Vasectomy
Definition
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization or permanent contraception. During the procedure, the vasa deferentia, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra, are cut, tied, or otherwise sealed to prevent sperm from reaching the semen that is ejaculated from the penis.
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Male Urology Program
Many urologic problems can affect men’s sexual and/or reproductive health. Urologic conditions may be common, but they should not negatively impact patients’ quality of life, confidence, or relationships. Our urologists are here to discuss patients’ concerns, find solutions that work with their lifestyle, and meet their current and future goals. Nationally recognized as leaders in men’s health, our Urology Department is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Northeast. The Male Urology Program treats men in need of care for noncancerous urologic symptoms—from enlarged prostates (BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) to vasectomies (and reversals). We also offer sperm retrieval and treatment for low testosterone and erectile dysfunction—with the most current technologies and techniques: We offer minimally invasive, innovative BPH treatments, such as GreenLight PVP Laser Therapy, in an outpatient setting. We perform minimally invasive sperm retrievals in the office under local anesthesia, which saves the patient time as well as the cost and the inherent risks of an operating room visit. We perform microsurgical vasectomies, offering patients the option of freezing sperm at the same time. We are a major referral center for patients who need penile implants. For Peyronie's disease (curvature of the penis), we tailor the treatment—which ranges from local treatment to the penis to medication to advanced surgical procedures—based on the degree of curvature, the patient’s needs, and any associated problems with erections.Male Fertility Program
Fertility can be a complicated health issue with physical, emotional, and psychological ramifications. Our program, in conjunction with the Department of Urology, offers a patient-centered approach to male infertility, because we understand that each patient and each couple is different. Our patients receive care at the Yale Fertility Center, one of very few centers in the country that has a reproductive specialist with dual training in both male and female infertility. Our physicians are at the forefront of scientific research and clinical care in the field. When cutting-edge research offers a new treatment option, our patients are the first to benefit. The Male Fertility Program and Sperm Physiology Laboratory at the Fertility Center each has a national and international reputation for laboratory excellence, inventiveness, and outstanding research. We offer the most sophisticated,computer-assisted semen analysis, anti-sperm antibody testing,and evaluation ofsperm shape and morphology. In addition, the lab features thesperm migration test, which provides an assessment of the proportion of sperm that compete for fertilization. At most fertility centers, sperm retrievals must be timed and coordinated with an off-site urologist to perform the procedure. Here, we do not fragment our patient’s care, and are able to treat couples with male factor infertility as a whole. We offer the following sperm retrieval procedures: Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA). This procedure harvests sperm from the epididymis and uses them for ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, or injecting sperm into an egg). Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE). This procedure requires a small incision where testicular tissue is biopsied for the presence of sperm. Embryologists thoroughly search the tissue for viable sperm to be used for ICSI.