Why it's done

Vasectomy is a safe and effective birth control choice for men who are certain they don't want to father a child in the future.

• Vasectomy is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
• Vasectomy is an outpatient surgery with a low risk of complications or side effects.
• The cost of a vasectomy is far less than the cost of female sterilization (tubal ligation) or the long-term cost of birth control medications for women.
• A vasectomy means you won't need to take birth control steps before sex, such as putting on a condom.