Vasectomy
Vasectomy is minor surgery to block sperm from reaching the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. Semen still exists, but it has no sperm in it. After a vasectomy the testes still make sperm, but they are soaked up by the body. Each year, more than 500,000 men in the U.S. choose vasectomy for birth control. A vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any other method of birth control, except abstinence. Only 1 to 2 women out of 1,000 will get pregnant in the year after their partners have had a vasectomy.
There are two types of vasectomies: the incision method, and the no-scalpel (no-cut) method. No-cut methods lower the risk of infection and other complications, and generally take less time to heal.
Vasectomies are meant to be permanent — so they usually can’t be reversed. You should only get a vasectomy if you’re 100% positive you don’t want to be able to get someone pregnant for the rest of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Safe and effective form of birth control
- Quick, outpatient procedure that can be done in the office
- Vasectomies should be considered a permanent form of male birth control.
- Vasectomy reversals are possible, but
- Efficacy - most effective form of birth control (except abstinence), almost 100%
- Average age: 38
- Age Range: 35 - 45
- Men with 2+ children
- World wide, most commonly relied on from of contraception
- Less dangerous form of birth control
- Inexpensive form of birth control compared to female sterilization (tubal ligation)
The procedure is generally covered by your medical insurance carrier, however, you may be subject to a copay, deductible, and/or co-insurance. Please contact your medical insurance carrier to verify your benefits and eligibility.
No insurance? Call our office for our cash prices.
- Call our office for a consultation with our providers.
- Contact your insurance carrier to verify your benefits and eligibility.
Sperm adds very little to the semen volume, so you shouldn't notice any change in your ejaculate after vasectomy. Your partner may sometimes be able to feel the vasectomy site. This is particularly true if you have developed a granuloma.
Ejaculation and orgasm are usually not affected by vasectomy. The special case is the rare man who has developed post-vasectomy pain syndrome.
An uncomplicated vasectomy can't cause impotence.
There is a small chance that a vasectomy may fail. This occurs when sperm leaking from one end of the cut vas deferens find a channel to the other cut end.
In rare cases, the testicular artery may be hurt during vasectomy. Other problems, such as a mass of blood (hematoma) or infection, may also affect the testicles.
Yes, but if you haven't stored frozen sperm you'll need an additional procedure. The vas deferens can be microsurgically reconnected in a procedure called vasectomy reversal. If you don't want to have vasectomy reversal, sperm can be taken from the testicle or the epididymis and used for in vitro fertilization. These procedures are costly and may not be covered by your health plan. Also, they don't always work. If you think you may want to have children one day, you should look into nonsurgical forms of birth control before deciding to have a vasectomy.