If you’re done having kids, or don’t plan on having any children, permanent sterilization is a sensible and legitimate course of action. However, many men are unwilling to consider a vasectomy. Here are three reasons you may want to consider it as a viable option.

Side effects of birth control

Birth control is very effective if used correctly, but there are side effects. Changes in mood and decreased libido are common, and the pill has been associated with higher cancer rates. Plus there’s the cost of taking a prescription medication every day for the rest of a woman’s childbearing years, which is a significant period of time. A vasectomy may cost more up front, but it will save money in the long run and spare your partner from these side effects.

Female sterilization is major surgery

While getting a vasectomy is a relatively simple procedure, a hysterectomy or even a tubal ligation is considered major abdominal surgery. As such, these are more complicated procedures with correspondingly higher rates of complications, including hormonal imbalance, sexual pain, osteoporosis, heart disease, and depression. The major side effect of a vasectomy is being store for a few days.

Low failure rate

A vasectomy has a 1 in 2,000 failure rate, compared with 1 in 200 for a tubal ligation. Not only is a vasectomy a simpler procedure with far fewer side effects that female sterilization, it’s more effective.

For more information about whether a vasectomy is right for you and to schedule a consultation, visit www.michaelskaplanmd.com.