If you and your partner are looking for permanent birth control solutions, the following blog will discuss both vasectomy and tubal ligation as permanent contraceptive strategies. Northern California Vasectomy specializes in no-scalpel vasectomies, a safe, effective, and less invasive alternative to traditional vasectomy.

Many people in long-term relationships decide either that they don’t want more children or that they don't ever want children at all. While there are numerous prophylactic tools available that can significantly reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy, couples that want a permanent and fool-proof contraception solution might choose either vasectomy or tubal ligation.

Vasectomy is a surgical procedure performed on men than prevents sperm from being transferred from the testicles into the semen via the vas deferens. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure performed on women that prevent eggs from being transferred into the uterus from the ovaries via fallopian tubes.

While both procedures are highly effective interventions, many couples may find vasectomy to be a more practical option than tubal ligation. Here are a few reasons why vasectomy – particularly no-scalpel vasectomy – is the better choice.

No-Scalpel vasectomy is a simpler procedure than tubal ligation. Tubal ligation is a highly complex surgical procedure that requires the patient to go under general anesthetic. Recovery time can also be considerable, with abdominal and upper body pain, bleeding, and discharge lasting approximately four days. No-scalpel vasectomy, however, is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that lasts under an hour from preparation to the conclusion. The patient can resume most activities almost immediately afterward, and normal pain and discomfort can typically be relieved through the use of ice packs and over-the-counter pain killers.

No-scalpel vasectomy is far lower cost. Because of the need for general anesthetic and the overall complexity of the procedure, tubal ligation can cost approximately $5,000. A no-scalpel vasectomy cost can run between $600 and $1,000, depending upon the location and practitioner.

There are fewer risks of complications with no-scalpel vasectomy. Tubal ligation and no-scalpel vasectomy procedures are safe when performed by skilled surgeons, but the invasive nature of tubal ligation makes the likelihood of complications far greater than with no-scalpel vasectomy. Additionally, tubal ligation can increase patient risk of ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, generally in the fallopian tube. These pregnancies can be life-threatening if medically unaddressed.

Every relationship dynamic is different and complex, so the decision which procedure makes the most sense for the couple's lifestyle and goals will depend upon numerous personal factors. However, no-scalpel vasectomy is the simpler, safer, cheaper, and less invasive option of the two, and yet yields equally effective results.

NorCalVas: Helping the Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Redding Communities Access Effective Family Planning Solutions

If you are in the Sacramento or surrounding areas and think that a no-scalpel vasectomy could be right for you, please contact the team from NorCalVas for a consultation.

Dr. Chirag A. Patel is a practitioner of family medicine, specializing in no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy procedures.