Vasectomy vs Tubal Ligation - East Stroudsburg,PA

Updated on September 18, 2006
L. asks from East Stroudsburg, PA
18 answers

Hi,
I would like to know all about vasectomy and tubal ligation.
Anyone's spouse has gone through a vasectomy? What are the pros and cons of both procedures?
I've heard all sorts of side effects. From mood swings to hormonal imbalances.
L..

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L.

answers from Pittsburgh on

There should be no mood swings associated with hormones for eaither as you are not touching any of the hormone producing glands. I had a tubal, and ready for this, I had a miscarriage after that. I went to martial arts class with a man who had a vascetomy, and although he was uncomfortable (this was the day after), he was able to participate in most of the class, without pain. By the following class he was fine. My suggestion, if you want to be completely safe, do both. Neither is %100, just keep that in mind.

L.

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J.M.

answers from Barnstable on

HI hon! Well I am 28 and we opted for a Tubal Ligation when I had a csection with my daughter 4 yrs ago. About a yr after gicing birth I stopped my period for about 4 mo then it started and it was beyond heavy to the point I got anemic for 3 mo straight. When I went to the Dr she told me it was acsued by a hormone imbalance to do with ovulation. Never said it was directly an effect of the tubes tied thou. So she put me on Metroprogesterone 12 days a month. I have had no probs since then. But if I go off the Metro it starts up again. Just FYI of what COULD happen. I dont know much about a Vasectomy but I have heard they are able to go back to work the next day. hope this helps a little*S

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T.P.

answers from Dover on

L.,
I would suggest having your husband go for the vasectomy. It is a lot less invasive procedure than what a tubal is. The only side effect I have heard of/noticed with vasectomies... hold on, don't laugh... the men can occasionally act like a whipped puppy for a few days afterwards. Tubals on the other hand are invasive, meaning more healing time and more risk of infection. I've heard that once women have tubals they become extremely hormonal and some have a loss of sexual appetite.

My husband and I have decided that when we're done having children, he's going in for a vasectomy. I've been through childbirth twice and plan to do it at least once more. He wouldn't even consider having my get a tubal as he feels I've done enough.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it'll be the right decision for your family. Hope that helps!!

T.

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K.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

L.,

My husband had a vasectomy. It was about an hour in the office and two days of taking advil for very minor discomfort. About 2 days for recovery (equivilent to about an afternoon for a woman:) and we are both very happy that he did it. No side effects whatsoever and sex is the same.

K.

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C.B.

answers from New London on

First let me start by saying this is a very personal decision to make, and certainly not an easy one. My husband nor myself have not gone through the experience but we've had numerous friends who have. The majority of them regreted their decision for whatever reasons, years later. Like I said, this is a very personal decision and I'm sure you'll make the right one for your family. Right now I do not want to have anymore children, but somewhere down the line I might have a change of heart. So we chose a less permanent route. I went with the good old IUD. It prevents pregnancy for 10-15 years and is 99.9% effective. Should I change my mind I have it removed, if not in 10-15 years I have another one inserted. Good luck with your decision. :)

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B.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

I had a tubal ligation after my second child and I strongly don't recommend it.I have no sex drive,periods much more painful and heavy,also mood changes like crazy.I also have night sweats and so forth.Recovery time is much longer than the men getting vasectomy.After we heard it wasn't 100% my husband went in for a vasectomy.His was in and out office visit recovery 1 week and no problems.It's your personal choice though.

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M.L.

answers from New York on

OMG, before you are absolutely sure, positively sure, that you don't want any more children, research the Tubal thing. Don't do it without really knowing you are done with kids. I made the mistake of getting it done right after I had my last little boy 4 years ago and I regret ever doing it. I'm only 33 and could have had another child (I was hoping for a girl this time)but now won't be able to.

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D.C.

answers from Pittsburgh on

A vascectomy is minor surgery, done under local anesthetic in a doctors office or clinic. A tubal ligation is major surgery done in a hospital with general anestetic. With a vasectomy the man can go back to work in two or three days and usually has only minor discomfort. With a tubal ligation the recovery time is longer and I would imagine more painful, although I have not had one. My husband had a vasectomy recently and was very pleased with the whole procedure and he felt good that he had saved me the ordeal of major surgery. He has had no side effects and the only con I can think of is it's not really revesable although I believe it is easier to reverse than a tubal. My ob/gyn and his urologist both mad it a point to say that if you think you might change your mind, don't do it, because the reversal rate is not as high as people think. My SIL had a tubal and was pleased with the outcomes of that, and I do't believe she had any side effects either. Again her doctor told her not to do it if she thought she might change her mind because of the reversablity factor. Talk to your obstetrician or gynecoligist and he/she will give you good information about both proceedures that may help you decide if either option is right for you and your husband. There are other birth control options out there that aren't as permanent as either of these. good luck. It's a hard decision to make especially if you and your husband don't agree. My only advice is if you're not sure, don't do it. Try something else and look at it again if and when you are. Let me know how it goes.

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A.L.

answers from Boston on

HI L.,

My husband had a vasectomy a couple of years ago and it was a breeze. We did our research and found a place in Woburn MA called Mystic Valley Urological Association. After going to several doctors in Maine we realized that this area is not up to speed with the newest techniques in vasectomy.
There is no incision with the new procedure and very little risk for infection. Recovery is much shorter because the incision is so tiny. They make a very small slice and insert a thin wire that looks like a crochet hook. They hook the tube they need, cut it in half (no pain) and they cotorize the ends and push it back inside.
The whole procedure took less than 15 minutes, we went home, he took some tylenol and was back to work the next day.

I highly recommend looking for someone who uses this procedure. The old way is barbaric and absolutely not necessary.

Good Luck!
A.

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M.G.

answers from Boston on

hi I would say let your hubby get it done..I know so many that have had a tubal done and they werent quite the same ever since.. too many mood swings and other things that can happen and much more intailed surgery.. the men get off easy with the vasectomy a full weekend of frozen bagged peas and off they go again..i can wait fo my hubby to get it done..good luck with your decision
M.

i am a mom to two kids ages 4 and 3 in plymouth mass

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B.M.

answers from New York on

Hi, Good for you! Making a responsible decision about the reality of more children in a family. I am the mother of four. After my daughter was born my husband and I discussed both possibilities. We decided that since a vasectomy was a 15 minute procedure and a tub ligation was considered major surgery the vasectomy was the right choice.

We have never regretted it. He was back to work in two days and in a week he was back in the saddle so to speak. He had no problems with it and in fact our sex life was better because I wasn't so worried about pregnancies. There was absolutely no change in him due to the vasectomy. I answered alot of embarrasing questions after it was done. Did he change physically? No. Could he still "perform"? absolutely!

To me this 15 minutes out of his life was worth the world.

I'll also add that 8 years later due to masses in my uterus I had to have a hysterectomy. It's the same recovery time as a ligation and it was not pleasant. There are hormomal problems which I handled without medications. Hot flashes, mood swings. But all lessen in time.

I am the mother of 4 children. The boys are 23, 19, 16 and my daughter is 12.

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B.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

When I unexpectedly became pregnant with my third child just 6 months after the second was born, I sent my husband for a vasectomy. For two of our children, it only took one time to get pregnant. I love my children dearly but truly hate being pregnant.

My feelings were that if I could go through three pregnancies and births, he could have a vasectomy. He had it done on a Friday at the doctor's office and by Sunday was back to his normal self. He went back to work on Monday and never had any complications.

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K.M.

answers from Rochester on

My husband had a vasectomy and had no side effects at all.

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D.

answers from New York on

My hubby and I have decided that when the time is right...he will get "snipped". It's much easier for them to have the procedure done. It's just in and out and they sit around a couple days with an ice pack. With you it's major abdominal surgery, like a c-section. Besides, if for any reason you decide that you want it reversed, again it's much easier and successfull with the man.

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D.D.

answers from Syracuse on

Hi, my husband just had a vasectomy a couple of months ago we have two children also. He was in some pain for awhile but he hasn't had any other side effects. If your husband is up for it I would have him do it. He will have alot less down time than you would if you had the tubal ligation. And if you had it done he would have to probably stay home and help you anyway for awhile. Hope this helps.

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M.M.

answers from Boston on

Hi there.

I am a 36 year old mom of two teens. I had my tubes tied in 1992 after my second child. I KNEW I did not want any more children and I have never regretted this decision. I am SO fertil!

At the time I had it, it was an easy in and out procedure. I am sure it is much easier even now. But the only side affect I had from it was the gas they use to blow up your stomache creeps into your chest. I could not move my shoulders for two days and it was very painful. But I took the pain meds they gave me and tried to sleep through it. Luckily my mom was still around at the time and she took good care of me and the kids.

I LOVE having my tubes tied. My circumstances have changed since then and I had divorced. I am SO glad I am the one that did this because I know that I will not become pregnant no matter what! As far as reprocussions I have had none. As far as mood swings, etc..... I still have PMS realy really bad and as a matter of fact I still take Birth control for it. it helps with my mood swing and bad periods. But that is NOT due to my tubes I always had terible periods and pms.

I am SO glad I tied my tubes. I love my children but I DON"T want any more, in all these years I have never changed my mind about that.

Good luck.
M.

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D.S.

answers from Buffalo on

Well L. my husband had a vasectomy after are second daughter was born she was 4 weeks old there was really no side effects for him i can tell you that much and didnt take him long to recover i would say two days and thats about it ...i know i didnt want to get preggos again being that i had alot of trouble carrying both my girls and i couldnt go through what i did i think the other two responses are great and really if you decide later down the road you want to be pregnant again u will be able to carry a baby safely .I know alot of my frieds got the tubes done but me and me husband talked about this and it was more so his choice i think he sorta felt bad cause i went through enough .good luck on your decision D.

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Go for the vasectomy!! Way quicker healing time and not as much $$$. My husband and 5 of his friends all had it done on the same Friday and then came to my house for the weekend of recovery. It's was more like a frat party but, hey, they had fun.

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