Vasectomy is the permanent method of birth control for men and is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy in a woman. It has a long track record as a safe and effective method of contraception. However, men should carefully consider if it is the right choice for them because it is permanent. Reversing a vasectomy is difficult, expensive and often unsuccessful, so it is best not to have a vasectomy with the expectation that it can be restored later. In fact, if you think you might have a change of heart, it may be better to consider less permanent contraception methods until you are clear and confident about your decision.

To understand how a vasectomy works, it helps to understand first how a woman becomes pregnant. The man's testicles produce sperm. When the sperm mature, they move through two small tubes called the vas deferens. When a man becomes sexually aroused, the sperm mix with a white fluid and this mixture is released from the penis as semen. During orgasm, millions of the man's sperm are released into the woman's vagina. The sperm then move up through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. If one sperm meets an egg in the fallopian tube, pregnancy will begin. Pregnancy can only occur by the meeting of the sperm and the egg. One way of preventing pregnancy is to make sure that the egg and the sperm cannot meet.

How does a vasectomy work?

In a vasectomy the two vas deferens tubes are cut and blocked off. After these tubes are cut, the sperm will no longer be able to move from the testicles and out of the penis. Therefore, during sexual intercourse, no sperm will be able to enter the woman's reproductive system. Only sperm are blocked from coming out of the penis, not the fluid. After vasectomy, men continue to ejaculate the same amount of fluid as they did prior to vasectomy.

How is a vasectomy done?

A vasectomy takes about 15 to 20 minutes and can be done in the doctor's office. A local anesthetic is used to numb the scrotum. The doctor then makes two small cuts in the scrotum. The man can usually go home right after the procedure.

Can a vasectomy be reversed?

A vasectomy should be considered permanent. It is a permanent form of birth control and is highly difficult to reverse. Although significant advances in surgery have made the vasectomy reversal possible, it is still best for someone who is thinking about having a vasectomy to regard permanent as completely permanent.

Is vasectomy effective immediately?

No. The man is not sterile right after a vasectomy. Sperm can remain in the vas deferens for several weeks. During this time, he can still make a woman pregnant, so another method of birth control must be used. The man should see his doctor four to eight weeks after the vasectomy to learn if any more sperm are in the vas deferens. When the doctor tells him that there are no sperm in the tubes, the vasectomy is effective. Vasectomy is very effective in preventing pregnancy, but does have a 1 in 400 failure rate.