What Is Vasectomy?
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Permanent contraception for men who will not want more children.
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Through a puncture or small incision in the scrotum, the provider locates each of the 2 tubes that carries sperm to the penis (vas deferens) and cuts or blocks it by cutting and tying it closed or by applying heat or electricity (cautery).
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Also called male
sterilization and male surgical contraception.
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Works by closing off each vas deferens, keeping sperm out of semen.
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Semen is ejaculated, but it cannot cause pregnancy.
How Effective?
One of the most effective methods but carries a small risk of failure:
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Where men cannot have their semen examined 3 months after the procedure to see if it still contains sperm, pregnancy rates are about 2 to 3 per 100 women over the first year after their partners have had a
vasectomy. This means that 97 to 98 of every 100 women whose partners have had vasectomies will not become pregnant.
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Where men can have their semen examined after
vasectomy, less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women over the first year after their partners have had vasectomies (2 per 1,000). This means that 998 of every 1,000 women whose partners have had vasectomies will not become pregnant.
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Vasectomy is not fully effective for 3 months after the procedure.
− Some pregnancies occur within the first year because the couple do not use condoms or another effective method consistently and correctly in the first 3 months, before the vasectomy is fully effective.
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A small risk of pregnancy remains beyond the first year after the
vasectomy and until the man’s partner reaches menopause.
− Over 3 years of use: About 4 pregnancies per 100 women
If the partner of a man who has had a vasectomy becomes pregnant, it may be because:
− The couple did not always use another method during the first 3 months after the procedure
− The provider made a mistake
− The cut ends of the vas deferens grew back together
Fertility does not return because vasectomy generally cannot be stopped or reversed. The procedure is intended to be permanent. Reversal surgery is difficult, expensive, and not available in most areas. When performed, reversal surgery often does not lead to pregnancy (see Question 7).
Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs): none
Why Some Men Say They Like Vasectomy
Is safe, permanent, and convenient
Has fewer side effects and complications than many methods for women
The man takes responsibility for contraception—takes burden off the woman
Increases enjoyment and frequency of sex
Side Effects, Health Benefits, Health Risks, and Complications
Side Effects, Known Health Benefits and Health Risks
None
Complications
(see also Managing Any Problems)
Uncommon to rare:
Severe scrotal or testicular pain that lasts for months or years (see Question 2).
Uncommon to very rare:
Infection at the incision site or inside the incision (uncommon with conventional incision technique; very rare with no-scalpel technique; see Vasectomy Techniques).
Rare:
Bleeding under the skin that may cause swelling or bruising (hematoma).
Correcting Misunderstandings
(see also Questions and Answers)
Vasectomy:
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Does not remove the testicles. In
vasectomy the tubes carrying sperm from the testicles are blocked. The testicles remain in place.
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Does not decrease sex drive.
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Does not affect sexual function. A man’s erection is as hard, it lasts as long, and he ejaculates the same as before.
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Does not cause a man to grow fat or become weak, less masculine, or less productive.
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Does not cause any diseases later in life.
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Does not prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including
HIV.
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