HEALTH Q&A: Effects of a vasectomy

Q Will a vasectomy make me impotent?

A The thought of getting a vasectomy brings up a lot of questions and quite a bit of anxiety for most men.

One of the most common questions I get from patients is: "Will it affect my erections?" The answer is "no."

First, let me emphasize that choosing to have a vasectomy is a serious decision. The man must commit to thinking that this procedure will result in permanent sterilization. Once the decision is made, the procedure itself is relatively easy and safe. The tubes that connect the testes (where sperm is made) to the urethra of the penis are cut. The tubes are called the vas deferens. These structures have nothing to do with the tissue, blood supply and nerves that are involved in erections. The penis and the contents of the scrotum, although connected, are completely different anatomical parts. Therefore, erections will not be affected by a vasectomy.

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