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Home , Castration, Sterilization (medicine), Vasectomy

Can be undone? control. Some of the reversible methods are METHODS OF Vasectomy should be considered permanent. as effective as but when you Method in It is very difficult to reverse. Even though the stop using them you are still able to cause 100 couples in can sometimes be reconnected or . Your options for birth control are the first year of cells removed with a needle and syringe, listed in the table at the end of this pamphlet. typical use pregnancy may still not be possible. Vasectomy may be a good choice for you if: Vasectomy Less than one Some men are interested in storing their sperm • You are sure you do not want children in the in a sperm bank before having a vasectomy. You future, even if your partner does. Tubal sterilization Less than one should talk about this with your doctor. • Pregnancy would be dangerous to your Intrauterine Less than one Are there any forms I need to fill out? partner’s health. contraception • You cannot use or do not want to use other You will need to sign a consent form before your Contraceptive Less than one birth control methods. operation. If you have Medi-Cal, you must sign injection the consent form at least 30 days before your • You have a medical problem that you could Birth control pills 5 operation. You do not need permission from pass onto your children. your partner or anyone else. After you sign the Think carefully about your decision to use Contraceptive 2 consent, you can still change your mind at any permanent birth control! Vasectomy and tubal patch or ring time before the operation. sterilization are safe, effective, and provide permanent protection from pregnancy. Talk Male 14 Is a vasectomy the same as ? with your clinician and make sure all of your Diaphragm, 20 No. Vasectomy is simply blocking the tubes questions have been answered. that carry a man’s sperm. The are not Make up your own mind about what is right removed. Periodic 25 for you. abstinence Are there other ways to prevent pregnancy? Withdrawal 19 Before you make up your mind about vasectomy, you might also want to think about tubal 26 Permanent sterilization, which is permanent birth control No method 85 for women. Vasectomy is safer, simpler, and Birth Control less expensive than tubal sterilization. Additional copies of this brochure for Men If you think you might want may be obtained from the children in the future, you Department of Health Care Services web site: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/PermanentBirthControl.aspx or your partner should use a reversible method of birth CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

OSP 15 137496 There are two kinds of birth control, reversible During a vasectomy the vas deferens are blocked. How will vasectomy affect me? and permanent. Permanent birth control for men Afterwards, the man will still ejaculate but no sperm Vasectomy will NOT: is called vasectomy. Permanent birth control for will leave his body. women is called tubal sterilization or a “tubal.” This • Change the ability to get an erection. pamphlet is about vasectomy. For more information What happens to the sperm? • Change ejaculation. about tubal sterilization, ask for the pamphlet, The testicles continue to make sperm, but the body • Lower a man’s sex drive or desire. “Permanent Birth Control for Women.” absorbs them. • Make a man more feminine. The information about vasectomy in this pamphlet How is vasectomy done? • Change male . will help you decide if permanent birth control is right for you. Don’t let anybody else make the This operation is done in a doctor’s office or clinic. • Cause a higher voice. decision for you. It is your choice. First, is used to numb a part of the • Protect against sexually transmitted . Then the doctor will make one or two (STIs) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). small cuts in the skin of the scrotum to reach the You may want permanent birth control if: • Increase risk of heart . tubes that carry the sperm. After each vas deferens • You are sure you do not want children in is tied and cut, the skin is closed. When can I start having sex again after the • Increase risk for cancer. the future, even if your partner does. operation? • Fix sexual, emotional or relationship problems. • Pregnancy would be dangerous to your What are the risks? You can start having sex as soon as you feel partner’s health. Any operation can cause health problems—some comfortable, but you still need to use temporary Many men enjoy sex more after having a vasectomy • You and your partner can’t use or do not want minor and some serious. Minor problems may birth control until there are no more sperm in your because they no longer have to worry about their to use other birth control methods. include soreness, swelling, or bruising of the . partner getting pregnant. • You have a medical problem that you could scrotum. These usually go away in a few days Some men may regret having had a vasectomy. You pass on to your children. without any treatment. How soon will I be able to stop using other kinds should think carefully before having a vasectomy, of birth control? Serious health problems are rare. They include especially if you are young or do not have children. How does vasectomy work? After the operation, you can still get a or bleeding inside the scrotum. A man’s testicles make sperm constantly. During pregnant if you have sex without birth control. Your Are there any health problems that can occur sex the sperm travel through two tiny tubes, called What will I feel during the operation? doctor will tell you when to have your semen tested. after vasectomy? the vas deferens. You can stop using other birth control when there Most men say they feel a brief sharp stinging when Vasectomy has NOT been shown to cause cancer, As the sperm move are no more sperm in your semen. It usually takes the local anesthetic is given, and not much more heart disease, or other unhealthy conditions. through the vas from 15–20 ejaculations to remove all the sperm. once the anesthetic starts to work. deferens, they mix Will vasectomy protect me from STIs and HIV? How effective is vasectomy? with fluid to form What should I expect after the operation? No. Vasectomy will not protect you from STIs ejaculate (semen Vasectomy is a very effective and permanent way to You will go home a few hours after the operation. like chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts, herpes, or “cum”). After prevent pregnancy. However, there is a very small You will want to take it easy for a few days. Your syphilis, or HIV. If you are at risk for STIs or HIV, you ejaculation, if a chance that you could make a woman pregnant doctor will give you instructions for follow-up care. should use a every time you have sex, even sperm joins with a even though the vasectomy was done correctly. Be if you have had a vasectomy. woman’s egg, the sure to have your semen tested after the operation. woman may get pregnant.