Vasectomy icon
Vasectomy 
  • 99% effective
  • Permanent
  • Performed by a provider
  • No hormones
  • No STI/STD protection
  • Surgical procedure

  

What is it?
  • 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.
  • 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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© 2019 Kaiser Permanente

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.