Services

Vasectomy

A vasectomy is one of the most reliable forms of birth control, producing results that are nearly 100% effective for preventing pregnancy. At Gulf Coast Urology, James Harris, MD and Travis Green, MD perform this safe, simple procedure in the office for men who want long-lasting birth control. If you have questions about vasectomy or you’d like to schedule a consultation, call the office in Clear Lake or Houston, Texas, or use the online booking system today. We care for patients throughout Houston, Clear Lake, Webster, League City, Friendswood, and Southeast Houston.

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FAQs

Find answers to common questions about appointment scheduling, insurance, and billing.

What is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a simple, safe procedure that makes a man sterile or unable to have children. The procedure works by preventing sperm from getting into semen, but it doesn’t affect any other aspect of your sexual functioning. You still have erections and ejaculate, but you won’t be able to get a woman pregnant.

How is a vasectomy performed?

The team at Gulf Coast Urology often performs vasectomies in the office under light sedation. A vasectomy is done by cutting the vas deferens, removing a small segment, then closing the two ends.

The vas deferens is the tube that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra, which is where they combine with semen before being ejaculated. Disrupting the vas deferens tubes prevents sperm from getting into the seminal fluid.

In a traditional vasectomy, your Gulf Coast Urology provider makes a small incision in each scrotum, pulls the tubes through the incision, then cuts them and ties the ends. Dr. Harris and Dr. Green perform a no scalpel vasectomy approach using only small pinholes to access the vas deferens. This leads to lower complication rates and quick recovery.

What should I expect after a vasectomy?

It’s normal to experience some discomfort and swelling after your vasectomy. Your Gulf Coast Urology provider gives you instructions, so you know how to care for the incision site. As a general guideline, you may need to use cold packs, wear supportive underwear, and use over-the-counter pain medications.

You need to limit your activities for a few days. However, most men return to their usual activities, including sexual intercourse, within a week.

How long will I need to use birth control after a vasectomy?

You’re not immediately sterile because it takes a few months for the sperm that were in the vas deferens before your procedure to pass through your reproductive tract. For most men, it takes about 8-12 weeks or about 20 ejaculations to clear out all the sperm.

Your Gulf Coast Urology provider checks semen samples and lets you know when your sperm count is down, and it’s safe to have unprotected intercourse. Meanwhile, you should use another reliable form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.

Can my vasectomy be reversed?

Vasectomies are intended to be permanent, but it’s usually possible to reverse the procedure. The success of reversing a vasectomy depends on factors such as the length of time since your vasectomy.

If you’re considering a vasectomy, call Gulf Coast Urology or schedule an appointment online.

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Urology services

Comprehensive urological care for men and women

At Gulf Coast Urology, we offer a wide range of services to address urological issues in both men and women. Our experienced team of board-certified urologists provides personalized and compassionate care to meet the unique health needs of each patient. With state-of-the-art therapies and diagnostic technology, we create customized treatment plans to improve our patients' quality of life.

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713-650-1502

1315 St Joseph Pkwy # 1502
Houston, TX 77002

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281-957-9658

2020 E NASA Pkwy #250
Houston, TX 77058

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