How it works
The tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis are cut, sealed or blocked. Semen is still produced and ejaculation feels the same, but it no longer contains sperm.
People who are certain they don't want any (more) children and want a permanent method.
How effective is it?
Typical use
Over 99%
In real life fewer than 1 in 100 people get pregnant in a year.
Perfect use
Over 99%
About 0.1 in 100 when used exactly as directed every time.
Only once a semen test confirms there are no sperm
See how it ranks against every method in the effectiveness chart.
How to use it
Talk to a doctor or sexual health service about whether it is right for you; you will be asked to be sure you don't want children in the future.
The procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes under local anesthetic, often using a no-scalpel technique, and you go home the same day.
Rest for a day or two, wear supportive underwear and avoid heavy lifting and hard exercise for about a week.
Keep using other contraception until a semen test confirms there are no sperm; this test is usually done around 8 to 16 weeks after the procedure.
Pros and cons
Advantages
- Over 99% effective once confirmed
- Permanent, with nothing to remember afterwards
- Quick, low-risk procedure under local anesthetic
- Simpler and with fewer risks than female sterilization
- Does not affect hormones, sex drive, erections or ejaculation
Disadvantages
- Not effective straight away; another method is needed until a test confirms no sperm
- Permanent: reversal is difficult, not always available and not guaranteed to work
- Does not protect against STIs
- Small risk of long-term pain in the testicles
Effect on periods: No effect on a partner's periods.
Possible side effects
- Bruising, swelling and discomfort for a few days
- Some bleeding or a small collection of blood in the scrotum
- Wound infection (uncommon)
- Long-lasting testicular pain in a small number of people
Who it may not suit
A clinician checks your medical history before you start. This list is not complete.
May not be suitable if
- You are not sure you never want (more) children
- You are under pressure from a partner or others, or making the decision during a stressful life event
- You have certain conditions affecting the scrotum or groin, such as a hernia or infection, which may need treating first
Get medical help if
- You have a high temperature, increasing pain, swelling or pus around the wound
- Bleeding does not stop or the scrotum becomes very swollen
- You still have pain in the testicles several weeks later
Frequently asked questions
Is a vasectomy effective straight away?
No. Sperm can stay in the tubes for weeks after the procedure, so you need another method of contraception until a semen test confirms there are no sperm. The test is usually done around 8 to 16 weeks afterwards.
Can a vasectomy be reversed?
Sometimes, but it is a more complex operation, may not be available through public health services, and does not always restore fertility. You should only have a vasectomy if you are sure you don't want children in the future.
Does a vasectomy affect sex drive or erections?
No. It does not change hormone levels, sex drive, erections or how ejaculation feels. You still produce semen; it just doesn't contain sperm.
How long is recovery after a vasectomy?
Most people feel back to normal within a few days and can return to desk work in a day or two. Avoid heavy lifting and hard exercise for about a week, and wait until it feels comfortable before having sex.
Can a vasectomy fail?
Rarely. Around 1 in 1,000 or fewer, the tubes can rejoin, sometimes years later. This is why the follow-up semen test matters.
Sources
Reviewed 1 November 2026. We link to the guidance itself so you can check it.