For committed, monogamous couples who don't want children or don't want any more children, vasectomy is a great option for preventing unwanted pregnancies. It's a simple, low-risk outpatient procedure that is nearly 100 percent effective. But as is the case with any elective medical procedure, you and your partner should be well-informed of your options, any risks associated, and what the procedure itself entails, before making a decision. Find a rundown of the four most i__mportant things you should know about getting a vasectomy__ below.
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It's a quick procedure with a short recovery. In general, a vasectomy is performed in a doctor's office, using a local anesthetic and only takes 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish. Even more surprisingly, it may actually be performed without the use of a scalpel, if that is the physician's preference. Despite being such a quick procedure, there is a bit of recovery time–your guy will be sore and swollen for a few days. Within a week, your husband should be able to return to all normal activities, though light activity can usually be resumed within the first 48 hours. There is very little risk for lasting side effects, but those include chronic pain, fluid buildup and inflammation.
There is a small risk of failure. Well, sort of. Some studies have shown that a pregnancy has been reported in as many as 1 in 100 vasectomy patients within five years of the procedure. However, this doesn't account for the fact that sterility isn't immediate after the vasectomy is performed. It's suggested that you continue to use a backup method of birth control for the first three months, until a doctor confirms that there is no remaining sperm present in the semen. If you don't use a backup, you could end up pregnant.
The procedure is permanent. For many couples, this is exactly the hope. However, the decision should not be taken lightly. If you find yourself with a growing desire for another child somewhere down the road, there is a nearly 100 percent chance that you've given up your opportunity. Some doctors may be willing to attempt a reversal, but it is much more invasive and costly, and may not be succesful.
It's a better choice than female tubal ligation. If you're waffling between whether to get your tubes tied or getting your man a vasectomy, you should absolutely be aware that not only is a vasectomy a far less invasive procedure, but the risk of complications is much slimmer and the procedure itself is much more affordable–it's even more affordable than years of hormonal birth control. If this is a decision that is being made by a couple, these factors should be very seriously considered before opting out.
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