A vasectomy is surgery to make a man sterile (permanently unable to father a child). During a vasectomy, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the urethra (called the vas deferens) is cut and tied off or clipped, preventing sperm from being released during ejaculation.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Anne Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerKirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last RevisedMay 13, 2010

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