Male sterilisation (vasectomy) is a permanent method of contraception that's carried out on a man. Find how it's done, and what to expect.
A woman can get pregnant if a man’s sperm reaches one of her eggs (ova). Contraception tries to stop this happening by keeping the egg and sperm apart or by stopping egg production. One method of contraception is male sterilisation (vasectomy).
During a minor operation, the tubes that carry sperm from a man's testicles to the penis are cut, blocked or sealed with heat.
It's usually carried out under local anaesthetic, and takes about 15 minutes.
How does a vasectomy work?
Sperm are prevented from reaching the seminal fluid (semen), which is ejaculated from the penis during sex. This means that there are no sperm in the semen, so a woman's egg can't be fertilised. Find out more about how a vasectomy is carried out.
How effective is it?
The lifetime failure rate is about one in 2,000. This means that one out of 2,000 men who are sterilised will get a woman pregnant during the rest of his lifetime.
Added benefits of a vasectomy?
Male sterilisation is considered permanent. Once it's done, you don't have to think about contraception again.
What else should I know?
- You need to use contraception for about eight weeks after the operation because sperm stay in the tubes leading to the penis.
- Two semen tests are done after the operation to ensure that all the sperm have gone.
- Your scrotum (ball sack) may become bruised, swollen or painful – some men have ongoing pain in their testicles.
- As with any surgery, there's a slight risk of infection.
- Reversing the operation isn't easy, and is rarely available on the NHS.
Find out more about recovering from a vasectomy.
Male sterilisation doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so use a condom to protect yourself and your partner against STIs.
Further information
Find out about the 15 methods of contraception
What should my testicles normally look and feel like?
Can I get a sterilisation reversal on the NHS?
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