Nine Informative Facts About The Permanent Contraceptive Vasectomy

The vasectomy is a common enough surgical procedure that over a half a million men each year in this country undergo as a form of permanent contraception. It is also the butt of many jokes about sex as well as at the center of many common misconceptions about sex drive, recovery time and even the increased chance of developing prostate cancer! Only with advice and consultation with a urologist, a doctor specializing in the urinary tract of men and women as well as male reproductive organs, will you really get the facts straight about this simple and safe procedure.

Society has taken a somewhat skewed view of contraception between a man and woman. For years, it has always been the woman's problem, even with the movement of feminism. However, there are many men out there who either do not want children at all or have completed their family and have chosen to take responsibility for birth control. While there are some men who whimper at the thought of anyone operating on the "family jewels," the fact of the matter is many men are forward-thinking enough to assume the responsibility.

Here are some facts that you might find informative about the vasectomy:

1. The vasectomy is virtually effective 100% and it is quite safe. There is a negligible amount that has had side effects and no deaths have been reported as a direct result of the surgery.

2. Sexual desire and pleasure is not affected by a vasectomy. In fact, there is sometimes a heightened sex drive simply because the worry of birth control is gone and more spontaneity can be introduced in the sex life. A man's overall virility is not affected in any way.

3. There is a no-scalpel technique that can be used to perform a vasectomy which is just as effective as the traditional scalpel method. It was developed by a Chinese doctor in the 1970s and is just now truly making a big splash in the vasectomy market. Millions of men around the world have undergone the no-scalpel technique with success. Best of all, surgery is short – just about 15 to 20 minutes.

4. A large percentage of health insurance companies actually do have health coverage policies which do cover a vasectomy. Of course, co-pays and out of network specialist fees may apply, but still the vasectomy would cost a lot less with the insurance. In addition, many doctors and clinics where the surgery would occur could create a payment plan for the procedure as well.

5. Permanent birth control for a man is a lot easier than for a woman and cheaper too. The vasectomy could occur in as little as 30 minutes and there is little if any scalpel work. Recovery time can be counted in days. For a woman, tubal ligation is the only real method of permanent birth control. It involves major surgery, general anesthesia and the recovery time could take anywhere from six to eight weeks. Plus, it is a lot more expensive.

As a whole, the vasectomy is the best choice for permanent birth control, particularly when a companion or partner is involved. Of course, some men have to get past the discomfort of "baring it all" for the doctor in order to get the vasectomy accomplished.

Recommended Reading

1. Cost Options For Your Vasectomy Procedure
2. Tubal Litigation Against Vasectomy Which Is Better
3. Who Is A Candidate For Vasectomy
4. An Overview Of Different Vasectomy Techniques
5. Vasectomy Procedures And How They Differ