Blue Balls Don’t Exist - Dr. Christian Aminarh

Medical practitioner Dr Chris Aminarh has offered an in-depth, plain-language explanation of vasectomy, clarifying common misconceptions about the procedure during a live discussion on Culture Daily.

The conversation, which formed part of a broader health education segment, aimed to demystify vasectomy for viewers encountering the term for the first time and to encourage informed decision-making around male-led family planning.

According to Dr Aminarh, vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure and one of the most effective contraceptive methods available to men, with a success rate of approximately 99.9 per cent.

“It is a surgical procedure where we cut or block the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm,” he explained. “That is the entire procedure.”

The operation typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes and does not interfere with sexual performance, libido or the ability to ejaculate. Instead, it prevents sperm from entering semen, thereby eliminating the possibility of pregnancy.

One of the key educational points addressed during the discussion was the distinction between semen and sperm. Terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation.

Dr Aminarh clarified that sperm are the reproductive cells, while semen is the fluid that carries and supports them. Importantly, sperm make up only 2 to 5 per cent of semen, meaning men who undergo a vasectomy continue to ejaculate normally, but without sperm present.

“Sperm cannot come out alone,” he noted. “Semen carries sperm, but semen can still be released without sperm.”

Dr Aminarh highlighted a growing trend of men opting for vasectomy as a shared approach to family planning, rather than placing the burden solely on women through hormonal pills or invasive procedures.

“For many years, family planning has largely been directed at women,” he said. “It is encouraging to now see men taking responsibility and making informed choices for their families.”

Addressing a persistent myth, Dr Aminarh emphasised that vasectomy is not castration and does not involve the removal of the testicles or loss of masculinity.

Men who undergo the procedure maintain normal testosterone levels, erections, orgasms and sexual desire.

He also bluntly stated that, “blue balls don’t exist”. This revelation came as a shock and has since shaken tables.

The discussion also touched on broader health patterns, with Dr Aminarh noting seasonal trends in medical cases in Ghana, ranging from increased road traffic accidents during Easter to digestive issues and intoxication-related cases during the Christmas season.

He stressed the importance of routine health checks, particularly at the beginning of the year, when many patients seek medical reviews following the excesses of the festive period.