Dr. Koushik Shaw and Austin Urology Institute explain the differences between vasectomy and tubal ligation for those considering female birth control.

Just because you’re done having kids, that doesn’t mean your done being intimate. These days, there are more options than ever for long term birth control, but most of these ask a lot from the ladies in the relationship. Comparatively, a vasectomy is one of the easier forms of birth control, and it’s permanent. Dr. Koushik Shaw and the Austin Urology Institute team receive a lot of questions related to birth control, so we’ve put together a comparison between vasectomies and other birth control methods.

Vasectomy

• An in-office procedure with local anesthesia (no needles)
• The procedure takes about 15 minutes
• Small incisions are made in the scrotum to access the vas deferens
• The vas deferens is clipped, cut and cauterized to prevent the flow of sperm
• The scrotal incisions are closed with absorbable sutures
• Recovery time from the procedure is about a week
• Permanent

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

• A copper device that may have a hormonal coating that is inserted into the cervix to stop fertilization and interfere with ovulation
• Can stay in place for several years, but is not permanent
• Can slip out the cervix, be pushed into the uterus or cause infection
• Is not permanent

Whatever birth control method you decide on, the vasectomy experts at Austin Urology Institute is available to answer your questions. We’ll gladly walk you through your female birth control and male birth control options in Austin. Schedule a consultation at www.austinurologyinstitute.com/contact.