Vasectomy (cont.)

Vasectomy At A Glance

  • Vasectomy is a simple procedure to induce infertility in the male.


  • Vasectomy has a long track record as a safe and effective method of contraception.


  • The procedure blocks the tube (the vas deferens) through which sperm pass.


  • A vasectomy can be done even without a scalpel.


  • Reversing a vasectomy is difficult, expensive, and often unsuccessful.


  • Vasectomy offers no protection against HIV/AIDS or any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).


  • Vasectomized men can develop harmless immune reactions to sperm.


  • There has been concern about a possible increase in prostate cancer among vasectomized men. This risk (if it exists) is relatively small.

This article is based in part upon information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and USA.gov.


Last Editorial Review: 4/19/2007


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