Tubal Vs. Vasectomy

Updated on November 14, 2006
S.J. asks from Orlando, FL
30 answers

Does anyone have any information on the advantages of either I getting a tubal ligation versus my husband getting a vasectomy. Neither one of us mind getting either surgeries but haven't figured out which one of us should get it. Thanks in advance for any advise/opinions.

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K.K.

answers from Boca Raton on

I hear that a tubal is harder to reverse, costs more, and has more recovery time than a vasectomy. When the time comes, my boyfriend has agreed that the vasectomy is the way to go.

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M.R.

answers from Fort Myers on

The Vasectomy is less risky than the tubal ligation, plus the recovery time is much less than the tubal ligation.

Good Luck!

M.

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D.

answers from Boca Raton on

The risk of complications with a vas. are MUCH lower than the risks associated with a tubal. A vasc. can be done in-office and has a short recoverty time.

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C.C.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hi S.!

After my second child my husband had this same decision to make. After weighing the pros and cons of each we decided that the vasectomy was the best option. It was an in office procedure that did not require a hospital stay or anesthesia and was less invasive. I actually sat in the room with him and watched the procedure just like he sat with me when our children were born. He was a little loopy from the Valium they gave him but other than that after he went home and slept for a couple of hours he was back on his feet and was fine. Just thought I'd share my experience with you. Hope this helps in your decision.

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L.

answers from Daytona Beach on

My husband had a vasectomy in March. We discussed both options with our doctor and the vasectomy was the better way to go. It is 100% effective because men can be tested to make sure they are no longer fertile. They can not do the same tests after you have a tubal, so you are never quite sure if the procedure was successful. I have a good friend who had a tubal and got pregnant 3 years later. Also, a tubal is a considered a major operation with considerable recovery time. My husband was up and walking around the very next day and only had minor discomfort.

Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hi, my name is E.. I have 2 sons and my husband had a vasectomy done. I am totally on the side of the man having it done. It is less painful, less evasive, and less money. My husband had to be careful on what he did for 1 day. If a woman had a tubal it's like 6 weeks. I don't see how anyone could take care of a baby after having that done. I want to applaud your husband to for standing up and saying he will have it done. Not many would. I appreciated my husband so much for doing that for me. Both of my prenancy's and births were hard so he said he would do that part of it. After it was done he said it was no big deal. Anyway, I hope that helped a little. E.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.G.

answers from Miami on

Listen to the People's advice everyones advice seemed so honest that I'm impressed.

V are cheaper
V is less painful
V can be reversed
V are not traumatic. (as for what women have to go thru. Just the begining process. Check ups and Lord forbid if u r diabetic or something, scheduling, Ins. paperwork, finding the right doctor that will do the 6cm thingy in case u change ur mind 5 years later). JEEZ.

V is the way to go.

Mom
N.

By the way I tubligated very painful esp if I sneezed. I don't want anymore, 2 boys (14yrs and 5yrs) is plenty. $$.

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L.M.

answers from Lakeland on

Hi S.,

In my opinion, the vasectomy is the way to go. A tubal is a MAJOR surgery, whereas the vasectomy is not. It is a simple procedure with very little recovery time. And if you ever were to change your mind, it is much easier and less costly to reverse. You might think you could never change your mind, but we had three children, the oldest being 18 and the youngest being 10, and surprised ourselves with the strong desire to have one more baby. He had the reversal 6 years after the vasectomy and now we have a beautiful 4 year old girl. Of course, the longer the vasectomy, the less chance of a successful reversal.

Anyway, My vote is for the vascetomy.

I hope this helps.

L.

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K.L.

answers from Lakeland on

Hi S.- If I had the choice it would be overwhelmingly to have your husband get the vasectomy. Your recovery time is 4-6 weeks and his is about 24 hours. You will have 2-3 abdominal incisions, he will have one stitch. You will have a far greater chance for complications.
Hooray that your husband is willingly to have this done!
best wishes and congrats on your new blessing!
K.

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M.E.

answers from Savannah on

Hi S.,

it all depends on if you want to have any more kids - i know vasectomies can be reversed and if you just get your tubes tied you can get that reversed, but not if you get a tubal ligation. (basically they tied them cut them and burn each end of the incision)

i had that procedure done after my 3 boy was born in april 04.

i have had no side effects and it was done laproscopically(no scars whatsoever) my doc went thru my belly button :)
the results have been great for me - it has reduced the number of days i have had a period and also the severity of my cramps.

i hope this help and if you have any further questions about it feel free to contact me
have a great day and Congrats on the new lil man in the house :)

M.
mom to 3 lil men :)

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J.W.

answers from Boca Raton on

Actually it is better for him to get it because it is a 15min proccedure which is an interoffice proccedure. If you have it it is alot more difficult. You have to go under General medication and you will have more difficulties then him. It is a more intrusive proccedure if you have it done compaired to him. But if you want to be totaly sure why don't both of you have the proccedures so that There will be no dought of preg.....

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D.M.

answers from Boca Raton on

S.,

I just had a tubal after the birth of my third child. One thing that I have found is that now the menstrual cramps for me are a lot worse. And from talking to people at work that seems very common. Just something to think about.

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C.T.

answers from Orlando on

I know my sister in law had this same discussion with my brother a couple of years ago and after talking to the doctors and reading up on the procedures they felt it was best for there family to get the vasectomy.
My sister told me it is less painful and will heal quicker then if she had done a tubal.
I had a friend who got pregnant again 3 years after her tubal. Also I heard that some woman can get pregnant in the tubal area as well.
Your best thing to do is do the reading and do what is best for your family.
C.

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C.S.

answers from Gainesville on

the vasectomy is much less invasive. the tubal requires much more sedation.

my personal experience with the tubal was rough but i also had two ovarian cysts removed at the same time. however, since my tubal, my periods have been horrible. i've heard this from several friends as well. the doctor says it is not a result of the tubal but i can name five other girls that have had the same experience.

good luck!

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R.G.

answers from Miami on

Well, I am a mother of three (boy and two girls) and my husband had a vasectomy in February of this year. It is definitely less invasisve for the man to have the vasectomy done, tubal ligation is major surgery for you. He had it done at the doctor's office, was done in less than an hour, recuperation was low maintenance as well - he went back to work the following Monday, surgery on a Friday. I would definitely recommend the vasectomy for your husband. If he'd like to talk to someone who's had it done, my husband would be more than happy to speak to him. Hope that helps!

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A.H.

answers from Orlando on

My husband is getting a vasectomy tomorrow. For us it was him b/c they wouldn't tie my tubes while they were already closing me up from my c-section b/c the dr said I was too young. And I am NOT going in to be put under anesthesia again. W/the vasectomy it is SO easy, it's under 30 minutes and they're out and feeling better within 2-3 days. The tubal involves anesthesia (general I think), and just seems way more complicated, which I've heard also from the dr, than for the man to get a vasectomy. They only use local anesthetic to numb the area and it's a quick procedure. Good luck!

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J.W.

answers from Melbourne on

I had a tubal done with my last c-section. I now have much heavier periods and major cramps. I would recommend letting him go in and have the V done instead!

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L.

answers from Miami on

S. -

The vas has far fewer side effects. With a tubal, the surgery is more involved, it will more than likely require general anesthesia (which carries it's own risks), the overall risks are greater which may include infection, blood loss, damage to other organs, etc., and there is the possibility of developing scar tissue in the pelvis and/or abdomen which may require further surgical intervention. My husband had a vas. in 1989 and has never had any problems. The worst part was the day of the procedure when the anesthetic wore off and he was very tender. Good luck whatever your decision. L. <><

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L.S.

answers from Gainesville on

I have had a tubal litigation and it is painful. They hang you upside down to do it and it gives you a sore neck for awhile. But I have a male coworker who said that the vasectomy was nothing and he was back to work. He feels great now and he is very glad that he got it done. My future husband also has a vasectomy. It is your decision and it is easier for the male to get it than the female. I have to commend your husband for being open to that because a lot of men are not.

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T.G.

answers from Orlando on

S.,
My recommendation would be meet with your GYN and discuss the possible complications of a tubal for you and then meet with an Urologist to discuss possible complications of a vasectomy for your husband.
I think one of the biggest deciding factors is age. If the two of you are young, is there a chance you may change your mind in the future? If so, ask which procedure has the highest success rate for reversal should you change your mind.
The deciding factor for us was that men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer (according to our doctors) when a vasectomy is performed on a young man. The risk is not as high if he is older (past middle age).
Both procedures have minimal down time. If cost is a factor, you might check with your insurance carrier to determine if these procedures are covered.
Good luck to you,
T.

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L.E.

answers from Boca Raton on

well it is a simpler procedure for the male due to it can be done in the doctors office and is minimaly invasive and only requires local anesticia. While the womans procedure on the other hand is required to be done under general anasticia but now a days it can be done via belly botton in an out patient center but as told to me by my doctor there is more risks involved for the woman than the man. I guess all you can do is each consult with your respective doctors and weigh the pros and cons of each one deciding to be the one to have it done. Whoever runs the lesser risk should be the one to do it since you both are willing to go under the knife. Good Luck!!!

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E.C.

answers from Naples on

Honey I say your hubby get it. ha ha....Us woman go through it all. Pregnancy then the birth. Give yourself a break and let him do it if he doesn't mind.

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R.D.

answers from Miami on

In my family's experience, a vasectomy was the best option. The main reason being that I make a better "nurse" than my husband. He wouldn't have been able to handle me recovering and our two young kids. My husband is an awesome father and he helps out tremendously but I am way more used to caring for the kids so it would have been much harder on everyone if I had the operation. He had a hard time recovering (which according to the doctor was very unusual) but nothing major. He was back to work in 2 days.

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C.F.

answers from Miami on

Hi, I am in the same situation. I believe is much easier for the vasectomy. It is just a matter of the husband state of mind. I think that they are going to loose some kind of male thing. I have only spoke to one person and he said the procedure is very simple, compare to the tubal ligation. I did not asked about the later performance...thought that would be to intimate to ask! For me is just a matter for him to take some time of and do it, but work is busy and physical and we are waiting for a vacation to have it done. Good luck! I am 51 and he is 57, with 3 kids. Two boys 25 and 20, and a girl 7. Do not want to wait to hit menopause and be worrying about contraception.

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M.W.

answers from Orlando on

A tubel is more intense!! My Husband and I thought it thru and talked to Drs. A vasectomy is a 15 min. procedure, in the office, he is numbed up well and they go in thru the scrotum and basically cauterize (SP) the 2 little tubes. They tell them no heavy lifting for a few days... The first day my Husband was a little uncomfortable , but like most other men we know who had it , were back at wk, the next day!! Men always kinda freak about it b/c they think OMG its gonna hurt so bad..... but it's no big deal ( says most men we know as well as my Husband... A Tubel is alittle more complicated then that and requires a short hospital stay 1-2 days.. A little about me. Married 10 years with two adorable busy boys ages 6 and 7. Good Luck with what ever choice you make!!~

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K.

answers from Boca Raton on

I had a tubal 10 weeks ago, but I had a c-section so it was no big deal but if it was a choice between having a regular delivery and then having to go thru major surgery or my husband just going to an out of office proceedure no quesiton, it would be my husband....

Good luck..

K.

I have a wonderful husband that I have been married to for 10 years and have 2 children my son will be 3 in November and my daughter is 10 weeks old...

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S.

answers from Lakeland on

Hi S.,
I worked in a Dr's office in CT for a year or so...All I can really tell you is that we did Vasectomy's in office with a recovery time of 1 day (maybe2). Vasectomy can usually be reversed if necessary.
The only thing I can tell you about a tubal, is that it is not reversible, and it has a longer recovery time.
Hope this helps some,
S.

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K.H.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

Hi S.,

I just had a baby, and I had the tubaliagation. My husband was going to have the vasactamy but being I had the baby, it was easier for me to have the procedure. Let me just tell you this. It would probably have been easer for him because the tubal was very painful. The doctor went through the belly button and that was where the suture were also, so for a week I was in excruiating pain. Getting up, lying down, sitting, standin etc. You get the picture. "PAINFUL". Anyone discussing this, have your husband go through the procedure. "TRUST ME".

K.

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W.H.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hi S.,

I am a 41 year old single mom. At the age of 36, I had a tubal ligation. I went in for out patient at 8:00 and by 11:30 I was having lunch with my mother. It was a piece of cake. I had a little bit of discomfort for a couple of days but I was back to work in a few days. I believe I had it on a Thursday or Friday and was back to work on Monday. I know that when my brother had a vasectomy, he much more uncomfortable than me. However, he is male and we all know what big babies they are. Take care and good luck.

W.
Port Orange

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P.I.

answers from Melbourne on

I had a tubal almost a year ago and it was only because I was already having a c-section, it seemed easier for me to have it done. My periods are still 3 days long and I don't get the cramps or tenderness in the breast like I used to before I had the tubal. As you have read everyones' symptoms are different.
I have to agree with everyone else about the vasectomy, if it weren't for me already having the c-section, my husband and I agreed that he would have done it instead!
I did happen to ask my doctor after I had my tubal if it can be reversed, she said that as long as there is still 6cm ( I think I used the right measurement, it might be mm) left it can. She also pointed out that a reversal cost as much as invitro-fertilization and neither one is covered by insurance, and that adoption cost twice as much as having the others done.
I also read that there is still a chance of getting pregnant after a tubal, it would be an ectopic pregnancy though.

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