The Pros And Cons Of Having A Vasectomy

The Pros and Cons of Having a Vasectomy

When guys reach that point in their lives when they know they don't want children (or they have plenty of them and don't want more!), they often choose to undergo a vasectomy. Most men who undergo the procedure have no lingering effects and often are happy with the results. But there are some terrified of undergoing any sort of procedure, worried about a penis injury happening when they get a vasectomy. The truth is that there are pros and cons to the procedure, and every man needs to know what those are in order to make an informed decision.

The pros of vasectomy:

Any man who wants to have a vasectomy must understand what he will benefit from the procedure. Here are some of the reasons many men choose to do it:

1) No more kids. The most obvious "pro" of vasectomy is that it prevents a man from fathering children. In the world of birth control, this is almost as close as a guy can get to not having that particular responsibility.

2) The procedure is quick. The procedure is a "one and done" situation - a guy goes in, gets a snip, and is out of the doctor's office within an hour or so. This one simple procedure is all he needs.

3) Recovery is quick, too. Most men are told to take it easy on the couch for a few days. He might have some soreness for a few weeks, as well as bruising, but within a month or so he's right as rain.

4) No more condoms. It usually takes about 20 ejaculations for a guy to rid his body of all semen and thus be fine with not using a condom while having sex. As long as he's in a monogamous relationship, he can enjoy the freedom of unprotected sex without worry.

5) No pressure on a partner. Some men find themselves with a partner who can't use certain birth control methods. By getting a vasectomy, he relieves his partner of the responsibility of figuring out birth control.

The cons of vasectomy:

Though there are many pros to the procedure, there are some risks that men need to carefully consider.

1) It's a surgical procedure. Even though the procedure has been used for a long time and has been perfected by numerous doctors, there is still a risk anytime someone uses a scalpel on a delicate area. Though rare, some men have reported problems that lingered after the surgery.

2) No protection from sexually transmitted infections. Many men had the best of both worlds when they used condoms: The protection from pregnancy and from infections. However, a man who has a vasectomy still has to use a condom if he doesn't have a steady, monogamous partner.

3) Reversal can be tough. Though the procedure for vasectomy is quick and easy, reversing it is much more involved. If a man changes his mind and decides he really does want to have more children, it will be an uphill battle to make it happen.

4) Sometimes it doesn't work. In a small percentage of men, the vasectomy doesn't "take." This means that a guy who had a vasectomy could wind up with a surprise baby a few years down the road.

5) Some men feel regret. Though most men who undergo the procedure are happy with the outcome, some men are deeply affected by the fact that they are no longer fertile. This can lead to depression and related problems, which can affect every part of a man's life.

The decision to have a vasectomy is a very important one that a man should never take lightly. Before the procedure and after, he should pay close attention to his penis health, including the use of a good penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). A crème that contains L-carnitnine can help protect the nerves of the penis; L-arginine can help ensure blood flow stays ample. Shea butter and vitamin E, both known for their healing properties, are also great for a man recovering from a vasectomy.