When it comes to vasectomy, the most important decision a man will make is not how it will be done. After all, it is a safe, relatively painless, and straightforward procedure. The decision should focus on why it should be done. The choice may seem uncomplicated, but it is tied to lifestyle, perceptions, and values. One thing, though, is clear: If you have a vasectomy, it will be difficult to ever father another child.

What Should You Consider?

Most men who get vasectomies are in their late 30s and have fathered all of the children they intend to father. Men who are in their 20s who have not yet had children or have decided they do not want to have children, should give the matter serious thought. The procedure is intended as a permanent form of birth control, so the decision should not be made hastily.

In fact, making the decision for the best reasons is the most difficult part about undergoing a vasectomy. As procedures go, it is relatively uncomplicated. Vasectomy is also more than 99% effective. In the majority of cases, it leaves you functioning as well sexually as you did before.

What is not as simple is deciding why you should have a vasectomy. There are very few medical reasons why a man has to have a vasectomy. Contrast this with many middle-aged women who need a hysterectomy for a variety of health concerns or who must undergo a more complicated and riskier surgery in which their fallopian tubes are tied.

What Happens During a Vasectomy?

Sperm are the reproductive cells in men. They are formed in the testes. During sexual climax, sperm emerge from the testes through two narrow tubes called the vas deferens and mix with semen to form ejaculate. The purpose of vasectomy is to cut and tie the vas deferens, so that sperm cannot get through. Instead, the sperm are harmlessly absorbed by the body. You will still ejaculate semen and it will still feel the same. The ejaculate will not be fertile.

During vasectomy, local anesthetic is injected and an incision is made in the scrotum, which is the sac containing the testes. Each of the two vas deferens tubes is cut and tied off. No-scalpel vasectomy, in which a special tool is used to make an opening in the scrotum instead of a scalpel incision, is even simpler. In most cases, you will be awake throughout the 15-20 minute procedure.

After the surgery, there will probably still be some sperm present in your ejaculate for about 3 months, so you will be asked to have two sperm counts done after approximately 20 ejaculations. Use some form of birth control until these two semen analyses have shown that all is clear.

How About Recovery Time?

Swelling, bruising, and pain are the most common complaints right after the procedure. However, these usually subside quickly and respond well to ice packs, mild pain relievers, scrotal support, and rest. You should be able to return to work the next day, but it will take about a week to fully resume normal activities.

You should note no change in your libido or sex drive because vasectomy prevents only the escape of sperm, not the release of testosterone, which drives your libido.

Can the Surgery Be Reversed?

All vasectomies should be considered permanent. A reverse vasectomy can be a risky and expensive proposition, with varying success rates that depend on the type of surgery your doctor does and how much time has passed since the vasectomy. Reversal surgery is also more time consuming and more complicated than a vasectomy. And there are no guarantees that it will work.

A vasectomy is intended to be a permanent procedure. This is important to remember as you begin to decide if a vasectomy is right for you.