Contraception/vasectomy

[Herat1986]

We aren't having any more children so DH has seen the GP about having a vasectomy. He's booked in for the initial counselling session... in November! No idea how long the wait is between that and the procedure and then I understand its up to 3 months to be safe after the op.

I absolutely can't have hormonal birth control. Debating whether to stick to condoms for all that time, or get the copper coil in the meantime. Only concern is I don't want heavy painful periods.

Also considering whether to get sterilised myself instead.

Any insights into any of these?
Thanks!

‘then I understand its up to 3 months to be safe after the op‘

If’s likely to be at least 12 weeks, and can be considerably longer.

NHS waiting lists can be months. Can you afford to get it done privately? It’s about £500, and although he will need pre-op counselling, there isn’t any waiting once they agree to go ahead (just choosing the date he wants it done)

We can't spare £500 at the moment but that would be the perfect solution otherwise.

At least 12 weeks, really? Hmmm I think I might need to bite the bullet and go for the coil...

Im sure my DH was given the all clear after 5 months

Use condoms in the meantime. It's not for long. This is what we did. He had his procedure- he was gone 45 mins door to door and all was fine. It's worth it!

My husband had his within 5 weeks then you need to wait until week 16 before you can send a sample to be tested to check all clear

Counselling session?
My DH deffo didn’t have this... Hi GP I want a vasectomy... oh yes...: you are eligible ... (asked his age how many children).
You’ll get a letter through the post.... can take up to 10 weeks. Appointment letter for the procedure arrived a few weeks later scheduled for about 10 weeks after his initial appointment with GP plus so guidance about the procedure.

Day comes I take him... procedure takes 10mins - simple as that!

Voice of real doom here, though my DH was a bit of an outlier. It took a year for him to get his all clear.

Most men are clear by around 16-20 weeks (it's a function of both passing of time and number of ejaculations)

So yes, I'd plan on longish term contraception - he had an initial NHS telephone consultation and they were happy to put him on the list. But it was a 6 month wait. That's when we decided to go private.

Also, being done a urologist (longer wait?) or a doctor employed by a private provider to carry out vasectomies (so doing the procedure several times a day most working days) reduces the risk of surgical error compared to a non-specialist who does the procedure only sometimes (though if course does not remove the risk of complications altogether)

I've been using the copper coil for over 16 years and never had a heavy or painful period if it's any help.

They just continued to be normal.