In making decisions about planning a family, there are many different contraception choices available. You and your partner need to decide which method suits your needs as a couple. One of those methods is a vasectomy. A vasectomy is a fairly quick and easy procedure that is permanent and reliable.
Family Planning
You and your partner should be open with each other and communicate your wants and needs in terms of raising a family. When you have both agreed on the future of your family, research the various forms of birth control available to you. These forms include temporary and reversible options like condoms, diaphragms, the pill and the patch. Permanent options are either female sterilization by tubal ligation or male sterilization by vasectomy. Because the latter options are permanent, you and your partner should be sure that you do not want to have any more children. The procedures are difficult to reverse.
What is a Vasectomy?
According to Patient UK, a vasectomy is a procedure in which the vas deferens is cut and the two ends are tied. The vas deferens is the tube that brings the sperm from the testes to the penis. With the vas deferens cut, the sperm has no way to get into the semen that is ejaculated during sex. There are two methods for the procedure. Both start with a local anesthetic injected in the side of the scrotum above the testes. With the older procedure, a cut is made on both sides of the scrotum. The vas deferens are pulled through the cuts, a small section is removed, and then the tubes are sealed. The cuts on the skin are closed with stitches or adhesive strips. In the more modern method, sometimes called the no scalpel technique, a small hole is made in the scrotum and the vas deferens are sealed using cautery, or burning. This reduces bruising, swelling and the chance of infection. No stitches are required.
Benefits
According to the Vasectomy Clinic, a vasectomy is the most reliable form of birth control. In fact, it is 50 times more reliable than the birth control pill and 300 times more reliable than condoms in preventing pregnancy. The operation takes between five and 10 minutes and lasts a lifetime. Over time, a vasectomy is also the least expensive form of birth control. Reproductive Health Online says vasectomies do not interfere with intercourse, have no long-term side side effects and do not affect hormone production by the testes or sexual function. Another benefit is that it is a good option for permanent contraception for couples in which a tubal ligation would pose a complication for the woman.
Considerations
As with any operation, there is the risk of infection. Some men claim to have a dull ache in the scrotum for a few months after the operation. This gradually goes away over time. Another thing to consider is that while the operation is reversible, it is complicated and without a 100% guarantee of the man being fertile again. Circumstances could change and some men who have a vasectomy, especially at a young age, regret it later on.
Alternative Options
The Vasectomy Clinic suggests storing sperm prior to the vasectomy in case you and your partner change your minds. Other options include female sterilization or tubal ligation, which is a bit more complicated, or the various forms of temporary contraception such as birth control pills and condoms.
