Every year, more than half a million men in America choose to have a vasectomy. This safe, effective procedure is the only permanent birth control for men. Although many men may be concerned about a procedure in such a delicate area, it’s less dramatic than you might think. A vasectomy is minimally invasive and usually takes less than 30 minutes right in your doctor’s office.
Do you think it may be time for a vasectomy? Here are 10 reasons men get one:
10 Reasons Why Men Get Vasectomies
- Family is the right size – When you know for sure that you and your partner are done growing your family, a vasectomy takes the “oops” factor out of your relationship.
- Cost-Effective – Over time, a vasectomy can be a more cost-effective option than buying birth control. It’s also much less than the cost of raising children. The cost of the procedure is probably less than you think, and is often covered by insurance.
- Tired of dealing with other birth control – Other forms of birth control require maintenance, and some require a certain amount of preparation. A vasectomy ends the quick trips to the store, the pause to find and use other methods, and the worry of accidents. If your partner uses a medical form of birth control, it also saves her from needing appointments for injections, prescriptions, or implants.
- Removing the burden from your partner – There are at least 11 forms of birth control designed for women today and only 2 for men. Female birth control is generally more expensive, intrusive, and has more health risks than male birth control. A vasectomy saves her from uncomfortable implant procedures and the side effects of hormones.
- It won’t affect functioning, performance, or sensation – A vasectomy is a small cut to the tube that delivers sperm. It doesn’t involve or affect hormones or the penis. After recovery, everything will work as usual. You won’t notice any change in functioning, performance, or sensation.
- Permanence – It’s quick, easy, and permanent. After you get the “all clear” from your doctor, there are no required checkups, no maintenance, and you never have to think about birth control again.
- Safer than tubal ligation – The female version of sterilization is tubal ligation. It’s a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia and incisions into the woman’s abdomen, which makes it riskier than a vasectomy. Risks to her include bleeding, infection, damage to other abdominal organs, and reaction to anesthesia. Vasectomies are done in the office, with local anesthesia, and rarely result in complications.
- It rarely fails – A vasectomy is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, and it is mistake-proof, unlike condoms. Condom boxes say they are 99% effective, but that’s only when they are used correctly. The reality is condoms are closer to 85% effective because of human error.
- It’s quick, simple, and low-risk – A vasectomy can be performed in your doctor’s office using local anesthesia, meaning you will be awake through the procedure. It usually takes less than a half-hour and has very few risks. It doesn’t affect the penis, testicles, or other organs.
- Recovery is quick and side effects are rare – Some swelling and bruising are to be expected. Most men can return to work 2-3 days after a vasectomy and resume most normal activities in a week. Risks like infection are possible but rare.
Don’t delay your vasectomy any longer – schedule an appointment today!