Q: I am thinking about getting a vasectomy, but I really don’t know if it is right for me. My girlfriend wants me to, but I have to admit, the thought of anything sharp down there has me pretty scared. We know we don’t want kids and we are committed to each other. Is there any reason I shouldn’t do this?
A: That is a pretty hard question to answer, even with the information you’ve provided. While a vasectomy is a pretty simple procedure, it is generally considered to be irreversible. So, if you’re gonna cut the path for your swimmers now, know that that road is probably blocked forever.
Getting a vasectomy done can be an extremely liberating experience. Not having to worry about causing an unwanted pregnancy is a big weight off many men’s shoulders. Sure, condoms can help, but there is always a risk with any kind of birth control method. On the other hand, vasectomies are very successful with a very low failure rate. That said, pregnancy isn’t the only thing you’re looking to avoid in sex. If transmitting sexual infections is a concern, a barrier method will still be necessary.
If you and your partner are secure in your sexual health, the other big concern is your own mental health. You mention that you are committed to each other. Now, I don’t want to be a cynic, but how can any of us be sure about that these days? And even if you feel sure now, will you feel so sure in a decade? Are you sure you won’t want kids after some time?
Trust me, I’m really just playing Devil’s Advocate here. If you decide you want a vasectomy, you go right ahead. It sounds like a good idea. However, depending on your age, you might encounter resistance from health care providers. Some doctors do not perform sterilization on people they deem to young, mostly because of the types of arguments I outlined above. You may have to persuade them to understand you or even move on to a different doctor.
So, in terms of sexual and mental health, we’ve gone over the basics. You can make your decision in that respect. But let’s help you get past one more thought: the fear of sharp things down near your junk. I’m not going to lie: when the doctor did mine, he really should have waited about 5 more seconds before using his super-sharp scissors to cut my scrotum. There was moment of intense pain, but then after that...smooth sailing. All told, I had about 24 hours of discomfort after this minor surgery. Painkillers and a bag of frozen peas on my crotch definitely helped my situation along.
After that? Well, I can say that the past 15 years of barrier-free fucking has been fucking fantastic. Even though the relationship I was in at the time ended, when I was ready to move on, we got tested and I got to resume my fantastic fucking.
Hopefully this has given you some cutting edge thoughts!
Jon Pressick is the sex community's international gadabout and Cherry Banana's writer in residence. An award-winning sex writer and blogger, Jon is the editor of the critically-acclaimed Best Sex Writing of the Year, Volume 1. He is a frequent contributor to Cherry Banana with a range of sex-related content and his writing has appeared in numerous magazines and books, as well as all across the Internet. Jon is also a co-host and producer of the long-running sex radio show Sex City. You can keep up with his many sex-related articles here at Cherry Banana or at his own blog, Sex in Words.
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