Vasectomy in Ethiopia
How much do you know about male reproductive system?
What is the male reproductive system?
Before we discuss about vasectomy in Ethiopia, let first talk a little bit about the male reproductive system. The male reproductive system refers to the bodily systems responsible for sexual function in males. It consists of external and internal structures responsible for the formation, storage, and ejaculation of sperm, as well as the production of vital hormones like testosterone for male development. In addition some parts of the male reproductive system, such as the penis and urethra, belong to the urinary system.
The male reproductive system consists of:
- Testis: A pair of testicles inside the scrotum make sperm and a male sex hormone, called testosterone.
- Epididymis: Organ connected to the testicle in which sperm are collected(stored) and mature
- Vas deferens: About a foot(30-35cm) length and with 2-3mm thickness tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the penis
- Seminal vesicles: The function of the seminal vesicles is to both produce and store fluid that will eventually become semen.
- Prostate gland: Organs that make fluid for semen
- Urethra: Tube that carries urine and semen through the penis
- Penis: The man’s sex organ that fills with blood during sexual arousal, causing an erection

What are sperm and semen?
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- Sperm are the male sex cells, which can fertilize a female’s egg and start a pregnancy
- Semen is the liquid that contains sperm and comes out of your penis when you ejaculate
Your testicles make millions of sperm, which go into the epididymis where it is stored and matures. Then they travel through a long tube called the vas deferens on their way to the urethra and out the penis.
Semen is made up of sperm and a lot of liquid that nourishes and transports the sperm. The liquid is mainly produced by your seminal vesicles and prostate and mixes with sperm during ejaculation.
Semen contains approximately 1%–5% spermatozoa, with the seminal fluid deriving predominantly from seminal vesicles (65%–70%) and prostate (25%–30%)
What is Vasectomy?
The vas deferens is physically accessible within the scrotum; surgical sterilization to interrupt sperm delivery can be performed by sealing and cutting a small section of the vas deferens. This procedure is called a vasectomy, and vasectomy is an effective permanent form of male family planning. Although it may be possible to reverse a vasectomy, health professionals consider the procedure permanent, and advise men to undergo it only if they are certain they no longer wish to father children.
A vasectomy is the safest, simplest, and most effective permanent family planning method. It’s an in-office procedure that blocks sperm from reaching the semen. After a vasectomy, semen still exists but without sperm. Vasectomy is most effective at preventing pregnancy than any other method, except abstinence.
No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV)
In a no-scalpel vasectomy, a puncture is made in the scrotum with special forceps instead of an incision. These forceps stretch the skin to make a small hole through which the vas deferens is pulled out, tied, cut, or cauterized and then put back into place. The advantages of this procedure include quicker procedure time, minimal postoperative pain and potentially decreased risk of bleeding and infection
Why get a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?
No-scalpel vasectomy is a simple procedure which offers you all of the following benefits:
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- Convenience
- No incision
- Quick procedure
- No stitches
- Fast recovery
- Minimal discomfort
- Effective contraception
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Before Vasectomy
Prior to a vasectomy, men may be asked to make the following preparations:- Wash the scrotum to prevent infection.
- Bring a pair of tight fitting underwear or athletic support to the procedure to support the scrotum and minimize swelling.
- Arrange for transportation home to prevent extraneous movement.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin that thin the blood and can cause excessive bleeding a week prior to the procedure.
The Procedure
Most vasectomies are performed in a physician's office and take about 30 minutes.- 1. A local anesthetic is injected under the skin (not into the testicle) using a very small needle. Only the area around the vas deferens (vas or sperm duct) becomes numb.
- 2. Once the area is numb, some men will still feel a pulling and/or cramping sensation during the procedure. The physician finds the vas deferens by feeling through the skin of the scrotum.
- 3. To expose the vas, a small puncture is made using the no-scalpel technique. A small incision can also be used. A loop of vas is brought to the surface, and a small segment is usually removed (up to about 1 cm). One or both of the cut surfaces of the vas are then either cauterized (treated with heat), tied off, or clipped. Once the procedure is complete on one vas deferens, the other side is treated. Often, the second vas can be treated through the same initial puncture .
- 4. In the no-scalpel technique, the skin puncture does not require sutures.
After Vasectomy
The man may go home a few minutes after the vasectomy is completed but should have someone available to accompany him and assist with tasks (driving, heavy lifting, etc)- The most important factor in a smooth recovery is rest. It is best to take it easy for two to three days after the procedure.
- Patients should be asked to limit their activities for about five days. Strenuous exercise or lifting should be avoided for a total of seven days.
- Patients should not bathe or swim for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
- Sexual intercourse can be resumed after a week, but a backup method of birth control is necessary until testing is done to confirm that sperm are no longer present in the ejaculate (usually at three months after the procedure).
- Men need to ejaculate at least 20 times to clear the ducts of sperm or wait for three-months to check effectiveness
Vasectomy has
%
Success Rate
Frequently asked questions about vasectomy
Is there any discomfort during the procedure?
Before the vasectomy, you will not need any sedatives. No-Scalpel Vasectomy is virtually painless. Afterwards you will likely be sore for a couple of days and should take a mild painkiller. The discomfort is less with the no-scalpel technique because there is minimal manipulation and injury to the tissues.
How soon after my vasectomy can I go back to work?
You should not do any heavy physical labor for seven days after your vasectomy. If your job does not involve this kind of work, you can go back sooner.
Will the vasectomy change me sexually?
The only thing that will change is that you will not be able to make your partner pregnant. Your body will continue to produce the hormones that make you a man. You will have the same amount of semen. Vasectomy won’t change your voice, mustache, your muscles, your sex drive, your erections, or your climaxes. Some men say that without the worry of accidental pregnancy and the bother of other family planning methods, sex is more relaxed and enjoyable than before.
Does No-Scalpel Vasectomy work?
NSV is extremely effective! In fact, the success rate of vasectomy is more than 99%
Will I be sterile right away?
No, after a vasectomy, there are always some active sperm in your system. It usually takes around 3 months or about 20 ejaculations to clear them. Semen test can be done, If a man ejaculates about 20 before three months. You and your partner should use some other form of family planning method until a semen test confirms that your semen is sperm free.
Is no-scalpel vasectomy safe?
Most medical experts, including special panels organized by the National Institutes of Health and by the World Health Organization, have concluded that vasectomy is a safe and simple procedure. Vasectomy is surgery, and all surgery has some risks, such as bleeding and infection. But serious problems are uncommon at our vasectomy clinic in Addis Ababa.
How soon after no-scalpel vasectomy can I have sex again?
Having sex and ejaculating too soon after getting a vasectomy may cause discomfort and delay the wound healing process until your side effects begin to subside. Wait until you don’t have any scrotal pain or swelling around your incision site before engaging in sexual activity. This may mean waiting about one week after your vasectomy.
Can No-Scalpel Vasectomy be reversed?
No, after doing Vasectomy in Ethiopia, reversal service is not available.
In some European countries and USA, reversal service is available but reversal operations are expensive and not always successful. If you are thinking about reversal, perhaps vasectomy is not right for you.
When can I start having sex again?
As soon as you are comfortable, after a minimum of seven days, but remember to use some other kind of family planning method, until your semen analysis confirms you are sterile. Please expect to continue with your existing method of contraception for three months after your vasectomy.
How long will a No-Scalpel Vasectomy take?
On average, no-scalpel vasectomy in Ethiopia takes less than 20 minutes. It is a simple procedure that can be performed in our procedure rooms in our Addis Ababa-Michu Clinic SPHMMC and Tseday Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialty Clinic. After your procedure, we recommend that you have someone to drive you home, or that you extend your stay at our clinic to be sure that you are fully recovered before driving yourself home.
What are some potential benefits of open-ended vasectomy?
In an open-ended vasectomy, once the vas tube is cut, the end from the testicle is left open (i.e. not tied or cauterized), while the end of the tube leading to the penis is closed. Studies have suggested that this could be the ideal way to block the vas end.
There are several benefits to choosing open-ended vasectomy vs closed-ended vasectomy, which means there are also fewer side effects.
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- Reduced risk of post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) … may be less post-procedure discomfort because there is no sudden pressure back-up to the testicles
- Less invasive.
- Easier recovery.
- Faster procedure time
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Where do the sperm go after vasectomy?
Your vasectomy procedure will prevent your sperm from getting into your semen, but they will continue to be produced by your testicles. The sperm will be reabsorbed into your body, the same as happens now if you don’t ejaculate regularly. There is no reason to be concerned about the disposition of your sperm after your vasectomy procedure.
Where to get vasectomy in Ethiopia

Tsedey OB/GYN Specialty Clinic
Tel: 0112737370 / 0713073507
Tsedey Obstetrics and Gynecology speciality clinic envisions to excel in women’s care by providing compassionate and respectful care across the spectrum of services including: – antenatal care, postnatal care, comprehensive abortion care, family planning service. Tsedey clinic is one of the providers of vasectomy in Ethiopia.
Michu Clinic
Tel: 0713073507
Michu clinic supports SPHMMC’s efforts to meet the region’s growing family planning demands and reflects a commitment to improved access to quality care that puts patients first. In addition to the services of family planning and abortion care, the clinic also provides GBV Care and cervical cancer screening. Michu clinic is one of the providers of vasectomy in Ethiopia.
Our Team

Dr Aschalew Seyoum
Family planning expert
Dr Aschalew Seyoum has more than 30 years of experience in providing family planning services with a focus on permanent methods of family planning. He has many years of experience as a vasectomy provider in Ethiopia as well as in providing vasectomy counseling and training. Through the years he has gathered ample experience in performing permanent methods of contracepton including no-scalpel vasectomy in Ethiopia. Dr. Aschalew currently provides the vasectomy service at both Tesdey and Michu clinics.