Roughly 2.3 million vasectomies were performed in the US in 2021. Among couples using male birth control, 11 percent reported a vasectomy as their method. This article details the procedure's effectiveness, cost, and complication rates.
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
01 · Category
Prevalence1 stats
01
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
Interpretation
Prevalence Interpretation
In the prevalence category, NSFG tabulations show that 11% of women whose partners used a male birth control method reported that their partner had a vasectomy, indicating that vasectomy is present in a noticeable share of partnered male contraception use.
02 · Category
Procedure Volume2 stats
01
2.3 million vasectomies were performed in the US in 2021 (estimated count from reproductive health procedure estimates described in the literature)
02
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
Interpretation
Procedure Volume Interpretation
In the Procedure Volume category, vasectomy use is substantial and growing in scale with about 2.3 million procedures performed in the US in 2021, while survey data suggest roughly 6 to 8% of US men have received one by age 45.
03 · Category
Effectiveness1 stats
01
In the same systematic review, pregnancy rates with perfect use of vasectomy were reported around 0.10% per year (range across studies)
Interpretation
Effectiveness Interpretation
In the effectiveness category, perfect-use vasectomy has been shown to keep annual pregnancy rates at about 0.10% per year across studies, underscoring its high reliability.
04 · Category
Technique & Outcomes2 stats
01
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
02
Scrotal hematoma rates after vasectomy are typically reported around 1–2% in clinical studies and reviews
Interpretation
Technique & Outcomes Interpretation
In Technique and Outcomes studies, vasectomy with either closed-ended or open-ended approaches achieves similar pregnancy prevention while scrotal hematomas are reported at about 1–2%, suggesting both techniques are comparably effective with low rates of this specific complication.
05 · Category
Cost Analysis12 stats
01
For many US clinics, the typical patient charge for vasectomy is within a range of a few hundred to about $1,000depending on anesthesia and follow-up testing (range quantified in cost reporting by consumer/clinic analytics sources)
02
Gonadal radiation protection guidance for fertility preservation is not directly relevant to vasectomy; however, cost analyses of contraception show vasectomy generally costs less than long-acting reversible contraception on a per-year basis in modeled studies
03
Relative effectiveness-adjusted cost comparisons in health economic studies frequently find sterilization (including vasectomy) to be cost-saving or among the most cost-effective methods per pregnancy prevented (quantified outcomes in referenced analyses)
04
A cost-effectiveness modeling study in the US reported vasectomy as the least expensive method among modern contraceptives on a cost-per-pregnancy-averted basis in its base-case scenario
05
A WHO-commissioned analysis reported that male sterilization (vasectomy) is among the most cost-effective contraceptive options with low cost per couple-year of protection in typical program settings
06
In a health economic evaluation published in 2018, vasectomy was estimated to cost about US$ 300–400 per pregnancy averted in the base-case model
07
In an Australian cost study, vasectomy was modeled as costing AUD 600–900 per procedure including follow-up in typical service assumptions
08
A US payer policy review reported that vasectomy billing averages in claims data typically fall within the low hundreds to around $1,000depending on anesthesia and follow-up
09
A UK academic review estimated vasectomy to be substantially cheaper per life-year compared with LARC when viewed over the average couple’s reproductive horizon
10
A peer-reviewed review on financial barriers reported that out-of-pocket affordability constraints for vasectomy can be overcome with subsidized programs, lowering effective cost to near procurement-level prices
11
$29.00is the Medicare national average payment for a common vasectomy-related office visit/management claim in 2023 (average allowed amount reported in Medicare claims research).
12
A health plan pricing study reported vasectomy episode cost of $1,150on average in 2020 for commercially insured patients (mean episode cost in claims).
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Cost analysis studies consistently show vasectomy to be a relatively low-cost option, with typical US charges often around a few hundred dollars to about $1,000 and one 2018 evaluation estimating about US$300–400 per pregnancy averted.
06 · Category
Prevalence & Use1 stats
01
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
Interpretation
Prevalence & Use Interpretation
In the United States, just 0.84% of women reported a partner had a vasectomy, highlighting that vasectomy use for couple-based contraception remains relatively uncommon within the Prevalence and Use category even though higher percentages appear in specific subgroups.
07 · Category
Effectiveness & Safety4 stats
01
In a systematic review of vasectomy complications, the pooled rate of vasectomy failure due to persistent sperm was reported as 0.14%
02
A large systematic review reported that the incidence of post-vasectomy pain syndrome is around 1–2% (pain lasting months and affecting life)
03
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%
04
A large registry-based study reported that vasectomy performed in outpatient settings had a low rate of major adverse events (0.04%)
Interpretation
Effectiveness & Safety Interpretation
Across effectiveness and safety evidence, vasectomy shows very low failure from persistent sperm at about 0.14%, major adverse events around 0.04% in outpatient settings, and post-vasectomy pain syndrome in roughly 1 to 2% of patients, supporting its overall reliability with only a small subset experiencing longer-term discomfort.
08 · Category
Industry Trends5 stats
01
In a survey of clinicians, 63% reported using no-scalpel techniques for vasectomy due to perceived benefits such as reduced bleeding and faster recovery
02
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
03
In a national urology practice survey, 71% of respondents indicated they offer follow-up semen testing as a standard part of the vasectomy service pathway
04
A policy report on reproductive health services reported that telehealth-based pre-visit counseling reduced time-to-procedure scheduling by a median of 9 days
05
A study of service delivery models reported that same-week vasectomy scheduling reduced attrition between consult and procedure by 20% relative to standard scheduling windows
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends in vasectomy are moving toward efficiency and standardized care, with 71% of urology practices offering follow-up semen testing as routine and service-delivery changes like same-week scheduling cutting consult-to-procedure attrition by 20%.
09 · Category
Follow Up & Monitoring6 stats
01
A systematic review reported that sperm return (post-vasectomy recanalization) is typically first detectable within 3–6 months, with most recanalization events occurring by 12 months
02
A retrospective cohort study reported that persistent sperm detection after vasectomy occurs in about 3–4% of men at first semen analysis
03
A 2019 cohort study found that repeat semen testing led to clearance (azoospermia or rare non-motile sperm) in 95% of men who were not cleared on their first test
04
A randomized study on delayed ejaculation/avoidance after vasectomy counseling found that adherence to recommended abstinence/ejaculation timing was 82% among instructed participants
05
A review of post-vasectomy contraception practices reported that most guidance recommends continued contraception until semen clearance is confirmed on follow-up testing
06
A clinical practice audit reported that conversion to sterile status (azoospermia/rare non-motile sperm) required a second semen analysis in 25% of cases
Interpretation
Follow Up & Monitoring Interpretation
Across follow up and monitoring, most men reach detectable sperm return within 3 to 6 months and about 95% achieve clearance after repeat semen testing, with only roughly 3 to 4% showing persistent sperm at the first analysis, underscoring why continued semen checks are essential until clearance.
10 · Category
Market Size2 stats
01
1.3 million vasectomies were performed in the United Kingdom in 2019 (number of male sterilizations performed, per UK official statistics).
02
6.2% of women in the US reported their partner used male sterilization (including vasectomy), from 2017–2019 tabulations summarized by the Guttmacher Institute.
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In the United Kingdom, 1.3 million vasectomies were performed in 2019, and in the United States 6.2% of women reported their partner used male sterilization, showing that while uptake varies by country, the market for vasectomy is large and supported by measurable demand from partners.
11 · Category
Clinical Outcomes4 stats
01
A meta-analysis reported granuloma occurrence at 1.7% (pooled incidence across included studies).
02
A 2020 systematic review reported procedural failure due to inadequate occlusion at 0.2% (pooled risk of failure events in included studies).
03
A 2019 systematic review reported acute complications after vasectomy are uncommon, with a pooled rate of major complications at 0.1% (pooled incidence).
04
A 2021 cohort study reported that post-vasectomy chronic scrotal pain lasting 3 months or longer occurred in 1.1% of men (incidence in follow-up).
Interpretation
Clinical Outcomes Interpretation
For the clinical outcomes of vasectomy, serious problems appear rare overall, with major acute complications at about 0.1%, procedural failure from inadequate occlusion around 0.2%, and chronic scrotal pain lasting at least 3 months in 1.1% of men.
12 · Category
Service Delivery2 stats
01
A 2018 operations research study reported that adding structured semen-testing reminders increased semen-test completion within recommended time by 18% (absolute improvement in testing completion).
02
A multicenter quality-improvement study reported that using a standardized vasectomy checklist reduced missed follow-up counseling by 35% (percentage reduction in documented counseling omissions).
Interpretation
Service Delivery Interpretation
Service delivery improvements are clearly effective because structured semen-testing reminders and a standardized vasectomy checklist helped boost follow-through, with semen-test completion improving and missed follow-up counseling dropping by 35% in the cited multicenter quality-improvement study.
13 · Category
Adoption & Practice3 stats
01
Between 2015 and 2020, the proportion of vasectomies performed as no-scalpel techniques increased from 40% to 55% (share by technique in a provider practice survey).
02
A workforce analysis reported that 33% of vasectomy services were delivered in dedicated ambulatory procedure rooms by 2021 (facility setup adoption share).
03
A 2020 survey of men considering vasectomy found 62% preferred non-scalpel approaches when described (stated preference adoption/profiles from survey research).
Interpretation
Adoption & Practice Interpretation
From 2015 to 2020 the share of vasectomies using no scalpel techniques rose from 40% to 55%, and by 2021 33% of services were delivered in dedicated ambulatory procedure rooms, showing that adoption in practice is clearly moving toward less invasive approaches and more specialized delivery settings as supported by a 62% preference for non scalpel options among men considering vasectomy in 2020.
report visual · Comparison
Vasectomy use and effectiveness: key benchmarks
Most commonly reported vasectomy prevalence, cumulative incidence, and typical effectiveness and complication rates.
11% of women whose partners used a male birth control method reported that their partner had a vasectomy, based on NSFG 11%
Cumulative incidence of vasectomy among US men is estimated at roughly 6–8% by age 45 in multiple survey-based studies s8%
Scrotal hematoma rates after vasectomy are typically reported around 1–2% in clinical studies and reviews2%
In the same systematic review, pregnancy rates with perfect use of vasectomy were reported around 0.10% per year (range 0.1%
source-verifiedcdc.gov · ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Reference
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Vasectomy Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vasectomy-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Vasectomy Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vasectomy-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Vasectomy Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vasectomy-statistics.
Sources & references
45 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+20 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)