Vasectomy is a safe, effective birth control choice for men who are certain they don't want to father a child in the future.

Benefits of a vasectomy include:

• Vasectomy is nearly 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.
• Vasectomy is an outpatient surgery with a low risk of complications or side effects.
• A vasectomy means you won't need to take birth control steps before sex.

A vasectomy is a form of male birth control preventing the supply of sperm to your semen. It's done by cutting and sealing the tubes carrying sperm. Vasectomy has a low risk of problems and usually can be performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia.

Before getting a vasectomy, you need to be certain you don't want to father a child in the future. Although vasectomy reversals are possible, vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of male birth control.

Vasectomy offers no protection from sexually transmitted infections. A condom still is necessary to prevent sexually transmitted infections.