When a couple decides their family has reached the right size and are ready to stop having children, there are two common permanent procedures they can undergo: vasectomy for the man or tubal ligation for the woman. While they achieve the same purpose (infertility), they drastically different procedures. Learn about both of these permanent birth control methods and find out which is right for your family.

1. VASECTOMY
vs
TUBAL LIGATION
When you’ve completed your family, there are a few
popular options for contraceptive management. We’ll go
over the differences between vasectomy for men and tubal
ligation for women to help you better understand each
procedure, and make an informed decision.

2. WHAT ARE VASECTOMY AND TUBAL LIGATION?
• Both are methods of preventing
fertilization of the egg by the sperm
• Vasectomy is a procedure for men in
which the vas deferens (tubes that carry
sperm) are severed, stopping sperm
from exiting.
• Tubal ligation is the female equivalent.
The fallopian tubes are disrupted so
that the sperm is not able to reach the
egg for fertilization

3. DIFRRENCES BETWEEN THE TWO PROCEDURES
• Vasectomy
– Usually completed in clinic
– Performed by a urologist
– 15 minute long procedure
– Local anesthetic used
– Minimal pain and quick recovery
afterwards
• Tubal Ligation
– Done in operating room
– 30-45 minute procedure
– General anesthesia
– Laparoscopic surgery (small instruments
inserted into abdomen).
– Relatively quick

4. ASSOCIATED RISKS
• Vasectomy
– Prolonged testicular pain
– Skin infection
– Hematoma (small collection of
blood in the scrotum)
• Tubal Ligation
– Infection
– Reaction to anesthesia
– Prolonged abdominal pain

5. COST
• Vasectomy
– Price of vasectomy without insurance
varies depending on provider, but is
generally much less costly than tubal
ligation. Most major insurances will
cover part of the procedure. Final
cost will depend on your plan.
• Tubal Ligation
– Usual cost is in the thousands of
dollars. Insurance may or may not
cover. Since this is done in the
operating room, there are also
anesthesia and hospital fees.

6. SUCCESS RATES
• Vasectomy
– About 99% effective
– Pregnancy afterwards may either be
due to non-compliance of
contraception temporarily after
procedure or reconnection of vas
deferens (rare).
• Tubal Ligation
– Also close to 99% effective

7. REVERSALS
• Vasectomy
– While a vasectomy is very simple to
do, its reversal isn’t as easy.The
success rate of vasectomy reversals
is only about 50%.
– Vasectomy reversal is done in the
operating room, and is usually not
covered by insurance
• Tubal Ligation
– Not always reversible, however can
be completed in the operating
room. A reversal does not guarantee
successful pregnancy afterwards.