What Is a Vasectomy? A vasectomy is a small operation a man gets to prevent pregnancy. It blocks sperm from getting to your semen when you ejaculate. With no sperm entering the woman, she won’t get pregnant. You can still have an orgasm and ejaculate. Your doctor can do the procedure in their office. They may call it male sterilization. Your friends might refer to it as “the snip” or “getting snipped.”

Conventional Vasectomy For this type, the doctor makes cuts in your scrotum to reach two tubes. Each tube is called a "vas deferens," and you have one for each testicle. Your doctor may remove a small piece of each tube and leave a short gap between the two ends. They might sear each end, but they will tie each one off with a stitch. Your doctor may be able to do both with one cut, or they may have to make a second cut. You might get stitches that dissolve over time to help the cuts close. When each vas deferens has been cut, sperm can no longer reach your semen or leave your body.

No-Scalpel Vasectomy The doctor feels for each vas deferens under your scrotum and uses a clamp to hold it in place. They’ll make a tiny hole in your skin, stretch it open, and lift each vas deferens out. They’ll cut it, then seal it with searing, stitches, or both. You won’t need stitches after the procedure.

How Effective Are Vasectomies? It’s nearly 100% effective. In very rare cases, the tubes can rejoin. In those cases, a pregnancy could happen. Keep in mind that sperm can still get out for a little while right after a vasectomy. Be sure to get the follow-up test that checks on that, so you know when you can stop using another method of birth control just in case.