Sterilization - Sexual Health Peer Resource Center

How it works: Most sterilization techniques involve the mechanical removal of small parts of the reproductive system of either the male or the female, thus assuring that the sperm and the egg cannot unite. The sterilization operation for a man is a vasectomy (the cutting and tying off of the vas deferens which carries sperm from the testes to the ejaculate fluid). For a woman it is either tubal ligation (the cutting and tying off of the fallopian tubes) or more uncommonly the hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus). For a woman, tubal ligation is the preferred procedure for many reasons (including safer, less expensive, fewer physical and psychological adverse side effects). Neither male nor female sterilization interferes with sexual function; men can still have erections and both men and women can still orgasm.

Effectiveness (failure rate): Tubal ligation = 0.04%; Vasectomy = 0.15%. Most failures occur because the woman ovulated prior to her surgery and had intercourse soon following the surgery, or because the man did not ejaculate the required 20 times (to clear the reproductive tract of sperm) before relying on his vasectomy for contraception.

Contraindications:

Any contraindication to surgery
For vasectomy = Hernia, fixed or undescended testicle, hydrocele, or a thick, tough scrotum or scrotum lesions

Possible short-term side effects, risks, and considerations:

Tubal ligation = pain, infection (rare), and post-surgical bleeding (rare)
Vasectomy = swelling, discomfort, discoloration, infection (rare)

Sterilization should be considered a permanent, non-reversible form of contraception

Benefits:

Sterilization is a one-time method of contraception and does not interfere with sexual spontaneity
It is a safe procedure

How to use it: After a vasectomy a man is not sterile immediately. Use another method of birth control for at least the first 20 ejaculations after the operation. After a tubal ligation, a woman is sterile immediately unless she ovulated 48 hours before the surgery.

How to get it: It is recommended that either choose a doctor who is experienced in these surgeries, as well as considering counseling prior to the decision.

Costs: Tubal ligation = $1600-2500; Vasectomy = $500-1000


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	Choosing a Method Non-Methods Barrier Methods Hormonal Methods Chemical Methods Combination Methods Intrauterine Device Natural Family Planning Emergency Contraceptive Pill Fertility Charting Abstinence Sterilization	Sterilization How it works: Most sterilization techniques involve the mechanical removal of small parts of the reproductive system of either the male or the female, thus assuring that the sperm and the egg cannot unite. The sterilization operation for a man is a vasectomy (the cutting and tying off of the vas deferens which carries sperm from the testes to the ejaculate fluid). For a woman it is either tubal ligation (the cutting and tying off of the fallopian tubes) or more uncommonly the hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus). For a woman, tubal ligation is the preferred procedure for many reasons (including safer, less expensive, fewer physical and psychological adverse side effects). Neither male nor female sterilization interferes with sexual function; men can still have erections and both men and women can still orgasm. Effectiveness (failure rate): Tubal ligation = 0.04%; Vasectomy = 0.15%. Most failures occur because the woman ovulated prior to her surgery and had intercourse soon following the surgery, or because the man did not ejaculate the required 20 times (to clear the reproductive tract of sperm) before relying on his vasectomy for contraception. Contraindications: Any contraindication to surgery For vasectomy = Hernia, fixed or undescended testicle, hydrocele, or a thick, tough scrotum or scrotum lesions Possible short-term side effects, risks, and considerations: Tubal ligation = pain, infection (rare), and post-surgical bleeding (rare) Vasectomy = swelling, discomfort, discoloration, infection (rare) Sterilization should be considered a permanent, non-reversible form of contraception Benefits: Sterilization is a one-time method of contraception and does not interfere with sexual spontaneity It is a safe procedure How to use it: After a vasectomy a man is not sterile immediately. Use another method of birth control for at least the first 20 ejaculations after the operation. After a tubal ligation, a woman is sterile immediately unless she ovulated 48 hours before the surgery. How to get it: It is recommended that either choose a doctor who is experienced in these surgeries, as well as considering counseling prior to the decision. Costs: Tubal ligation = $1600-2500; Vasectomy = $500-1000