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MALE

STERILISATION

Other names: Vasectomy

WHAT IS MALE STERILISATION?

Male Sterilisation, also known as a vasectomy, is a permanent surgical contraceptive method which involves cutting the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis. Since it is permanent and highly effective, it is an option for those who never want to have children, or who don't wish to have any more.

 

A note on gender

Gender identification is a personal journey. Not everyone with a male body is a man and not everyone with a female body is a woman. This information is for people of all genders including transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals.

1-V1

OVERVIEW

EFFICACY

EFFICACY

99%+

FREQUENCY

FREQUENCY

PERMANENT

EFFECT ON FERTILITY

EFFECT ON FERTILITY

PERMANENT

BLOOD CLOT RISK

BLOOD CLOT RISK

NONE

MALE STERILISATION IS A TYPE OF PERMANENT METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION

Male sterilisation belongs to a category of contraception known as permanent contraception. These methods are permanent and can’t usually be reversed.

 

HOW DOES MALE STERILISATION PREVENT PREGNANCY?

Inhibiting sperm

A vasectomy (male sterilisation) is a permanent surgical procedure to cut or seal the tubes that carry sperm.

Inhibiting sperm

It prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm getting into the semen which is ejaculated during sex.

Inhibiting sperm

Without any sperm in the semen, an egg cannot be fertilised.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS A VASECTOMY?

Vasectomy is intended to be permanent and is over 99% effective. In rare cases, however, the tubes that carry sperm can grow back together and a repeat vasectomy will be needed.

PERFECT USE*

99
%
+

Effective

Approximately

1 out of every 100 women
in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.

 

* Perfect use of a contraceptive method is when it is used correctly all the time.

TYPICAL USE*

99
%
+

Effective

Approximately

1 out of every 100 women
in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.

 

* Typical use is what generally happens in real life. It takes into account human error e.g. forgetting to take your pill. Typical use is the same as perfect use for male sterilisation

    DOES MALE STERILISATION INVOLVE HORMONES?expand_less

    No. Male Sterilisation is hormone-free.

    You should only have a vasectomy if you're sure that you don't want more, or any, children. It should always be seen as permanent.

    Legally, if you are over the age of 18 then you are eligible for the procedure without legal consent of a parent or guardian . Doctors tend to advise against having a vasectomy under the age of 30 in case you change your mind in the future or meet a partner who would like to have children.

PP-UN-WHC-GB-0307 July 2025