Vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception.

Vasectomy does not produce immediate sterility.

Following vasectomy, another form of contraception is required until success is confirmed by post-vasectomy semen analysis.

Even after success is confirmed, vasectomy is not 100% reliable in preventing pregnancy.

Repeat vasectomy is necessary in less than 1% of vasectomies.

Patients should refrain from ejaculation for approximately one week after vasectomy.

The chance of causing pregnancy after vasectomy is approximately 1 in 2,000 for men who have had a successful vasectomy. This is more effective than almost all other forms of birth control methods.

Options for fertility after vasectomy include vasectomy reversal and sperm retrieval with in vitro fertilization. These options are not always successful, and they may be expensive.

The rates of surgical complications such as symptomatic hematoma and infection are 1%.

Chronic scrotal pain associated with negative impact on quality of life occurs after vasectomy in about 1% of men. Few of these men require additional surgery.

Other permanent and non-permanent alternatives to vasectomy are available, i.e. condoms, female contraceptive methods etc.