Vasectomy/Sterilization
What is it?
Vasectomy, also known as sterilization, is a surgical procedure to close or block the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm to the penis).
How does it work?
- In a vasectomy procedure, your doctor will remove or block the vas deferens (tubes that carry sperm to the penis) to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg.
- Your doctor will use local anesthesia and make a small incision or puncture on the skin of the scrotum to reach the vas deferens.
- You will need to use another form of contraception until a semen analysis shows no sperm present.
How effective is it?
- Vasectomy is 99.85% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Only 1-2 people out of 1,000 will have an unplanned pregnancy in the first year after their partner has a vasectomy.
Does it prevent sexually transmitted infections?
- No, a Vasectomy will not protect you or your partners from sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
- To protect against pregnancy and STBBIs, use dual protection. This means using a condom and/or oral dam (dental dam) with another form of birth control each time you have sex.
- Talk to a health-care provider about birth control and STBBI prevention.