The Benefits of Getting a Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a surgical form of permanent birth control for men. The vas deferens from each testicle are divided and sealed to prevent sperm from reaching the semen. Vasectomies are considered greater than 99% effective as a form of birth control, but what are the benefits of the procedure?

Benefits of a Vasectomy for Men:

• Vasectomies are more effective.
  • According to the U.S. Office of Population Affairs, less than 1 out of 100 women with a partner who has undergone a vasectomy become pregnant.
• Reliable birth control preventing unplanned pregnancy.
  • The risk of pregnancy after a vasectomy is approximately 1 in 2000 for men who have a post-vasectomy semen analysis that reveals a sperm count of zero based on American Urological Association guidelines.
  • If a couple has decided they no longer want children, this is the surest and safest option for birth control.
• No need for general anesthesia.
  • Unlike tubal ligation, a vasectomy does not require going under general anesthesia. The procedure instead, is most commonly done with a simple local anesthesia. Because a vasectomy does not require anesthesia, the entire process takes Dr. Kavoussi only about 7 minutes to complete, there is no grogginess, and a quicker recovery time.
• Lower health risks.
  • The risks associated with getting a vasectomy are significantly lower than those associated with tubal ligation. From the anesthetic standpoint alone, the risks of general anesthesia are more than local anesthesia. A vasectomy is a less invasive surgery, which means the risk of bleeding and infection is also significantly decreased. In comparison to tubal ligation, there are not vital organs in the area where the procedure is being performed.
• Lower cost than all other forms of birth control.
  • The average cost of a vasectomy is thousands of dollars cheaper than the methods of sterilization for women. Tubal ligation costs an average of a $5,000 to $8,500. In comparison, a vasectomy costs as little as approximately $865 at Austin Center for Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversal.
• It is a one-time cost.
  • It is also worth noting that the cost of a vasectomy is a permanent choice of birth control, which means it is just a one-time expense. With other forms of birth control, such as the pill or condoms, the price may be initially cheaper, but obviously accrues with each purchase, making years of using condoms or oral contraceptives more expensive in the long run. Do note however, that a vasectomy is approached as a permanent form of birth control for those that no longer want to have children.
• The procedure is often covered by insurance.
  • A vasectomy is covered by most insurance providers, meaning that the procedure will cost significantly less once you have met your deductible.
• Does not affect sexual pleasure.
  • For several days directly following the procedure, men may experience some discomfort, however, from that point on a man’s orgasm will be no different than before the vasectomy. Medical professionals say the procedure will not weaken duration or intensity; sensitivity in the penis should not diminish or be affected.
• It is a fast procedure and recovery.
  • In most cases the procedure will take Dr. Kavoussi around 7 minutes, and patients are able to return home immediately following. For recovery, only 48 hours or less are required away from work versus the four to seven days required for a tubal ligation.
• The procedure is done in the doctor’s office rather than an operating room.
  • A contributing factor to the shorter procedure time and lower cost for vasectomies is the fact that the procedure can often be done in the office rather than an operating room. This signifies the simplicity of the procedure, as well as helps many feel more comfortable.
• No scalpel vasectomies available.
  • To even further simplify and improve recovery time, doctors have discovered a no scalpel version of the vasectomy. This option is less invasive and has even less risks associated with it.
• The procedure is almost always reversible.
  • Vasectomies should always be considered a permanent form of male sterilization; however, out of the half a million men in the United States who undergo a vasectomy every year, 6% change their mind sometime in their lifetime– totaling 30,000 men out of this group. Because one may change their mind, the Austin Center perform vasectomies in a manner that makes it possible to later reverse.

Benefits of a Vasectomy for Women:

• Stopping hormonal birth control.
  • Every woman is different in how they react to various types of birth control, but a common side effect for many is exaggerated mood changes due to the hormones. A woman is better able to regulate her mood and feel like herself when those additional hormones are not a factor. It also allows women to no longer worry about trying to remember to take a daily pill.
• Avoiding more invasive tubal ligation.
  • As previously discussed, the procedure, recovery time, and risk factors are all much greater for a tubal ligation in comparison to a vasectomy. A tubal ligation requires a visit to the hospital, an hour or longer procedure in the operating room under general anesthesia, and a potential overnight stay for monitoring. The pain throughout the four to seven day recovery may be more significant, and although the risk is still relatively low, there is no risk to vital organs with a vasectomy.
• Prevent failure of female sterilization, which may result in ectopic pregnancy.
  • The risks associated with pregnancy in women who have undergone tubal ligation include an uncommon occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy which may present a severe health risk to the women and an unsuccessful, painful pregnancy.

The decision to get a vasectomy as a permanent form of birth control is of course a very personal one. The best option for each person is dependent on the individual’s situation and consultation with a doctor; however, there are many benefits as detailed above to be considered for getting a vasectomy.

If you would like to learn more about the process, recovery time, benefits, and more, feel free to contact us!
Sources:
http://www.auanet.org/education/guidelines/vasectomy.cfm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/148512-overview
http://www.hhs.gov/opa/reproductive-health/contraception/male-sterilization/
http://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/articles/21-reasons-to-get-a-vasectomy-w203250
https://www.bestvasectomy.com/benefits-of-vasectomy/ —-benefits for men/women
http://www.vasectomy-information.com/vasectomy-benefits/
http://www.webmd.com/men/features/vasectomy-risks-benefits#1
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/vasectomy
http://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-vasectomy#Effectiveness3
http://www.cigna.com/healthwellness/hw/medical-topics/vasectomy-hw7265
http://www.malehealthcenter.com/c_vasectomy.html