Vasectomy Clinic

Vasectomy Counselling Clinic 

Patient Information

Richmond Urology Unit, Leigh Infirmary

• Author ID:      BT
• Leaflet ref:     Urol 018
• Version:         7
• Leaflet title:    Vasectomy Counselling Clinic
• Last review:   May 2025
• Expiry Date:  May 2027

Vasectomy Clinic

The Richmond Urology Unit

Hanover Diagnostic and Treatment Centre

Leigh Infirmary

The Avenue

WN7 1HS

How do I make an appointment?

You will need to ask your GP to make a referral for you, who will either send a referral letter directly to the Vasectomy Clinic or make an appointment through the Choose and Book system. An appointment letter will then be sent to your home address.

What will happen at the appointment?

At your Initial appointment at our Vasectomy Counselling Clinic, you will be seen by a doctor for assessment and examination and will be counselled about the vasectomy procedure. Providing you are suitable to have the procedure done under local anaesthetic, you will be offered the opportunity to undergo the vasectomy at the clinic on a later date. 

 If you are found to be unsuitable for a local anaesthetic procedure, you will be offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list for the procedure under general anaesthetic.

Further Information about the procedure 

Although you will receive counselling about the procedure in the clinic it is important you read the information leaflet you will be sent about the procedure before attending.

Local or General Anaesthetic?

Most vasectomy procedures are performed under local anaesthetic. This means the patient is awake but has injections to numb the area of the operation so although they are aware of the procedure being done, it is not painful. Many patients attending the clinic will already have had minor surgical or dental procedures with local anaesthetic injections.

A general anaesthetic means the patients is put to sleep for the procedure and wakes up afterwards with no awareness of the procedure being done.

Please note that with our vasectomy clinic, procedures can only be done under local anaesthetic. If you prefer a general anaesthetic, you should contact your GP who will be able to give you more information about this and refer you to a separate clinic. 

When will I have the Procedure?

You will be offered a date for the vasectomy under Local Anaesthetic at the Clinic, or the option of being placed on the waiting list for the procedure as a day case under a general anaesthetic.

Sex and Contraception after a Vasectomy

You may have sex once the initial discomfort has passed. Remember you will still have some active sperm, which have to be “discharged” before you become sterile. You will need to continue with reliable methods of contraception (precautions to avoid pregnancy) until you have been told in writing that you are sterile.

How will I know if the Vasectomy has been successful?

Before you leave the clinic, the nursing staff will give you two sample pots with clear instructions on how and when to collect semen samples for testing. The procedure will not be deemed successful until you produce two consecutive semen samples that show no sperm are present. It is very important that you have at least 24 ejaculations before you start submitting semen samples.

You will be asked to provide your sample for testing 20 weeks after your vasectomy. You will receive the results through the post. If sperm were detected in your sample you will need to submit another sample for testing, 6 weeks after your first test.

You need to continue with the other forms of contraception until you receive written confirmation of your sterility.

If you fail to submit the requested semen samples for testing, you will be discharged from the vasectomy clinic 7 months after the procedure. A discharge letter will be sent to yourself and your GP. After discharge the vasectomy service will no longer take responsibility for any semen analysis requests.

On the day of your vasectomy procedure, you must make arrangements for a relative or friend to drive you home. The staff will want to verify that you have someone with you before the procedure takes place.