If you or your partner are looking into contraception methods, you’ve probably considered vasectomies before. While vasectomies are gaining popularity as a contraception procedure for men, a lot of people may have second thoughts about getting one and might still be on the fence. For one, the seemingly permanent nature of the procedure may be scary to some. But that’s just one of the many myths that might deter men from going for the procedure and enjoying all of its benefits.

While vasectomies are one the most definitive forms of contraception, they can be reversed most of the time. However, the procedure is more complicated than a vasectomy and there are many things you should be aware of before you consider the option. The whole procedure takes a lot more time than a vasectomy – up to three hours in some cases. You’ll often also be asked to stay overnight for recovery.

This myth is perpetuated mainly due to a lack of understanding of how the male reproductive system works. You will still be producing sperm after your vasectomy; it simply won’t be able to be expelled. Sperm will usually have a 3- to 5-day lifespan and will eventually die out and be replaced. And it won’t stay in the testes either, but will get reabsorbed by the body. Your vasectomy won’t affect your sperm production, hence why vasectomy reversals work in the first place.

While both procedures might seem similar to the layman, they are very different. Tubal ligation is a much more complex procedure, and has its fair share of risks as well. The patient will have to undergo an epidural or general anaesthesia and the procedure takes much longer than a vasectomy. It also has a much higher risk of complication. As you can see, vasectomies aren’t that scary after all. If you still have questions, we strongly suggest you talk with a professional