As male contraception becomes less taboo in Ireland, one man’s experience highlights how straightforward — and surprisingly painless — a vasectomy can be.
Sean, a man in his early 40s from Cork, describes himself as “happily married” and confident in his decision to undergo a vasectomy — a choice he made after welcoming a third child with his wife. What surprised him most wasn’t the procedure itself, but how minor and manageable it turned out to be.
“Getting tattooed was a lot worse,” Sean said, reflecting on his experience.
Performed by Dr. Colin Irwin, a general practitioner and director of Precision Vasectomy in Cork, the procedure is part of a growing trend as more men turn to permanent contraception. Dr. Irwin attributes this rise to a broader societal shift.
“Sexual health, especially men’s health, used to be a taboo topic here. But we’ve come a long way in the last 20 years,” he said.
For Sean and his wife, the vasectomy offered a safer and simpler alternative to a tubal ligation, which involves more invasive surgery for women.
“I’ve watched my wife go through pregnancies — it’s a wonderful thing, but also painful,” Sean said. “She’s done enough. I didn’t want her to have to undergo more medical procedures when there was a small, simple option available for me.”
That “small snip” has become even less invasive thanks to advances like the no-scalpel vasectomy now offered at Irwin’s clinic. The procedure, which involves a 4mm incision and the removal of about 1cm of the vas deferens on each side, takes around 20 to 30 minutes, with the entire appointment lasting under an hour.
“Most men say, ‘Is that it? I can’t believe it was that quick,’” Irwin noted.
Patients can book directly through the clinic’s website without a referral, and most major insurers provide partial reimbursement. The cost is €599. Irwin’s clinic offers appointments on weekdays, evenings, and weekends, with no wait list.
Typically, patients are between 35 and 45 years old, with two or three children. Some, Irwin says, are prompted by a surprise third child after a long gap and are seeking a permanent solution.
Sean took nearly two years to decide, discussing it with his wife, a close friend, and his GP. “Having our last child really cemented it,” he said. “I did my research — I stayed away from internet forums because they can be unreliable.”
One of the biggest misconceptions about vasectomy, Irwin said, is that it affects sex drive or hormone levels. “That’s simply not true. Sperm production continues, but the body absorbs it. Testosterone and libido remain the same,” he said. “In fact, studies show men often report increased sexual satisfaction afterward — the anxiety around unintended pregnancy is gone.”
Sean’s only discomfort came from a minor complication tied to an old hernia, which caused slight inflammation. He was back to work after a few days of rest. “Apart from a sting during the anesthetic, the pain was nothing like I expected,” he said.
Recovery times vary based on the patient’s activity level, but Irwin said most can return to light duties within a few days.
While the procedure is free under the UK’s NHS, it is not currently covered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland. Dr. Irwin has advocated for change. “If the government covers contraception for women, why not men? It’s a cost-effective solution — cheaper than two years of the pill or two Mirena coils.”
Now fully recovered, Sean says life has returned to normal — but better.
“The lack of stress over an unplanned pregnancy has improved my day-to-day life,” he said. His advice to others considering the procedure? “Ignore internet horror stories. Speak to a medical professional. You’ll get far more accurate and reassuring information than from anonymous online posts.”
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