- A vasectomy is a permanent birth control method for men that’s also known as sterilization. It’s 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.1
- It’s a safe procedure with a low rate of side effects.
- A vasectomy doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs), including HIV.
Vasectomy
- 99% effective
- Permanent
- Performed by a provider
- No hormones
- No STI/STD protection
- Surgical procedure
- During a vasectomy, a doctor cuts the tubes (called the vas deferens) that carry sperm out of a person’s body.
- Semen will look and feel the same. It just won’t have sperm in it anymore.
- You can get a vasectomy at your medical facility.
- In the United States, a vasectomy can cost up to $1,000. The cost may vary depending on where you live.
- Kaiser Permanente members may be able to get a vasectomy at low or no cost.2
- A vasectomy is a one-time procedure that only takes a few minutes. You can go home right away after it’s done.
- You may have temporary pain, bleeding, or swelling. You’ll want to rest for a couple of days and won’t be able to have sex for up to a week.
- It takes about 3 months for your semen to be free of sperm. You’ll need a follow-up visit with your doctor to make sure the surgery worked.
- You should only get a vasectomy if you’re sure you don’t ever want to get someone pregnant in the future.
- Reversal surgery is complicated and expensive, and it’s not guaranteed to work.
- A vasectomy is a permanent birth control method. It’s 99% effective.
- There’s no regular maintenance and no side effects.
- A vasectomy does not change your hormones or sex drive.
- Vasectomies are safe and complications are rare.
- You don’t have to tell anyone you got a vasectomy.
- It’s a permanent procedure, so you can’t change your mind after it’s done.
- A vasectomy doesn’t protect against STIs/STDs, including HIV. You should still use condoms to protect yourself.
- After the surgery, you could have temporary pain, bruising, or an infection that needs to be treated with an antibiotic.
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1“Vasectomy,” Planned Parenthood, PlannedParenthood.org/learn/birth-control/vasectomy/how-effective-vasectomy, accessed August 13, 2019.
2Costs are dependent on your policy terms. For questions about your coverage, please call Member Services or view your benefit coverage documents.