For couples who are looking for a permanent birth control option, a vasectomy is often a good choice. A vasectomy is a surgical procedure used to permanently prevent a man from being able to get a woman pregnant. It is a safe procedure with few side effects, which makes it the first choice for many couples.

The Procedure

The testicles are connected to the penis by two tubes called the vas deferens. Their role is to carry the sperm from the testicles, where it is made and stored, to the penis and out of the body during sexual intercourse.

A vasectomy is an outpatient, office-based procedure. During the procedure, your physician will numb the scrotum near your testicles. A small incision will be made on each side near the vas deferens, through which the physician will cut the vas deferens. The open ends of the tubes will be closed, thus preventing the sperm from completing the trip out of the body.

Recovery Time

After the vasectomy, your doctor will advise you to use ice to numb any pain in your scrotum. This also prevents swelling in the area. Most men are able to return to their normal activities within a day. You may notice some pain and bruising around the surgical site after the surgery, but this should not prohibit you from returning to work.

For several weeks after surgery, you will need to bring in samples of your semen. These will be checked to make sure that your sperm count is decreasing. Once your sperm count has reached zero, you can engage in sexual activity without any other form of birth control. You will not notice a difference in the quality of your sexual experience after the procedure.

Considerations About the Procedure

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that creates permanent infertility. While it is possible to have the surgery reversed, you should not have this procedure done until you are certain that you are finished having children. Also, bringing in the semen samples is essential, because there is a slight possibility of the procedure reversing itself.