A vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control for men. It is a surgical procedure, in which two cuts are made in the scrotum. Through the incisions, the vas deferen tubs are cut, and each end is sealed off to prevent sperm from entering the semen. According to Vasectomy.com, this is a highly effective method of birth control, having 99 percent effectiveness. Compared to the 88 percent effectiveness of condoms stated on the same website, a vasectomy is extremely reliable.

Facts

Depending on where you live, and the trends in your particular area, you will probably spend around $700 for a vasectomy. That number can be much lower, or much higher, but in the United States, it is unlikely you will pay more than $1,000. This includes the surgery and follow-up sperm count visits.

Types

There are two different ways to do a vasectomy. Neither method makes the procedure a complicated one, but one way is definitely more convenient for the patient and doctor. The first type of vasectomy requires two incisions in the scrotum. This also means there are stitches to close them up. The second method uses no scalpel, just a piercing device and a hole stretcher. This method requires no stitches and has much less blood loss than the first method.

Considerations

State and federal regulations change from time to time, so make sure you ask your doctor if there are any specified waiting periods for a vasectomy in your state. Also, some states require doctors to wait until the man is a certain age before performing the procedure.

Benefits

The cost benefits of a vasectomy are substantial. No other form of birth control is needed once the process is completed. This eliminates the need for birth control pills, the patch, an intrauterine device, or the shot. Also, if it comes down to either the man or the woman getting sterilized, the cheapest way to go is a vasectomy. A tubal ligation for a woman is a much more serious operation that can cost at least six times as much money.

Misconceptions

Men are not sterile immediately following a vasectomy. For some men, it can take two months to get rid of all active sperm. For this reason, doctors test the semen several times after the surgery until the sperm count is 0. This can take 20 ejaculations to happen.

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