Vasectomy - Considerations 

Is vasectomy right for me? 

Picture of man with family

In almost all cases vasectomy is permanent, so be sure you don't want any more children 

Having a vasectomy should always be viewed as permanent sterilisation. This is because, although reversal is sometimes possible, it may not be successful.

A reversal operation requires delicate microsurgery to join the tubes together again. Even with a sucessful operation, it still may not be possible to father a child.

When to have a vasectomy

Your doctor will ask about your circumstances and provide information and counselling before agreeing to the procedure.

You should only have a vasectomy if you are certain that you do not want to have any, or any more, children. If you have any doubts, consider another method of contraception until you are completely sure.

You shouldn't make the decision about having a vasectomy after a crisis or a big change in your life - for example, if your partner has just had a baby, or if they have just terminated their pregnancy.

If you have a partner, discuss it with them before deciding to have a vasectomy. If possible, you should both agree to the procedure. However, it is not a legal requirement to get your partner's permission.

A vasectomy can be performed at any age. However, if you are under 30, particularly if you do not have children, your doctor may be reluctant to perform the procedure.

Your GP does have the right to refuse to carry out the procedure or refuse to refer you for the procedure if they do not believe it is in your best interests. If this is the case, you may have to pay to have a vasectomy carried out privately.

Frequently asked questions

What other contraception is available for men?

The other main contraception choice for men is condoms. Several choices are available for women, which your GP or a family planning expert can advise on.

Can I use IVF to father a child?

If you have a vasectomy, and then decide later that you want a child, there may be the option of doing so by IVF. To do this, sperm would be retrieved from your testicles by a trained surgeon and used to fertilise your partner’s egg. However:

  • IVF may not be available on the NHS,
  • it tends to be expensive, and
  • IVF is not always successful.

Can I store sperm in a sperm bank, just in case?

You could, but as with IVF, sperm stored in a sperm bank cannot be relied on to bring about a pregnancy. It can also be expensive.

Can I have the operation if I am single?

Yes - but if you are under 30, you will find many surgeons are reluctant to do it in case your circumstances change and you regret it later.

Could being sterile affect me emotionally?

It is a big decision to end the part of your life where you could father a child – another reason to think it over carefully.

If you are sure about your decision to have a vasectomy, you may feel relieved that the worry of possible pregnancy is over and you do not need to think about contraception again.

If you feel anxious or uncomfortable about the procedure, or if you think you would suffer mentally from being sterile, then it is not the best type of contraception for you. You can discuss alternatives with your GP or with a professional at a family planning clinic.

Last reviewed: 23/02/2012

Next review due: 23/02/2014

Comments

12 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Avicenna said on 31 March 2012

In reply to chacky I would simple advise that vasectomy reversals are not generally available on the NHS. I would also mention that not all coules stay together for ever. Not all couples agree on all matters, including family planning. However, men have a loit to lose if their partners become pregnant. If a man does not want to father a child he should be free to choose not to and should never need the consent of his partner. Similarly, the NHS should not require a partners consent and I am doubtful it is good advice for a GP to seek consent of a partner.

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Nesim said on 26 March 2012

The advice on this pafe seems to indicate you should not have a vasectomy if your partner does not agree.

Why is mens health deferred to a decision bu someone else.

I had a look on the female sterlisation pages and there is no mention to have her partner agree to the procedure - it was very much hers alone.

Double standards?

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chacky said on 15 March 2012

Vasectomy reversals are costing the NHS millions of wasted cash every year - money that could be spent more importantly elsewhere - which is why GPs have to make sure this is what you want. Perhaps some of you guys should read up on female sterilization and hysterectomy - far more horrific than vasectomies - also pregnancy & birth complications in your 30's and 40+, physical and emotional complications including long term pain and scarring - c-sections, abortion issues, post natal depression etc etc - and if you and your partner cannot agree on family planning something wrong eh?

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Maghaberry said on 05 February 2012

How useless to advise 'If possible, you should both agree to the procedure'

What if you cannot agree. What is the advice then? What if your partner has no opinions, or you think this is your life and therefore your decision alone.

This is terrible advice for men. You would not dare advise a women to consult her husband or partner before making a family planning decision.

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Thum Nose said on 11 December 2011

The article states 'Your GP does have the right to refuse to carry out the procedure or refuse to refer you for the procedure if they do not believe it is in your best interests. If this is the case, you may have to pay to have a vasectomy carried out privately.'

This seems to be a discourtesy on the ethics of private doctors who are equally concerned with the best interests of their patients.

Of course, private doctors do not have the additional concern of budgets when providing advice.

If this site exists for the benefit of patients it should list how a patient should be able to challenge a GP decision, made in 10 minutes of meeting a patient. It should promote second opinions, or should promote patient advocates - it should not force patients to choose private health care because the NHS is not capable of giving patients a choice, freely made.

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Xervanda said on 03 December 2011

One consideration not mentioned here or at my GP or clinic is to consider how you would feel with long term pain.

My vasectomy was deemed a success however I am left with a dull pain which comes and goes. It is not disabling but it does reduce my libido because sex tends to increase the ache - during and afterwards. I have returned to my GP who dismissed my pain and suggested I just use paracetemol or something similar to dull the pain was it was bad.

Two years later I am still feel no better and I am now expecting no changes to the ache. I have some regret that I was not told of this risk or made to consider any risks of vasectomy, expecially when other contraceptive options are available and risk free.

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VivaLaRyan said on 27 June 2011

I think it's pretty unfair that people will refuse if you are under 30. I'm 22, and I've spent my whole life proving people wrong about changing my mind. I've never had a girlfriend, never wanted a girlfriend, and I definitely do not want kids...I would reject any child of my own, I know that because I didn't have a childhood and had to do everything myself in life. I don't like the way the world is, and my kids certainly wouldn't.

It's just a shame that younger people are being stereptyped as not knowing what they want...I've known what I've wanted and not wanted since the age of 8...and I have everything I wanted then, and everything I didn't want...I don't have.

I think there's bias against young people. At the end of the day, if there's regret then it's up for that person to live with, but at the same time it's up to that person and not for anyone else to consider 'their best interests'. I hope that when I make an appointment with a clinic to have my vasectomy done within a few months, I'll be able to walk out with it done.

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Cotton Ritch said on 14 June 2011

It would be helpful to understand which doctors require the agreement of female partners to perform or refer men for vasectomy. Why are men not given free choice to their reporductive lives in the same way as women?

I told my GP it was irrelevant whether my partner consented or not. That seemed to end his questioning.

Thunderballs - please source your statisitcs. This type of operation needs near perfect acceptance and outcomes otherwise it should not be routinely performed.

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Thunderballs said on 13 June 2011

I'm sorry for the guys whose operations didn't work out. however mine did and the statistics show a huge % of other mens procedures work out too.

Guys urging others not to have a procedure because their procedure didn't work out are ignorant of the huge success rates, believe those rates are being made up, irrelevant, bitter or just dumb.

Some men do need to man up.

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Call Sine said on 07 January 2011

Please consider all complications before agreeing to a vasectomy. It is often ignored or passed over as a minimal risk but it can be devastating. Please also remember regret for vasectomy is higher than female sterilisation or any other method of contraception. Never feel pressured to undertake the snip.

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cricket55 said on 28 November 2010

Vasectomy is something to avoid.Before you contomplate having this procedure just type "vasectomy pains" on the web and read some of many hundreds of thousands of men who have suffered from this lousey opperation.Somehow all the official information does nothing to inform the public of the many problems this procedure can cause,When the op. goes wrong it is not easy to put right.

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Co Si9 said on 18 November 2010

Why do men need to discuss their health needs with their partner before deciding to have a vasectomy when women are reassured it is there decision alone whether to be sterlised. Men already receive far less health care and are prone to die earlier. Part of this reason is the flawed logic that men should defer decisions about their health to their female partners. I find it unbelieveable that I may be refused a vasectomy if my partner does not consent to it.

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Points to consider

  • Vasectomy is most suited to men in a stable relationship who have decided, with their partner, not to have more children or any at all.
  • If you enter a new relationship  later, you may not be able to father a child if you have had a vasectomy.
  • A vasectomy is a simple procedure, more reliable and with fewer complications than permanent female sterilisation.
  • A very small minority of vasectomies fail.
  • Link to Directgov – public services all in one place
  • The Information Standard - Certified member