A vasectomy is minor surgery that makes a man unable to get a woman pregnant. It is a permanent form of birth control.
How it works
The surgeon cuts the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles, so sperm can no longer reach the semen, the fluid released at ejaculation. With no sperm in the semen, pregnancy cannot happen.
The procedure and recovery
- It is quick, usually under 30 minutes, and you can probably go home the same day.
- There may be some discomfort, bruising and swelling for a few days.
- Most men recover fully in less than a week.
When it works
A vasectomy is one of the most effective forms of birth control, but it takes about three months (or about 20 ejaculations) to take effect. Use other birth control until a test of your semen, done after two to three months, shows no sperm.
Sex life
A vasectomy does not affect your sex life: it doesn't lower sex drive or affect erections or orgasm.
Can it be undone?
Sometimes, but not always, through surgery to reconnect the vas deferens. Another option for having children later is to take sperm directly from the testicles for in vitro fertilization (IVF), which may not always work. Both reversal and IVF are expensive.
STIs
A vasectomy gives no protection against sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Using a condom every time you have anal, vaginal or oral sex is the only way to protect against them.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Vasectomy," from the NIH National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://medlineplus.gov/vasectomy.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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