Vasectomy/Sterilization

What is it?

Vasectomy, also known as sterilization, is a surgical procedure to close or block the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm to the penis).

How does it work?

• In a vasectomy procedure, your doctor will remove or block the vas deferens (tubes that carry sperm to the penis) to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg.
• Your doctor will use local anesthesia and make a small incision or puncture on the skin of the scrotum to reach the vas deferens.
• You will need to use another form of contraception until a semen analysis shows no sperm present.

How effective is it?

• Vasectomy is 99.85% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Only 1-2 people out of 1,000 will have an unplanned pregnancy in the first year after their partner has a vasectomy.

Does it prevent sexually transmitted infections?

• No, a Vasectomy will not protect you or your partners from sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
• To protect against pregnancy and STBBIs, use dual protection. This means using a condom and/or oral dam (dental dam) with another form of birth control each time you have sex.
• Talk to a health-care provider about birth control and STBBI prevention.

Services related to this information:

• Contact Planned Parenthood — NL Sexual Health Centre at 1-877 NO MYTHS (666-9847) or 709-579-1009
• Contact your Public Health Nurse:
  • Eastern Urban/Rural Zones
  • Central Zone
  • Western Zone
  • Labrador-Grenfell Zone
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555

Eastern-Urban:

• Contact the Sexual Health Clinic at sexualhealthclinic@easternhealth.ca.
• Contact the community walk-in clinic (Mundy Pond) at 709-777-1706.