Vasectomy Vs. Tubal Ligation ("Tied Tubes")

Updated on December 13, 2009
D.S. asks from Cambridge, MA
9 answers

Dear Moms,
my husband and i have two children, we are happy. We do not want any more children. So currently we are discussing a permanent solution to contraception: vasectomy for him or tubal ligation for me. In the end, this decision is very personal, and only we can make it, i realize that. But i wondered if any of you have experience with these procedures or their after-effects?

Does vasectomy affect a man's health or well-being in any way, in the short or long term, physically or psychologically?

Does tying tubes affect a woman's health or well-being in any way, in the short or long term, physically or psychologically?

If you have personal experience with the medical procedures, how is it, how is the recovery?

Thank you very much!
D.

1 mom found this helpful

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

The way I look at it is us woman have the babies so my opinion if my hubby doesn't want anymore kids he can go be the one to get snipped and experience a little bit of discomfort for a day or two.

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B.V.

answers from Boston on

Vasectomy is not major surgery. Tubal ligation is. That alone should make it an easy decision. He can also get a vasectomy reversed. I don't believe you can get a tubal ligation reversed. I'm guessing he doesn't want a vasectomy but the bigger question is why. Good luck.

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R.C.

answers from Fayetteville on

As you said, this is such a personal decision. A talk with a good doctor you trust sounds like it is in order as well.
From my experience I have not heard of any long term affects on either male or female with such procedures. I have know a few men who have gotten it done and there was the soreness factor for them for a few days, but nothing sever. I personally have had the procedure done (6 children later) and did so during the birth of our last child as it was a c-section. So that would be a bit different experience then you would have. Thinking about any difference....you know, my periods are actually on a normal cycle. I couldn't think that that would have anything to do with it though...huh. Interesting. :) Anyway, even after having six children, it was a very difficult decision. It sounds like I don't need to tell you, but just make sure you guys are really sure before you finalize!

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C.B.

answers from Boston on

I had a laparoscopic tubal occlusion (tubes tied) done in 2001 and have had zero negative effects. They went through 2 tiny incisions in my belly button and I have to look really closely to see the tiny scars. They used little rings to loop around my fallopian tubes since simply cutting the tubes had caused some of them to regrow in the past. I do not feel a thing now, it was done as outpatient and I had to stay home for a day afterward, but had no side effects whatsoever. Who knows, by now they might have a whole new method. My husband was a wuss and did not want anyone to do anything near his precious private parts, and I figured this way I am protected if the UPS guys looks really cute!! I did work with a guy who had a vasectomy and came to work with a bag of frozen peas in his lap since one side swelled up and caused him pain for a day or so. I would Google worst case side effects and not only go by best case. My husband had minor surgery (ultrasound for a kidney stone)and instead of the "2 days at home with some pain killer" he was in intensive care for a week. good luck.

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E.B.

answers from Knoxville on

Having your tubes tied is a MAJOR surgery that can result in scar tissue forming and potentially causeing you lots of problems down the line. A vasectomy is a simple out patient procedure with virtually no problems ever reported. The safest procedure by far would be the vasectomy. Most doctors wont tie your tubes if you are so young so u should ask about that too. I strongly urge you not to get your tubes tied, for your own safety. I hope this helps.

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W.D.

answers from Boston on

You can look at it this way - vasectomy is a one hour, outpatient experience. Tubals, is major invasive surgery. My hubby spent one day on the couch with frozen veggies and was ready to go out to dinner the next night. He was swollen, but not overly bothered by the whole thing.. with women, it's much more. Both are great procedures, but I"m glad we went the way we did.. But we left the decision up to how my labor went with my youngest - if I had a c-section, then I would have tied my tubes. You don't have that choice, but I would suggest talking to a urologist to get the details on the procedure before making any decisions.
good luck

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J.H.

answers from Boston on

Hi. I had a post partum tubal ligation. My husband and I were also happy to have just 2 children so I planned for the procedure the day after I had my 2nd child. I figured I was already going to be in the hospital and recovering from labor and delivery so might as well just add in the recovery from that too. The procedure was very quick, I was back in my room less than 2 hours after leaving for the OR. The incision was in my belly button and you can't see the scar unless you look really, really close and it's very tiny. My recovery was not bad. I was sore and had some cramping the next 2 days but it was not awful and some of that could have just been recovery from childbirth as well. :) It has been over 2 years and I have not had any problems. I have noticed that my period is a little heavier than it was and I have a little more cramping before I start but really nothing that I would complain about. I personally did not have any psychological issues with our decision. We are happy with our family of 4 and wanted to keep it that way. I didn't want to be on a pill or have an IUD so I chose to have the surgery and I don't regret it for one minute.

My neighbors went the other way. She said that she carried and gave birth to their kids so he should have the vasectomy. He said it was very painful and it took him 4 days to recover. Plus he had to go back and have it redone cause when he had his check up they said it looked like it hadn't worked so he had to have a second procedure and then recover again. I know not all vasectomies have this problem but he is the only one that I know that has had one. Every one of my other friends have either had the tubals or are on other methods of birth control.

One other thing to consider is that a tubal starts working immediately as far as birth control goes but if your husband has a vasectomy you have to wait 6 months for it to be effective. So you would still need to be on another form of birth control for those first 6 months.

Hope this helps and good luck with you decision!

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C.M.

answers from Boston on

the men have a faster recovery than for a woman.

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K.A.

answers from Boston on

Hi there!
I've just had a tubal ligation in August-it was a day surgery and I was put under anesthesia-it was great!!!! The next day I was feeling a little bit tired and crampy but nothing that stopped me-I just took it a little slower.My hubby was not a big fan of vas. and honestly a I did not want to push him. It was really not bad at all-just a day in the hospital.I'm 38 with 2 children also-it was time for us. Good luck when you're ready!

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