Effectiveness Common Questions To learn more about reversible Vasectomy is over 99% effective at preventing Will the operation hurt? birth control methods: pregnancy. That means that out of 100 men less than Most men feel some discomfort during a Check out our brochures on: 1 pregnancy will happen. Tubal ligation is a little less vasectomy — usually when the local anaesthetic The Pill effective than vasectomy — about 98%. That means (painkiller) is injected into their scrotum. During Depo Provera (“The Shot”) that out of 100 women about 2 pregnancies will a tubal ligation, women are given an anesthetic so Emergency Contraception (“EC”) happen over a period of 10 years. that they won’t feel any pain during the operation. Condoms The IUD Will sterilization change my hormones? The Ring No! Sterilization does not change male or female The Patch FACT: Sterilization is hormones — the hormones that make you a man or permanent birth control. a woman. If you are a man, you will continue to Check out our website at: Take time to be sure about have erections, and you will still ejaculate (come). If www.kingcounty.gov/health/famplan your decision. you are a woman, you will continue to have your periods, just like before the operation. To find a Family Planning Provider near you: Will sterilization change how I am sexually? Call the Family Planning Hotline Vasectomy or Tubal Ligation? Sterilization will not change your sex drive! Both 1-800-770-4334 OR TTY 1-800-848-5429 One of the benefits of sterilization is that both men and women are able to function sexually after For confidential information and referrals men and women can choose to do it. Sometimes, sterilization. Most people find that they enjoy sex couples have trouble deciding who is going to get the more, because they are no longer worried about To prevent pregnancy after pregnancy. procedure—the man or the woman. The information unprotected sex, or after your below will help you to compare vasectomy and birth control method fails: What if I change my mind in a few years? Is it tubal ligation: reversible? Call the Emergency Contraception Hotline: Vasectomy is done in a health provider’s office. Both vasectomy and tubal ligation are permanent 1-888-NOT-2-LATE (1-888-668-2528) Tubal ligation is usually done in a hospital. (non-reversible) birth control methods. Reversal or check out the Emergency Contraception website: Vasectomy is done under local anesthetic. is possible with both methods, but reversals are www.not-2-late.com to find a clinic or pharmacy Tubal ligation is usually done under general expensive, and their success rate is not high. near you. anesthesia—but local anesthetic is sometimes Sterilization is a very personal and important an option. decision. If you think you might change your mind Recovery from vasectomy usually takes about 48 later, sterilization may not be the best choice for hours. Recovery from tubal ligation usually takes you right now. about one week. The failure rate for vasectomy is about 1%. The failure rate for tubal ligation is slightly higher at about 2%. 7/2004 450-0527 What is it? Vasectomy: What to Expect Tubal Ligation: What to Expect Benefits of Sterilization Sterilization is permanent birth control. That means Vasectomy is a simple operation that takes about 30 Tubal ligation takes about 30 minutes. It does not ● Safe, effective, permanent birth control it is not reversible. There are different sterilization minutes. Here are the basics of what to expect: remove any organs, and is not the same thing as a ● Good option for men and women who do not want procedures for men and women. Male sterilization is ● A local painkiller is injected into the skin of the hysterectomy. Here are the basics of what to expect: any more children called vasectomy. Female sterilization is called tubal scrotum (the sack that holds the balls). ● You can get a tubal ligation right after childbirth or ● Does not interrupt sex ● ligation, or having your tubes tied. Your health provider will make a small opening in the at any time during your menstrual cycle. ● Does not change your ability to enjoy sex skin of the scrotum. This allows your provider to ● Your provider will give you a general anesthetic so reach the tubes and tie or seal them. that you are asleep during the operation. Sometimes Some Disadvantages: FACT: In the U.S., 1 out of 4 ● You can go home the same day that you get the you have the option of a local anesthetic (you are What You Should Know vasectomy. awake, but feel no pain). couples choose sterilization. ● Sterilization is permanent. You need to be sure ● Your health provider will make a small cut on the that you do not want any more children. After Your Vasectomy side of your belly button, or lower down on your ● Young people have more regret about steriliza- It is normal to feel soreness, swelling, or bruising for a abdomen. This allows your provider to reach the How Vasectomy Works tion—if you are under 30, it is important to be few days after the vasectomy. You can help yourself tubes and tie off, burn or seal them. Vasectomy is a simple operation that is done in a absolutely sure about your decision. heal faster by following these simple steps: ● You can usually go home the same day that you get clinic or health provider’s office. During the operation, ● Some men and women are afraid of having an ● Rest for the first few days - avoid heavy lifting for at the procedure. a health provider blocks the tubes that carry sperm least 48 hours. operation, even if it is minor. from the testes (balls) to the penis. Once the tubes are ● Use ice packs on the scrotum for the first 24 hours Note: If you are worried about having an operation, you ● Sterilization does not protect you from HIV or blocked, sperm cannot get to the penis, or to woman’s after the operation. This will decrease bruising and can ask your health provider about a new type of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You egg. This means that a man can enjoy sex without help with swelling. female sterilization called Essure. This method still need to use a condom if you think you need worrying about getting his partner pregnant. ● Wear a jock strap to help with swelling. does not require any cutting and can be done protection. How Tubal Ligation Works ● Wait until your cut is healed before you have sex. while you are awake. Tubal ligation is a minor operation that is done in a Risks: What You Should Know clinic or hospital. During the operation, a health Note: Vasectomy is not effective immediately. It takes After Your Tubal Ligation Both vasectomy and tubal ligation are very safe It is normal to feel some pain or soreness in your provider blocks the fallopian tubes (the tubes that about 12 weeks for sperm to clear from your operations. However, every operation has some risks. tubes. You will need to get a test to find out for abdomen after the tubal ligation. Most women feel carry a woman’s egg to her womb or uterus). Once the Risks from sterilization are not common, but it is certain that your sperm count is zero. Use much better within a week if they follow these tips: tubes are blocked, the egg and sperm can’t meet. This important to know about them: another method of birth control, like condoms, ● Rest for the first few days means that a woman can enjoy sex without fear of ● For women, there is a risk of complication from until you get your test. ● Avoid heavy physical work for at least 1 week pregnancy. the general anesthesia used in a tubal ligation. ● Wait to have sex until you feel comfortable ● For women, if tubal ligation doesn’t work and a Who Chooses Sterilization? Note: A tubal ligation is effective immediately. woman gets pregnant, there is a higher chance Men and women from all walks of life choose “I finally decided to have a vasectomy that her pregnancy will be ectopic (in the tubes). sterilization. Here are some of their reasons: and I am glad I did. No more worrying “I knew I didn’t want any more kids, ● For both men and women, there is a very small ● They already have all the children they want about my wife getting pregnant and so I chose to get a tubal. I love the risk of infection after the operation. ● They know they don’t want children at all best of all, no more condoms!” freedom from worry. I don’t have to ● They want to enjoy sex without fear of pregnancy — Shawn, age 34 think about birth control anymore!” ● Pregnancy is risky for mother or baby because of father of 3 health problems. — Maria, age 31 mother of 2