Frequently Asked Questions.

The combined oral contraceptive with typical use, has an approximate 7% failure rate. This means 7 out of 100 women taking the combined pill will experience an unintended pregnancy each year, usually due to missed pills, delayed doses, vomiting, diarrhoea, or interactions with other medications. Whilst the pill may be a suitable contraceptive option for many women, there are certain medical conditions and circumstances where it may not be appropriate. These can include a history of blood clots, migraine with aura, smoking over the age of 35, certain cardiovascular conditions, or other medical factors. Women considering the pill should discuss their individual circumstances with their General Practitioner or Gynaecologist. For more information on female contraceptive options, see our Information for Her page.

Yes. Having children is not a requirement for a vasectomy. However, because vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of contraception, your doctor will ensure you have carefully considered your decision and understand the long-term implications.

Yes. In fact, many of the men we see at Dr Blanks have some degree of anxiety about undergoing a medical procedure. Feeling nervous before a vasectomy is completely normal. If you are concerned about anxiety, please contact Dr Blanks or our team before your appointment. We can discuss whether an optional anti-anxiety tablet such as diazepam, or an inhaled analgesic such as methoxyflurane (the "green whistle"), may be suitable for you. If appropriate, a prescription can be sent directly to your phone for collection from your local pharmacy prior to your procedure. If you are prescribed diazepam, remember to take it approximately 60 minutes before your appointment time, unless advised otherwise by Dr Blanks. If you choose to use methoxyflurane, Dr Blanks will show you exactly how to use the inhaler during the procedure. Most importantly, try not to stress. Dr Blanks performs vasectomies every day and has extensive experience helping anxious patients through the procedure. He will talk you through each step, check on your comfort regularly, and ensure you are doing well throughout. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, and if at any point you experience discomfort, additional local anaesthetic can be administered to maximise your comfort. Many men tell us afterwards that the anticipation was far worse than the procedure itself.

No. The decision to have a vasectomy is ultimately yours. Whilst many men choose to discuss the decision with their partner, your partner’s consent is not legally required.

Yes. Age alone does not prevent a man from having a vasectomy. However, younger men may have a higher likelihood of regret later in life, so extra discussion and counselling may be appropriate before proceeding.

Yes. Many men choose to have a vasectomy once they know their family is complete. However, remember that your vasectomy will not be immediately effective and alternative contraception will still be required until your semen analysis confirms success.

Most men do not require sperm banking. However, if there is any possibility you may wish to father children in the future, sperm banking before your vasectomy is something you may wish to discuss with Dr Blanks and we can arrange this.

There is no strict rule regarding how long you should wait after the birth of a child before having a vasectomy. However, we generally encourage men to be confident that their family is complete before proceeding. The weeks and months following the birth of a child can be a busy and emotional time. Taking time to ensure you and your partner are comfortable with your decision is often worthwhile. Ultimately, the right time is when you feel confident that you do not wish to father any more children.

Most men remain satisfied with their decision. Regret is uncommon but can occur, particularly in younger men, those who have not had children, or following significant life changes such as divorce or the loss of a child.

This is one of the most important questions to consider before having a vasectomy. You must remember that while vasectomy reversal surgeries are available and modern microsurgical techniques have improved outcomes considerably, no doctor can guarantee that a reversal will be successful. Depending on factors such as the time since your vasectomy and the findings at surgery, sperm may return to the ejaculate in approximately 75 to 95% of men following reversal. It is also important to understand that reversal surgery is significantly more complex, expensive and invasive than a vasectomy itself, and is usually not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. For these reasons, a vasectomy should always be considered a permanent form of contraception. Before proceeding, ask yourself whether you would still be comfortable with your decision if your relationship status changed in the future or if you met a new partner who wished to have children. If there is any uncertainty, we encourage you to discuss your circumstances with Dr Blanks before making a final decision.

After you settle the fee with the Dr Blanks Team after the procedure, Medicare will refund you $233.90. We will process this claim for you on the day and you will receive it on the spot. Your procedure fee on the day is $865 and you will get $233.90 back from Medicare. The out-of-pocket fee for the whole procedure, aftercare and results is $631.10.

This is uncommon. In some men, anatomy can make the vas deferens more difficult to locate. If necessary, the procedure may be modified, delayed or referred to a specialist urology setting to ensure the safest outcome.

Some patients become anxious around medical procedures. Our team is experienced in managing this and will ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure.

Absolutely. A vasectomy is an elective procedure, and the decision to proceed is always yours. This is one of the main reasons we do not take booking deposits from our patients. Even if you have completed your pre-consultation, signed your consent forms and arrived at the clinic on the day of your appointment, you are under no obligation to proceed if you no longer feel comfortable. Dr Blanks would much rather a patient postpone or cancel their procedure than proceed with any uncertainty or hesitation. A vasectomy should only be performed when you are confident that you do not wish to father children in the future and understand that the procedure should be considered permanent. If you have any last-minute questions, concerns or doubts on the day, please discuss them openly with Dr Blanks. Our goal is not simply to perform vasectomies, but to ensure every patient is making a decision that is right for them.

Yes. However, it is generally recommended to avoid ejaculation for approximately one week after the procedure to allow the tissues to heal and reduce discomfort.

Yes. Your testicles will continue to produce sperm for the rest of your life. The sperm simply cannot travel through the vas deferens and are naturally broken down and reabsorbed by the body.

No. A vasectomy does not affect the nerves, hormones or structures responsible for orgasm. Most men report no change in sexual sensation or satisfaction following recovery.

No. There is typically no noticeable difference in ejaculation, sexual performance or sensation for either partner following a successful vasectomy.

There is no good evidence that a vasectomy directly causes depression, anxiety, mood changes, personality changes or other mental health conditions. A vasectomy does not affect testosterone levels, male hormones, libido or the parts of the brain responsible for mood and emotional wellbeing. For this reason, most men notice no change in their mood or mental health following the procedure. That said, every man is different. Some men may experience temporary stress, anxiety or mixed emotions before or after a vasectomy, particularly if they are uncertain about their decision, have recently experienced major life changes, or are worried about the procedure itself. These feelings are usually short-lived and often improve once the procedure is complete and recovery is underway. The vast majority of men report high levels of satisfaction following vasectomy and would choose to have the procedure again. If you have a history of anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns, we encourage you to discuss this with Dr Blanks before your procedure so we can ensure you feel informed, comfortable and supported throughout the process.

No. A vasectomy does not affect the bladder, urinary sphincters, prostate, penis or the nerves responsible for controlling urination. The procedure only involves the vas deferens, the tubes that transport sperm from the testicles. Most men notice no change whatsoever in their ability to pass urine following a vasectomy. Whilst some men may experience mild temporary discomfort in the groin or scrotum during the first few days after the procedure, this does not usually affect urination. If you experience difficulty passing urine, severe pain, fever, or any symptoms that concern you after your vasectomy, please contact Dr Blanks or seek medical attention, as these symptoms are not considered a normal result of the procedure.

No. The body continuously produces and reabsorbs sperm. After a vasectomy, unused sperm are naturally broken down and recycled by the body.

Yes. A small lump at the treatment site may occur as part of normal healing and often settles over time. However, if the lump is enlarging, painful or concerning, you should contact the clinic.

Some men notice a temporary sensation of fullness, pressure or heaviness during the healing process. This usually improves over the days to weeks following the procedure.

Yes. It is common for one side to be slightly more tender, bruised or swollen than the other. This does not usually indicate a problem.

It is generally recommended that you avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours after your vasectomy. Alcohol can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, may contribute to dehydration, and can impair your judgement during the important early recovery period. After the first 24 hours, most men can resume moderate alcohol consumption if they are feeling well. However, heavy drinking or binge drinking in the days immediately following your procedure is best avoided, as it may increase swelling, discomfort and the risk of complications. If you have been prescribed medications such as diazepam or strong pain relief, you should not consume alcohol whilst these medications are active in your system unless specifically advised otherwise by your doctor.

Returning to the gym too soon is one of the most common reasons men experience increased pain, swelling, bruising or bleeding after a vasectomy. Whilst every man heals at a slightly different rate, a gradual return to exercise is recommended. Days 1 to 3: Dr Blanks says, "rest is best". Gentle walking around the house is fine, but avoid gym workouts, running, lifting, cycling and sport. Days 4 to 7: Light walking is generally acceptable if you are comfortable. Continue to avoid weight training, running, cycling, HIIT workouts and strenuous physical activity. After 1 week: Many men can begin light upper-body exercises provided they are pain-free and avoid straining. Use lighter weights than usual and stop if you experience discomfort. After 2 weeks: Most men can gradually return to moderate gym activities including machine weights, light jogging and general fitness training if recovery has been uncomplicated. After 3 to 4 weeks: Most men can safely return to heavier activities such as squats, deadlifts, leg press, CrossFit-style workouts, sprinting, contact sports, and heavy manual labour. As a general rule, if an activity causes pain, pulling, pressure or discomfort in the scrotum, it is a sign to ease off and give yourself more time to heal. Remember that whilst you may feel well within a few days, the tissues inside the scrotum continue healing for several weeks. Taking a cautious approach to returning to the gym can help reduce the risk of setbacks and improve your overall recovery.

Your vasectomy cannot be considered successful until your semen analysis confirms that sperm are no longer present at a safe level. If you forget to submit your sample, simply contact the clinic and we will guide you through the next steps.

Each man’s anatomy and ejaculation frequency differ. Some men clear residual sperm within a few weeks, whilst others may take several months before their semen analysis meets clearance criteria.

Yes, you may certainly choose to repeat a semen analysis in the future if it provides reassurance or helps alleviate any ongoing anxiety. However, the available evidence suggests that men who have achieved clearance following a satisfactory post-vasectomy semen analysis at approximately 3 months have an extremely low risk of future fertility. For this reason, routine repeat testing months or years later is not generally recommended or required. Whilst very late spontaneous reconnection of the vas deferens has been reported in the medical literature, it is exceptionally rare. Once you have received formal clearance, a vasectomy remains one of the most effective forms of contraception available. If you would like to arrange an additional semen analysis in the future for your own peace of mind, please contact Dr Blanks and our team will be happy to assist.

Yes, vasectomy is a simpler, less invasive and lower-risk procedure than female sterilisation. It can usually be performed under local anaesthetic in a clinic setting with a shorter recovery period.

Many couples choose vasectomy because it is highly effective, long-lasting, hormone-free and does not require ongoing prescriptions, devices or regular maintenance. For couples who have completed their family, vasectomy is often one of the most reliable contraceptive options available.