Vasectomy Clinic

Since 2003 we have been running our clinic from its convenient location in central Exeter, offering permanent men’s contraception to patients throughout the Devon area and beyond.

Our two trained Vasectomy surgeons Dr Tomlinson and Dr Wise offer appointments throughout the week including Saturday, and are available to answer any questions you may have either before or after your procedure – it’s important to be sure vasectomy is the right choice for you.

What is a vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a permanent form of male contraception for those who are sure their family is complete. It involves surgically blocking the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra – these tubes are the “vas deferens”.

How is a Vasectomy performed?

At St Thomas Vasectomy Clinic the procedure is carried out in our Minor Surgical Room under a local anaesthetic. We use the “No-scalpel” technique exclusively, this is considered the safest and most effective form of vasectomy.

After cleaning the skin, the area is numbed using an injection. Although this is sore briefly, a little like a wasp sting, within 20-30 seconds the injection takes effect and after that you should not feel any discomfort. The surgeon will then make a tiny hole in the skin through which to access the tubes. These are then cut and sealed with electro-cautery. The hole in the skin is very small and so heals on its own with no need for stitches or glue.

The appointment is 45 minutes to allow for the 20 minute procedure itself and time after to talk through the recovery process as well as answer any questions.

Who should be considering Vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a good choice for any man who is sure they do not want to cause a future pregnancy.

It is important that this is not a quick decision as vasectomy should be considered a permanent contraceptive. It may not be right for you if you are under stress or in a difficult relationship. Or if you are doing it just to please your partner. But for those who are sure about their choice it can be an excellent option, avoiding the need for any future contraception.

Getting back to normal

After returning home following your procedure, you should rest up for the remainder of the day. If your work is not physically demanding, you should be fine to restart the following morning. But light duties for a week would be sensible if you do heavier work.

It’s a good idea to have a 7-10 day break from any strenuous physical exercise before carefully restarting. You can have sex again as soon as you feel ready, usually about a week after the procedure.

When will I be sterile?

Your sperm count gradually decreases following your vasectomy, but you are not sterile immediately after the procedure. 15 weeks on from your vasectomy we will ask you to provide a sample for testing. We will provide the collection kit and the sample is collected at home and can usually be dropped off at your local practice. It’s important you continue using contraception until your sperm count falls to zero, and this can take several months. Vasectomy does not affect your sex life in any way. Your sex drive, erections and orgasm are completely unchanged, the only difference is you no longer need to worry about contraception.

Arranging an appointment

Thanks for reading to the end of the page! If you (or someone close to you) would like to know more about no-scalpel vasectomy at St Thomas Clinic please get in touch with our team or contact your GP to be referred.

Phone number: 01392 676635

Email: d-icb.stthomasvc@nhs.net

Meet the team