Vasectomy

Vasectomy
Background
Type	Sterilization
First use	1899 (experiments from 1785)[1]
Failure rates (first year)
Perfect use	0.10%[2]
Typical use	0.15%[2] "Vas-Clip" nearly 1%
Usage
Duration effect	Permanent
Reversibility	Possible
User reminders	A negative semen specimen is required to verify no sperm.[3]
Clinic review	All
Advantages and disadvantages
STI protection	No
Benefits	No need for general anesthesia. Lower cost and less invasive than tubal ligation for females.
Risks	Temporary local inflammation of the testes, long-term genital pain.

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Vasectomy is an elective surgical procedure that results in male sterilization, often as a means of permanent contraception. During the procedure, the male vasa deferentia are cut and tied or sealed so as to prevent sperm from entering into the urethra and thereby prevent fertilization of a female through sexual intercourse. Vasectomies are usually performed in a physician's office, medical clinic, or, when performed on a non-human animal, in a veterinary clinic. Hospitalization is not normally required as the procedure is not complicated, the incisions are small, and the necessary equipment routine.

There are several methods by which a surgeon might complete a vasectomy procedure, all of which occlude (i.e., "seal") at least one side of each vas deferens. To help reduce anxiety and increase patient comfort, those who have an aversion to needles may consider a "no-needle" application of anesthesia while the 'no-scalpel' or 'open-ended' techniques help to accelerate recovery times and increase the chance of healthy recovery.^[4]

Due to the simplicity of the surgery, a vasectomy usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete. After a short recovery at the doctor's office (usually less than an hour), the patient is sent home to rest. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, many vasectomy patients find that they can resume their typical sexual behavior within a week, and do so with little or no discomfort.

Because the procedure is considered a permanent method of contraception and is not easily reversed, patients are frequently counseled and advised to consider how the long-term outcome of a vasectomy might affect them both emotionally and physically. The procedure is not typically encouraged for young single childless people as their risk of later regret is higher as chances of biological parenthood are thereby permanently reduced, often completely.^{[citation needed]} A vasectomy without the patient's consent or knowledge is considered forced sterilization.