If you and your partner feel you are done having children or don’t wish to have any at all, you may find yourself at a crossroads. Once you no longer wish to have children you will likely need to come up with a plan for long-term birth control.
There are many options for birth control, most of which involve the female in the relationship. At this point in life, you may see the appeal of something more permanent. This is when couples tend to look into either vasectomies or tubal ligation.
When men hear the word “vasectomy” they may immediately have certain feelings, fears, or even grimace at the thought.
Before knowing the facts, many men claim they would never have a vasectomy. The truth is, when you are looking for permanent birth control a vasectomy is usually the easiest, quickest, and most pain-free option for couples.
Before you decide what’s best for you as a couple, let’s look at the differences between the two procedures.
Vasectomy
For a conventional vasectomy, a scalpel is used to cut your scrotum so the tubes, known as vas deferens, can be reached. A small section of each tube is cut out and (potentially) cauterized, and then the skin is stitched back together.
The no-scalpel method uses a hemostat to make a small puncture in the scrotal sack. The vas deferens are then pulled through the hole, cut, cauterized, and put back in place. Because the hole involved in no-scalpel is so small, stitches usually aren’t needed.
The patient is awake regardless of the procedure chosen, though an anesthetic is applied to numb the pain. We also offer “no needle” anesthesia where we numb the area without injecting a needle into the skin.
Though it might sound intimidating, both methods are quick and pain-free.
Tubal Ligation
Tubal ligation prevents an egg from traveling from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes and blocks sperm from traveling up the fallopian tubes to the egg.
To “get your tubes tied” a surgeon will put you under general anesthesia. During the procedure, a needle will be inserted or an incision will be made into the abdomen through the belly button. Then a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen.
In most cases, your doctor will make a second small incision to insert special instruments through the abdominal wall. The fallopian tubes are cut, tied, or blocked to prevent pregnancy permanently.
Tubal ligation can be done at any time, including after childbirth, in combination with another abdominal surgery, such as a C-section, or as a separate outpatient procedure.
Which is The Better Option?
A Vasectomy is a much simpler procedure. Tubal ligation is a complex procedure that requires a general anesthetic. Recovery time is considerable and has a higher risk of complications. A no-scalpel vasectomy, however, is a minimally invasive procedure. The procedure itself takes about 20 minutes and recovery time is minimal. Men can usually return to most regular activities after 3 days.
A Vasectomy is more cost-effective. Because it is a simpler procedure without the use of a general anesthetic, a vasectomy usually costs considerably less than tubal ligation.
A Vasectomy comes with fewer risks of complications. Both procedures are safe options when performed by experienced surgeons. However, given the more invasive nature of tubal ligation, you will run a high risk of complication and infection when compared to a no-scalpel vasectomy. Notably, a tubal ligation can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which can become life-threatening if not medically addressed.
Vasectomy Doctor in Dayton, Ohio
If you decide a vasectomy is your best path forward for permanent birth control, Urology Specialists of Ohio has a team of experienced vasectomy doctors in Dayton, Ohio. To make an appointment or ask any questions you may have, contact us today!