A Snip for Your Sweetie: 6 Reasons a Vasectomy Is a Great Gift
Yes, Sanders Candy is a thoughtful Sweetest Day gift. But a vasectomy could be sweeter for six reasons.
In fact, a “Snip for Your Sweetie” might be worth scheduling before this Sweetest Day, Oct. 19, for timing reasons as well. Every year, more than 500,000 U.S. men undergo vasectomies, and many schedule them near World Vasectomy Day (Nov. 15) or before the Madness basketball tournament, thanks to “Vas Madness” vasectomy campaigns.
If you’re certain you don’t want (more) children, then an October vasectomy beats the crowds. And as a gift, it shows you care by shifting the responsibility of birth control from your partner.
What to Expect From a Vasectomy
A vasectomy prevents sperm from leaving your body by cutting off its access to the penis. The surgeon accomplishes this on an outpatient basis by snipping and sealing the tubes through which the sperm travels (the vas deferens). You won’t need stitches if the surgeon uses the no-scalpel method and enters through slim punctures.
The sperm still in your system will need to be ejaculated, however. This can take a few months, so you should use birth control until a doctor confirms you’re completely sterile through a semen analysis.
6 Ways a Vasectomy Beats Candy at Showing You Care
If you are committed to permanent sterility, a vasectomy could make sense for you. Here are six reasons it might make Sweetest Day sense for your partner.
There is no margin of error. Once you’ve fully recovered from a vasectomy, you have a mere 1% chance of conceiving. That’s a better rate than condoms, which generally are 85% effective due to errors in use (if used perfectly, they’re 98% foolproof). Birth control pills, if not taken at the exact same time every day, offer 91% prevention.
Post-procedure, it takes away the worry. After you’ve ejaculated all viable sperm, typically 25 to 35 emissions, your partner and you can forget about birth control. You both also can wave goodbye to the stress of an unplanned pregnancy (vasectomies do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases, however).
You won’t lose the mood preparing. Close to 25% of men say their erections falter while putting on a condom. If you’ve experienced this, or even if you have not, a vasectomy eliminates the risk of condoms or other birth control methods disrupting your fun.
A vasectomy can make better financial sense. When it comes to return on investment, a vasectomy can deliver more than other forms of birth control. The most popular methods range from $150 to more than $2,000 a year(depending on health insurance), while a vasectomy requires just one payment and might be covered by your policy.
It won’t threaten your sexual function. The vasectomy procedure does not reduce hormone levels, so your libido, ability to get an erection, and sensations won’t change. Your ejaculations will look the same but without sperm.
You can expect a mild recovery. If you’re nervous about the procedure, some of our physicians offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to relax you. Afterward, your testicles may be swollen and achy for a week or so. You’ll feel better with Tylenol, an ice pack, and a few days of feet-up rest. Avoid heavy lifting, exercise, and intercourse for five days.
A Vasectomy’s Sweet Rewards are Forever
If you’re committed to permanent sterilization and the above benefits convince you that Sweetest Day is the right time to schedule a vasectomy, then it’s probably time to call a urologist. Our doctors can go over the next steps and perform an evaluation to ensure you’re ready.
Afterward, you can get that Sanders Candy for yourself.
What’s it like to get a vasectomy? Visit our vasectomy website to learn more about the procedure or request an appointment online.
