How Effective Is a Vasectomy?

man talking to doctor.

If even the word vasectomy gives you chills, consider that 50 million men have had one, and 500,000 men have a vasectomy every year in the United States. That information tells you that this elective surgical procedure is a popular one, but it doesn’t prove it works. How effective is a vasectomy? Let’s find out.

Permanent Birth Control

Medical science tells us that getting a vasectomy provides permanent birth control for men. What a man considering a vasectomy wants to know more than anything else is: does it work?

man talking to doctor.

Here are some facts and suppositions from reputable institutions:

  • The National Institute of Health (NIH) tells us vasectomy is one of the most effective forms of birth control.
  • A vasectomy is more than 99% effective, says the NHS, or United Kingdom National Health Service.
  • Planned Parenthood states that a vasectomy is one of the most effective kinds of birth control. It is almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy.
  • The Cleveland Clinic says 1 in 10,000 cases can fail, but far less than for condoms which fail about 1% of the time or 1 out of 100 times one is used.

There seems to be universal agreement that a vasectomy is effective, the most effective, and more than 99% effective.

If you are considering a vasectomy in Houston, TX schedule a one-on-one consultation with urologist, Dr. Edward Sanchez. Call us today at (281) 351-5174.

What Can Go Wrong?

Yes, vasectomy is effective, but what causes the 1% mistake? You certainly do not want to be part of that 1%.  

One of the first things Dr. Sanchez will tell you is to not have unprotected sex after the procedure until you come back for a follow-up appointment. That appointment is specifically to test that your semen does not have any sperm in it. This result is typically achieved in about three to six months. You may need to retest if there is any residual sperm on the first sample. In the meantime, use protection like a condom or other means if you have sex during that period. It is also recommended that you ejaculate multiple times, as this can help speed up the process. 

This could take around 12 weeks before all sperm is gone from your tubes. Don’t have unprotected sex until Dr. Sanchez tells you it’s safe. That is a short time to wait for a lifetime of permanent birth control.

What a Vasectomy DOES

A vasectomy does create a permanent form of birth control.

It does stop sperm from leaving your body by closing off and dividing the ends of the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm. 

It does mean you will still make sperm but will be unable to ejaculate it. Semen will still be part of the ejaculate, but will contain no sperm once the process is complete. 

It does provide a safe and effective birth control method.

It does prevent you from having children (or more children) so be positive in your decision.

It does sometimes cause minor bruising and swelling immediately after the procedure

What a Vasectomy Does NOT Do

A vasectomy does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. 

It does not affect testosterone production. 

It does not affect libido. 

It does not typically affect the amount of semen.

It does not affect erections, climaxes, or stamina.

You could say: Get it and forget it.

Contact Dr. Edward Sanchez at (281) 351-5174 if you are considering a vasectomy in Houston, TX, and have more questions.

Sources: 

Vasectomy (male sterilisation) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

What is the Effectiveness of a Vasectomy? (plannedparenthood.org)

How effective is vasectomy? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (nih.gov)

Vasectomy failure: It’s uncommon, but there are 3 reasons it could happen | HealthPartners Blog

man talking to doctor.

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