How Vasectomy Compares to other Forms of Birth Control?

Vasectomies are an increasingly popular form of birth control for men, and the days where you had to be married with kids to have a vasectomy are long gone: Today, it’s an option for many people of varying ages and from varying backgrounds just because it offers a more permanent and less stressful solution to conventional forms of birth control.

Here’s how the vasectomy compares to other forms of birth control.

Less Risk of Failure

There’s much less chance of failure when a vasectomy is used when compared to other traditional methods of birth control like condoms or medication; this applies only to the risk of pregnancy, and not the additional risk of contracting STDs, which is the one type of protection not offered by a vasectomy.

Longer lasting

Having a vasectomy is longer lasting, and it’s a very quick, painless operation that you only have to worry about once during your lifetime. The other option is relying on other, slightly more unreliable forms of birth control for the rest of your life, and other forms of birth control can feel a lot like playing Russian roulette with fertility for the rest of your life.  

More Reassuring

For many men who have set their mind to not having children for whatever reason, a vasectomy is a lot more reassuring – and the responsibility for safe sex becomes something that’s for both sexes to consider instead of just one.

Eliminates the Need for Many Others

There are thousands of different birth control methods that promise to eliminate pregnancy, although very few of them are as effective (especially for the long term) as just having a vasectomy. It’s more permanent, and it eliminates the need for many other forms of birth control that are used without the reassurance of a vasectomy.

HOW MUCH DOES A VASECTOMY COST?

How much does vasectomy cost depends on each individual.  Every person’s insurance plan has different coverage.  Depending on the deductible, and the cost throughout the year, your vasectomy may not cost you any money out of pocket.  Before you have this form of birth control procedure scheduled, our billing department will be able to tell you the true cost.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF A VASECTOMY?

There are minimal risks with the procedure which your doctor will explain in an appointment before the procedure.  There is a 1-2 % risk of hematoma or swelling around the testicles. Also a 1-2 % risk of superficial infection.  And a 1-2 % risk of a syndrome called chronic scrotal pain which is treatable. There is a 0.0005 % chance of recanalization of the vas deferens after the procedure. Click Here for more information.

HOW SUCCESSFUL IS A VASECTOMY REVERSAL?

A vasectomy reversal can be accomplished, but the longer the time frame after the initial vasectomy, the lower the chances of success.  Reversal success rates are 75% for patients 5 years or less removed from their vasectomy. That rate drops to approximately 40-50 % at 8 years, and to 30% or less after 10 or more years.  It is important to discuss goals of fertility, and also find out the health and fertility of your significant other before deciding if the procedure is the correct choice for your situation. Click here for more information.

Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology, PC Omaha & Council Bluffs

Adult Pediatric Urology, PC have 7 board-certified physicians and an attentive, dedicated staff. We have served Nebraska and Iowa since 1982 with two locations in Omaha and Council Bluffs. Our Omaha location includes an accredited outpatient surgical center with state-of-the-art equipment and a comfortable waiting area just minutes from Interstate 680. Our physicians successfully perform hundreds of traditional and no-scalpel vasectomies every year.