FAQ.

A vasectomy is a safe and effective form of permanent male birth control. It is an outpatient procedure that renders a man sterile. The vas deferens – tubes carrying sperm from the testicles – are cut and sealed. The sperm is blocked from being ejaculated in the semen, preventing conception.

Once the vas tubes are cut, sperm can't get into the semen or out of the body. The testes still make sperm, but the sperm die and are absorbed by the body. A man who has had a vasectomy still makes semen and is able to ejaculate. But the semen doesn't contain sperm.

Typically, the only discomfort experienced during the procedure is the injection of local anesthetic. You may feel a sensation of pulling on your scrotum. Post-procedure, there may be some swelling, bruising and mild discomfort for up to a week.

You probably know it works or you wouldn't be here!

Here are the numbers... Vasectomy is more than 99 percent effective.

Only one to two women out of every 1,000 has reported a pregnancy in the first year after their partner had a vasectomy.

Yes! You will be able to orgasm and ejaculate just like you did before the procedure... the only way to tell a difference is to look at it under a microscope.

ABSOLUTELY! Vasectomy has no effect on erectile function.

Nope. There are no studies that show a causal relationship between vasectomy and cancer.

Absolutely not. The blockage of sperm has no effect on the testosterone hormone produced in your testicles.

Well... let's start by saying if you may want to have children in the future, you should not have a vasectomy. While reversing a vasectomy is possible, vasectomy reversal is expensive, prone to failure, and more difficult to recover from compared to the original snip.

NO!!!! Vasectomies are not immediately effective. Sperm may remain in the tubes and be carried out in the ejaculate. It may take a few months and 15-20 ejaculations before that sperm is completely ejected or reabsorbed into the body. A sperm count is critical a few months after vasectomy to ensure the procedure was effective.

A vasectomy is a very low-risk procedure. Common, minor side effects include swelling, bruising or bleeding in the scrotum, and bloody semen. Infection at the site of the procedure is rare. About 1 in 100 men have long term testicular discomfort or pain after vasectomy.

Other uncommon complications include:

Fluid buildup in the testicle, which can cause a dull ache that gets worse with ejaculation

• Inflammation caused by leaking sperm (granuloma)

• Pregnancy, in the event that your vasectomy fails, which is rare.

• An abnormal cyst (spermatocele) that develops in the small, coiled tube located on the upper testicle that collects and transports sperm (epididymis)

• A fluid-filled sac (hydrocele) surrounding a testicle that causes swelling in the scrotum

While it is very rare, the answer is Yes. There is always a risk of pain after procedures on the human body. About 1 in 100 men have long term testicular discomfort or pain after vasectomy that may need further care or intervention.

Tubal ligation is the tying of the fallopian tubes to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. It is generally a complex procedure requiring hospitalization and general anesthesia. The risk of complication to the woman is significantly higher than vasectomy and tubal ligation has a longer recovery period (1 - 3 weeks or longer) compared to vasectomy.

Tubal ligation is far more expensive than vasectomy.

A vasectomy may not be a good idea for men who have:

Chronic pain issues including chronic testicular pain

Testicular diseases

A history of bleeding or blood disorders

Allergies or sensitivities to anesthetics (such as lidocaine or novocaine) or antibiotics

Skin conditions of the scrotum

Had past injury or surgery on the genitals

Recent or repeat urinary tract or genital infections

An excellent online resource on these topics can be found at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vasectomy-beyond-the-basics/