Vasectomy: Understanding the Procedure, Effectiveness & Recovery

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure from which a man loses his ability to reproduce. Although it is not 100% effective, it is considered a permanent form of birth control that causes a man who undergoes this procedure to become sterile.

Procedure

• A vasectomy is performed by removing a portion of each vans deferens in the male's scrotum and sealing the sections of the remaining tubes, not allowing semen to flow through.

Recovery

• Most patients go home the same day after the vasectomy is completed. The entire procedure generally takes no longer than 10 minutes.

Benefits

• Men who undergo a vasectomy are able to feel confident that they will not continue to produce children that are not planned.

Complications

• As with any surgery, risks are associated with having a vasectomy, such as prolonged bleeding or infection.

Effectiveness

• In the first year after a vasectomy, 15 out of every 10,000 couples will experience a pregnancy. Although its not 100% guaranteed that sperm may find a way to get through and cause conception, it is the closest permanent method next to castration.

Reversal

• Vasectomies are considered permanent; however, reversals can be attempted. Having a vasectomy reversed is very costly and not guaranteed to work.