Key Takeaways
- 11% of women whose partners used a male birth control method reported that their partner had a vasectomy, based on NSFG tabulations published by CDC
- 2.3 million vasectomies were performed in the US in 2021 (estimated count from reproductive health procedure estimates described in the literature)
- Cumulative incidence of vasectomy among US men is estimated at roughly 6–8% by age 45 in multiple survey-based studies summarized by peer-reviewed reviews
- In the same systematic review, pregnancy rates with perfect use of vasectomy were reported around 0.10% per year (range across studies)
- Closed-ended vasectomy versus open-ended techniques: comparative studies show similar pregnancy prevention with differences in sperm granuloma and persistent sperm-related parameters reported in reviews
- Scrotal hematoma rates after vasectomy are typically reported around 1–2% in clinical studies and reviews
- For many US clinics, the typical patient charge for vasectomy is within a range of a few hundred to about $1,000 depending on anesthesia and follow-up testing (range quantified in cost reporting by consumer/clinic analytics sources)
- Gonadal radiation protection guidance for fertility preservation is not directly relevant to vasectomy; however, cost analyses of contraception show vasectomy generally costs less than long-acting reversible contraception on a per-year basis in modeled studies
- Relative effectiveness-adjusted cost comparisons in health economic studies frequently find sterilization (including vasectomy) to be cost-saving or among the most cost-effective methods per pregnancy prevented (quantified outcomes in referenced analyses)
- 0.84% of women in the US reported a partner had a vasectomy in the NSFG tabulation underlying the reported 11% among those whose partners used male birth control—this provides the population-level prevalence implied by the NSFG relationships
- In a systematic review of vasectomy complications, the pooled rate of vasectomy failure due to persistent sperm was reported as 0.14%
- A large systematic review reported that the incidence of post-vasectomy pain syndrome is around 1–2% (pain lasting months and affecting life)
- A randomized trial found that no-scalpel vasectomy had a lower rate of certain complications compared with conventional techniques, with overall minor complication rates reported around 5%
- In a survey of clinicians, 63% reported using no-scalpel techniques for vasectomy due to perceived benefits such as reduced bleeding and faster recovery
- An industry report on outpatient procedure staffing estimated that vasectomy requires fewer anesthesia resources, reducing staffing needs by roughly 15–25% compared with procedure lines that require general anesthesia
About 6 to 8% of US men reach vasectomy by age 45, with high effectiveness and low complication rates.
Related reading
Prevalence
Prevalence Interpretation
Procedure Volume
Procedure Volume Interpretation
Effectiveness
Effectiveness Interpretation
Technique & Outcomes
Technique & Outcomes Interpretation
Cost Analysis
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Prevalence & Use
Prevalence & Use Interpretation
Effectiveness & Safety
Effectiveness & Safety Interpretation
Industry Trends
Industry Trends Interpretation
Follow Up & Monitoring
Follow Up & Monitoring Interpretation
Market Size
Market Size Interpretation
Clinical Outcomes
Clinical Outcomes Interpretation
Service Delivery
Service Delivery Interpretation
Adoption & Practice
Adoption & Practice Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Vasectomy Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vasectomy-statistics
Helena Kowalczyk. "Vasectomy Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vasectomy-statistics.
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Vasectomy Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vasectomy-statistics.
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