HealthInfo Canterbury
Vasectomy
Pokanga ara tātea
A vasectomy is a minor procedure that makes a man sterile (unable to have a baby).
Under a local anaesthetic, the tubes (vas deferens) in your scrotum that connect the testicles to your penis are cut. This means that when you ejaculate (cum), the semen (fluid) you make has no sperm in it.
A vasectomy doesn't change your sexual performance and your male hormones don't change.
Complications from a vasectomy are uncommon. You can get a local infection, bleeding, swelling and pain, which improve with simple treatment.
There's a small chance a vasectomy doesn’t work, which is checked by you doing two sperm tests after the procedure.
While considered a permanent form of contraception, in some cases a vasectomy can be reversed if you decide to have child in the future.
Your general practice team or Family Planning Clinic can advise you about having a vasectomy including the cost.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Family Planning – Vasectomy
This pamphlet explains different types of vasectomy.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
See also:
Review key: HICAS-53138
