| BY THE NUMBERS |
Vasectomy – A Cut above the Rest
Vasectomy is the most effective method of birth control, besides abstinence. During vasectomy, a urologist closes or blocks the two tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm. This blocks sperm from leaving the body and causing pregnancy.
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1118/BTN_01.1440_0_1.jpg)
500,000
Number of men in the U.S. per year who have a vasectomy
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1119/BTN_02.480_0_1.jpg)
1
Number of weeks you should avoid heavy lifting after procedure
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1120/BTN_03.960_0_1.jpg)
3
Number of months most urologists will suggest waiting to check the semen (or 20 ejaculates, whichever comes first) to see if you’re sperm-free
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1113/BTN_image7.960_0_1.jpg)
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1112/BTN_image3.960_0_1.jpg)
50,000
rate per hour at which sperm are produced in the testes
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1121/BTN_04.480_0_1.jpg)
20
Number of minutes it typically takes for the doctor to perform the procedure
0
How low your sperm count must be before you don’t need any other method of birth control
10+
Number of years the great majority of men who seek a vasectomy have been married.
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1123/BTN_06.480_0_1.jpg)
1897
Year the first vasectomy was performed in the United States
1-2
Number of days it usually takes before you can return to work after a vasectomy
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1122/BTN_05.480_0_1.jpg)
2-3 x 1
(inches long X inches wide)
Average size of an adult testicle.
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1124/BTN_07.480_0_1.jpg)
As many as
10%
of men who get a vasectomy later seek a reversal, in which the doctors reconnects the two tubes that were closed
4-12
Number of months it can take for your partner to get pregnant after vasectomy reversal
![](/urologyhealth/summer2016/by_the_numbers/1125/BTN_08.480_0_1.jpg)
For more information about Vasectomy, visit
UrologyHealth.org/Vasectomy
UrologyHealth.org | SUMMER 2016 | UROLOGYHEALTH extra