Does a Vasectomy Work?

Does a Vasectomy Work?

Vasectomy is a method of male birth control. The procedure prevents sperm from mixing with semen, and after getting a vasectomy, you won’t be able to father a child anymore.

Getting a vasectomy is a quick outpatient procedure that takes around 30 minutes. There’s no surgery, no scalpels, and no long recovery time, which makes many men wonder if the procedure really works.

Our team at Advanced Urology is here to share the truth. Vasectomy is over 99.99% effective in preventing pregnancy after a few months, and it’s the most reliable form of male birth control that exists.

We specialize in no-scalpel vasectomies for men of all ages around Los Angeles, California. If you’re curious about the procedure, you’ve come to the right place.

When to consider getting a vasectomy

Vasectomy prevents you from getting your partner pregnant. It’s a safe and effective procedure, but getting a vasectomy is a major decision.

Most men who get vasectomies do it because they’re certain they don’t want children at all, or if they already have children, they don’t want any more.

If you’re in a committed relationship, talk to your partner about the decision. Some couples choose vasectomy if pregnancy could put the woman’s health at serious risk, or if one or both people are carriers of genetic disorders they don’t want to pass on.

While a vasectomy can be reversed in certain situations, you should consider it a permanent procedure that ends your ability to have children.

How vasectomy works

No-scalpel vasectomies at Advanced Urology require local anesthesia. We numb your scrotum and make a small puncture in the skin to reach the vas deferens, or the tubes that carry sperm. 

Your doctor carefully cuts the vas deferens, either using cauterization, tying, or another method. The puncture hole is so small that it doesn’t need stitches, and your vasectomy is complete.

When the vas deferens are cut, your sperm supply is cut, too. Sperm no longer mixes with your semen. Once you recover, you won’t be able to get your partner pregnant anymore.

Making sure your vasectomy is effective

The key to ensuring your vasectomy works is following our instructions during recovery. Vasectomy isn’t immediately effective, and you need to wait about three months for your semen to be completely free of sperm.

To avoid unintended pregnancy, continue using other forms of birth control, like condoms, every time you have sexual intercourse during this time. Only stop using other forms of birth control when our team tells you it's OK to do so.

You need to come in for a couple of semen analyses in the months after your vasectomy. We test your semen and do a sperm count to determine when you’re no longer fertile. Once your sperm count is low enough, you can consider your vasectomy effective.

When you’re done having children, vasectomy is a safe and easy form of permanent birth control. Find out if it’s a good option for you with a consultation at Advanced Urology. Contact us online or call the office nearest you today — they’re located in Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, Culver City, and San Pedro. California.

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Vasectomies are a popular method of male birth control. The procedure is safe and effective — but it’s also permanent, which means you need to be sure about your decision. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering a vasectomy.