Sterilization requires surgery for both men and women. The sterilization procedure for men is called a vasectomy. This procedure is a minor surgery done by a qualified medical professional that |cuts|, ties, or seals the tubes between the testicles and the penis. A vasectomy prevents sperm from entering the ~semen~ and is considered permanent. Immediately after the procedure, another form of birth control should be used until all the sperm has been emptied from the tubes. This can take from 1 to 3 months.
The procedure for a woman is called a tubal ligation. This is usually done as an outpatient. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. This procedure seals, ties, or clamps off the fallopian tubes between the |ovary| and the |uterus|. This is effective immediately and the woman can resume normal sexual relations once she feels comfortable.
Who Can Use Sterilization:
Anyone can use sterilization, but is normally reserved for those people that are absolutely certain they will never want children or want more children. Also, for those that have a related health concern, this may require consideration.
Who Should Not Use Sterilization:
With the difficulty or inability to reverse the procedure, anyone still considering children anytime in the future should avoid this method and select a reversible type of contraceptive.
Advantages:
Both methods of sterilization have a possible |pregnancy| rate of less than 1 out of 100 women get pregnant in a given year after sterilization. Short of abstention, the most effective method of birth control.
Disadvantages:
Irreversible, requires surgery, discomfort, pain, possible complications, and cost.
Side Effects:
Common - all side effects are surgery related. There are no others to be reported.
