Vasectomy Vs Sterilisation

shellsuit

Have you had either?

Was it straight forward or did you/do you have complications?

Which worked best for you as a couple, ie, how did you decide which one to go for?

I've been reading up on vasectomys and have come across a LOT of men who are in pain months and years later.

I'm sick of pumping my body with chemicals so really don't want to use any kind of contraception anymore and we don't want to use condoms either.

scooby088

Vasectomy is alot easier for a man, as sterilisation of the woman is a major operation and shouldn't be treated a lightly as a vasectomy

gadjah543

I got sterilised after a failed attempt at my DH getting a vasectomy.Apparently he had scar tissue from an earlier op when he was a boy. He was in agony both during and after the procedure for a couple of weeks.My op was really straightforward .Went in for the day and had a bit of discomfort over the next 48 hours. No complications at all .I did get the mirena coil fitted a few years later as I was having really heavy bleeding and have to say if I had known about it before I would probably have had it fitted long ago. That said I can totally understand where you are coming from about not wanting to rely on contraceptives anymore.

Amanda65

DH had a vasectomy 15 years ago and I have to say I found the whole experience completely painless :rotfl::rotfl:.

In all seriousness, we decided to have 3 children, which we did, and the decision was to do something more permanent about not having anymore as we used condoms (I can't take the pill) and had in the past taken risks and an unplanned pregnancy up to 3 children wouldn't have been a disaster but after would have !

At the time I was 30 and DH was 35. He was adamant that, regardless of may happen, he had had his children and didn't want any more. I however felt that if something had happened to him and I met someone else mid to late 30's I may have wanted another (always sounds so awful to say I wouldn't have any more children with DH but would with someone else ) Add to that the fact that DS (child number 3) was an emergency caesarean which meant I had already had a stomach op and decision was made.

DH had the op on a Thursday evening and was 'uncomfortable' over the weekend but back at work on Monday and has had no problems since - no pain, scarring and everything in working order :T.

Gottodothis

I believe that a vasectomy is an easier, less risky op. Having said that i have never had one nor am I likely too.

I was sterilised about five years ago. The op was a pretty straight forward day case.

But i was in pain and discomfort for three weeks afterward as there were complications??

That said i would do it all again (thankfully i won't have too)

I *think* men seem to have more issues when its their tackle being messed with

lindos90

Would agree with scooby and gottadothis here.

After we had our family, my OH offered to have the snip, he said it was the least he could do after seeing the pain I went through with three births!

Done in five minutes, just had pain killers for a few days just in case.

There are always the few horror stories, but they are rare, and generally speaking the snip is easier and more straighforward than a sterilization.

shellsuit

Thanks for your replies guys!

See, the thing is, my husband asked me earlier for the number for the GPs so he can book an appointment to discuss it, which got me thinking after reading the horror stories, I'd feel soooo bad if he was in the same boat and I would feel like I'd pushed him into it because I don't want to take contraceptives anymore.

We've been together since 2002, married last October, I have 2 children who are almost 15 and 13 and me and my husband have a lovely little boy together who is coming upto 2.

I don't want anymore, he doesn't want anymore, and even if something happened to me, him or one of the kids, we still wouldn't want anymore.

I know the snip sounds like a doddle, but I don't know what I'd do if he suffered for the rest of his life because of it.

It's such a hard decision isn't it!


ETA : For those whose men had the snip, did you go with him to see his GP?

onlyroz

Either sounds a bit drastic. Why don't you give something like the mirena coil a try first?

shellsuit

onlyroz wrote: »

Either sounds a bit drastic. Why don't you give something like the mirena coil a try first?

I don't want anything, so no coil, no pills, no implants, no patches etc...

Mupette

i had sterilisation, at St Michaels in Bristol.

Anyone thinking of having this done there... see if you can go elsewhere.

Had mine done 7/8 years ago, and caught an infection whilst in the op theartre, was off work for a long time after, last month, OH's neighbours wife had the same op in the same hospital, and caught an infection the same way, seems they really have cleaning issues.

Barneysmom

I don't blame you not wanting the coil, it's an alien being in your body.

I was sterilised years ago and I'd say go for it. A bit of pain for a few days which you can sort out with co-codamol is worth it.

My brother had the snip about 5 years ago with no problems at all.