How much is a vasectomy, what does the process entail, and any alternatives?

Question

I do not by any means want kids. I already have one sadly but I want to know what are the costs and is it 100% effective. I don't trust condoms because that's what I used last time and still ended up with a kid. I would like to hear from someone who has had the procedure done. Does insurance help with this procedure?

Answer 1

Vasectomy has been described as a permanent, safe, and effective surgical birth control method for men. Approximately 500,000 vasectomies are performed per year in the United States. This may now encompass around one out of six men over age thirty-five. Vasectomy is now advertised on the Internet on hundreds of sites, many of which describe the procedure in detail. These sites also list the most common complications in the acute post-operative phase and some longer-term complications are occasionally mentioned. For example this site: http://www.medicinenet.com/vasectomy/art... gives a fairly complete description and lists a few side effects. If one read this site and stopped there, you would get only [part of the information you need to choose wisely.

Vasectomy is very effective, though the tubes "reconnect" in a small percentage of patients. It is the most certain form of birth control for a male, but comes with some risks. Insurance frequently pays for the procedure, but many don't pay for treatment of complications after the procedure.

The prospective vasectomy candidate should know of the risk of: decrease in ejaculate volume or expulsive force, decrease in orgasmic sensation, and risk of chronic pain.

Do a Yahoo! search on "post vasectomy pain" and "vasectomy complications" as one should be able to accept the best and the worst outcomes equally with any surgery.

Because Vasectomy is an elective surgery and fertility is no an illness, an informed consent process is very important.  The usual preoperative evaluation and consent process is inadequate.

I was told:

No change in sexual function

No change in o****m

No change in s***n volume

No long-term effects

and no mention of chronic pain was made.

What I wish my surgeon had said before the procedure: "Besides the acute post-operative pain, swelling, and bruising that we have spoken about, which most men find are very time-limited, fairly trivial, and manageable with ice and Tylenol, I need to tell you about the risk of chronic testicular or epididymal pain after vasectomy. It may be as high as twenty percent or as low as 1 to 2%. Some men find it “troubling”, while others find it to be a “nuisance”. A small percentage of men develop severe pain and find it affects their quality of life or causes pain during s*x or diminishes the sensation of o****m or pleasure from s*x.  Between 1 in 30 and 1 in 60 men regret having the vasectomy due to chronic genital pain. If you end up in this latter group, your treatment options will include warm soaks, Motrin, and time. If it does not resolve, you may need a vasectomy reversal and it may not be covered by insurance and could cost $4000 to $12,000. You have an approximate 70% chance of responding to the reversal. Of course if you have a reversal, you will likely be fertile again. If the reversal is ineffective, you might have to consider further surgery that could include removal of your epididymus (a mushy organ connected to the t******e) or removal of the t******e itself. In addition most men form anti-sperm antibodies after vasectomy and the health consequences of this auto-immune reaction are largely unknown. Biopsies of the testicles of men after vasectomy have shown areas of fibrosis widespread changes of unknown functional significance. Now, step through here and we will get you ready for your procedure…

If you end up in the small group with chronic pain you will regret the decision to pursue vasectomy.

Answer 2

It is a simple procedure (out patient) and the recovery is just a few days with moderate pain. It is about as close to 100% effective as you can get. I'm not sure about the cost, but I doubt if insurance would cover it as it is an elective procedure. I hope this help you some.  

Answer 3

A vasectomy is a “piece of cake”.  I had one when I was 21.  The cost was $250.  Today you are looking at about $1000, but free, or almost free, with insurance.

A vasectomy is 99.9% effective.  I get a s***n analysis done every five years to be safe, as I have way too many friends that pay child support, and I don’t want to be like them.

The surgery takes about 15 min, and does not hut.  You will be confined to your house for two or three days.  You will then be pretty much OK, so long as you don’t lift anything for the rest of the week, or so.

Once it heals there will be no scar. and no side effects.  You will have to get at least two s***n analysis done to make sure you are sterile.

All they do is sever your vas tubes so the sperm does not mix with your s***n.  It still looks the same.  You can't tell the difference.

Twenty years later, I still revel in the novelty.  I think it was the best thing I ever did, as I have no children, and never have to worry about it.  I would do it again if I had to.

There are no good alternatives.  The male pill has way too many side effects.  It requires that you take testosterone, and anti-depressants.

Answer 4

It is nothing.  My boyfriend had one.  I also work were we do them.  It costs under $1000 if you don't have insurance.  

Answer 5

see this is why I'm getting mine done on 9/15 ...no s*x til a month or so after that!!

I want no kids and choose to remain child-free...unfortunately for you, your time is a bit late, but you can still attempt to enjoy life

one kid would be much easier to raise than 2 :-)

anyways my appointment is gonna cost me $100 after insurance!

I'm so excited!