The subject of birth control is an important one. More and more people are wanting to put off having children until they’re older. There are also many couples who decide they definitely don’t want children. And there are others who have their family already and don’t want it to extend any further. Whatever the situation in a family, all couples need to discuss and plan birth control.
There are many different options when it comes to birth control. But how much do the pills, intrauterine devices (IUD’s for short), condoms, diaphragms, and vasectomy cost? And what option is best for your family? The costs vary greatly as you can probably imagine. Over the counter products like condoms are obviously a lot cheaper but they are also a regular expense. Having a vasectomy is more expensive, but if a couple are planning on not having any kids, or no more kids at least, then this is a popular option. No more trips to the pharmacy or trips to the doctor’s office for regular injections or more pills. I can see the appeal. But then I’m not a man! Tubal ligation is another option, but this is much more costly. For example, a vasectomy can cost between $300 and $3000 whereas tubal ligation could cost up to $6,000. So a vasectomy is definitely a more affordable option. Tubal ligation involves more anaesthetic which drives up the price.
If you were to consider a vasectomy or tubal ligation, both options should be considered with the view that they are permanent. If you think that in the future you may want to have children, even if there is a little bit of nagging doubt on the subject, then this isn’t really the option to go for just yet. I’m sure you’ve heard that both procedures are reversible which may be true but it’s risky and not always a success.
Looking at the procedures from a safety point of view, a vasectomy is much safer. The actual procedure is safer because no anaesthetic or incisions are made, whereas both anaesthetic and incisions with a scalpel are made for the tubal ligation. There are also more risks involved after the procedure with tubal ligation. There is a greater risk of ectopic pregnancy. The main risks with a vasectomy are swelling and bruising and possibly an infection.
So there is a lot to consider and discuss regarding birth control to find out what works for you and your family.
