OTHER METHODS
- Vasectomy
- Who uses it?
- How do you use it?
- Where do you get it?
- How effective are they?
- STD Protection
- Pros
- Cons
Vasectomy is a surgery that permanently blocks the tubes called the vas deferens from mixing sperm with ejaculation fluid or “cum”. After this safe and quick procedure, cum will look the same, but have no sperm inside it. This permanently prevents impregnation.
People who are absolutely sure they do not want biological children in the future. Because a vasectomy is a permanent method, most doctors in the United States will not perform this surgery on people under the age of 18. Reversal procedures exist, but they are technically complex, expensive and sometimes unsuccessful.
A vasectomy can be performed by a clinician in a clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office. It is a simple and quick procedure, and the patient can go home the same day. You will need to use a BC method for a few weeks after the operation, until a “sperm count” shows that no active sperm are leaving the body.
Vasectomies are performed by a clinician at a clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office.
A vasectomy is 99.9% effective permanent way to prevent impregnation.
NO. For STD protection use condoms with this method.
- Vasectomy is permanent
- Simple and safe procedure
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV
- Permanent and virtually irreversible
- May not be good for people who want biological children in the future
- Fertility Awareness
- Who uses it?
- How do you use it?
- Where do you get it?
- How effective are they?
- STD Protection
- Pros
- Cons
To use the fertility awareness method you must learn your fertile time of the month, which is when you release an egg (or ovulate). If you have unprotected sex during this time, you are likely to get pregnant. People who know their ovulation cycle can estimate when it is safer to have sex.
People who are in between other methods and want a natural, inexpensive form of BC, or who don’t use other BC methods because of religious beliefs.
You must learn the cycles of your own body to use the fertility awareness method. On the days when you are fertile each month, you must not have unprotected sex. Instead use a barrier method like a male or female condom, or a cervical cap or diaphragm.
For more in-depth information about using this method, go to:
• PlannedParenthood.org
• AmericanPregnancy.org
There are many resources available, such as textbooks, classes and online sites, which can help you track your own cycle.
Fertility awareness methods are 75-88% effective.
NO. For STD protection use condoms with this method.
- No side effects
- Natural and free
- Easy to hide
- Permitted by many religions and cultures as a form of BC
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV
- Can be difficult to calculate your natural cycle
- Only works for people who have regular periods