A vasectomy is a procedure for male sterilisation. It is presently the only available mean of male sterilisation.

Vasectomy interrupts the continuity of the tubes that carry the sperm from the testes called the vas deferens.

These vas deferens transport the sperm from the epididymis (where the sperm are stored after they are made in the testes) up through the prostate to the urethra during an ejaculation. As there are 2 terstes, there are usually 2 vas deferens. When this procedure is carried out successfully on both the vas deferens, sperm will not be able to reach the urethra for ejaculation. After successful bilateral vasectomy, no sperm will be present in the ejaculation fluid after a period of time. This results in male sterilization. 

The surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia. The site for the surgery is usually at the scrotum where the vas is directly under the skin. Local anesthesia is injected into the skin at the chosen site over the course of the vas.

The latest technique in vasectomy is known as Scalpel-less vasectomy. This literally means vasectomy carried out without the use of the surgical knife known as a scalpel. In No-knife or scalpel-less vasectomy, a special instrument is used to make a tiny opening in the skin without the need of a surgical knife or scalpel.  The the vas is then dissected and divided. The open ends are then closed off.

Scalpel-less vasectomy hastens recovery and healing.

The person is discharged the same day.

While vasectomy has successfully prevented new sperm from entering the vas deferens, there are sperms that have already passed through the vas beyond the point of vasectomy and are stored further downstream in pouches known as seminal vesicles awaiting ejaculation. These sperms are not affected by vasectomy. They can still be discharged during sexual intercourse to give rise to conception and pregnancy. To avoid this, one should continue to use contraception such as a condom even after successful bilateral vasevtomy until the semen analysis shows no sperm (azoospermia). This may take a few weeks to months.