Men’s health | 4.2.2026
Vasectomy– is male sterilisation safe?
A vasectomy is a permanent form of male sterilisation and contraception. It is a minor surgical procedure where a urologist cuts and seals the tubes (the vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. The procedure only blocks sperm from entering the semen. Sex drive, hormone production and erectile function are not affected. Find out more about the preparations for a vasectomy and the procedure itself, and what is covered under Swiss health insurance.
Vasectomy preparation and procedure
Before a vasectomy, the patient consults with a doctor, who checks their medical history and provides comprehensive information about the upcoming procedure.
The procedure itself takes around 15 to 30 minutes and is usually performed under local anaesthetic on an outpatient basis.
There are two main techniques for the procedure:
- Conventional (scalpel) vasectomy: two small incisions are made in the scrotum using a scalpel to access the vas deferens tubes.
- Non-scalpel vasectomy: a tiny, puncture-like hole is created in the scrotum. The tubes are accessed through this single opening without needing a scalpel cut.
The urologist cuts the exposed tubes, removes one to two centimetres, and closes the ends with stitches, heat (cautery) or surgical clips. To prevent the tubes from rejoining, the urologist places a layer of scrotum tissue between the sealed ends. Finally, the skin is sutured with absorbable stitches or sealed with a plaster.
