If you?re spooked by the prospect ...