A vasectomy blocks the tubes (vas deferens) that carry the sperm from the testicle to the seminal or ejaculate fluid. You can read an overview of the procedure here.

Any man who is convinced he’s done having kids—or is truly positive he doesn’t ever want children.

No. Libido (desire for sex), hormone levels and erection are unchanged. The amount of fluid with ejaculation is reduced by about 1% and will contain no sperm, but is not noticeably different.

The No-Needle technique used by Dr. Matson produces rapid and comfortable anesthesia, and most men (like these guys) are surprised by how easy the procedure is.

1. Prepare for your appointment by arranging your schedule to accommodate two days of rest followed by 5-7 days of light activity after your vasectomy.

2. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or fish oil for 7 days prior to the appointment. If minor pain medicine is needed please use acetaminophen (Tylenol).

3. Trim the hair above the penis with a pair of scissors and shave the front of the testicle area (scrotum) below the penis several days prior to your appointment (antiseptic may sting when applied to freshly shaven skin).

4. Wash the groin, thighs and scrotum (skin over the genitals) with Hibiclens soap available at drug stores (over the counter in the first aid isle) the night before and the morning of your surgery. Although not approved by the FDA for use on the genitals, it is commonly used this way, and recent studies have shown a significant decrease in infections in genitourinary surgery.

5. Wear a clean jock strap or sport compression shorts to the appointment.

6. Arrive to the appointment warm (wear long pants, use heat in the car) as cool conditions can make the surgery more difficult to perform.

NO! It is safe to resume sex after one week, but you must continue birth control for 8-16 weeks until a semen analysis shows no sperm. Half of vasectomy failures (unintended pregnancies) occur in the first three months after the procedure--so seriously, continue to use birth control until we give you the all clear!

Not always. Vasectomy reversal is expensive and not always successful. You should only get a vasectomy if you’re certain you don’t want (any more) children.

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure with low risks. That said, it is not easy to reverse if you change your mind, and it does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.