Definition

1. Noun:
   • A surgical procedure for male sterilization in which all or part of the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm from the testicle) is cut or sealed. This prevents sperm from entering the seminal fluid. The procedure is sometimes reversible.

Usage

• Vasectomy is used as a countable noun to refer to the medical procedure itself or an instance of it.
• It is typically discussed in contexts of family planning, surgery, and male reproductive health.

Examples

• Noun:
  • After having three children, he decided to have a vasectomy.
  • The vasectomy is a common and effective form of permanent birth control.
  • He consulted a urologist to discuss the risks and benefits of a vasectomy.

Advanced Usage

• "to get/have a vasectomy": to undergo the surgical procedure.
  • He got a vasectomy last year.
• "to perform a vasectomy": (for a doctor) to carry out the surgery.
  • The surgeon will perform the vasectomy in his clinic.

Variants and Related Words

• Vasectomize (verb, rare): to perform a vasectomy on someone.
• Vasovasostomy (noun): the surgical procedure to reverse a vasectomy.

Synonyms

• Sterilization (surgical): a general term for a procedure that makes an individual incapable of reproduction.
• Male sterilization: a more descriptive synonym.

Antonyms

• Vasovasostomy: the reversal procedure.
• Fertilization: the process of conception, which a vasectomy prevents.

Notes

• A vasectomy does not affect male hormone levels or sexual function. It only prevents sperm from being present in ejaculated semen.
• The term is specific to males; the equivalent procedure for females is a tubal ligation.

Noun

1. surgical procedure that removes all or part of the vas deferens (usually as a means of sterilization); is sometimes reversible