So which would you go for?

The Mrs and I were having this discussion based on some of the lifestyle choices of some of our friends.

Both have advantages and disadvantages, both physical and psychological. Historically it has always fallen on the woman to “take care” of contraception, primarily because men are a bunch of untrustworthy *ahem*chaps who only want to sow their seeds – or, so the popular myth goes. But vasectomy gives men the chance to take control, although be sterile.

With tubal ligation there’s some evidence to suggest that there can be nasty side effects akin to menopause, but is more reversible than vasectomy should this be needed.

Another line of thought is that men might wander a little more knowing that they are shooting blanks. Would you trust your man knowing that he’s not going to have any accidents?

The floor is open for discussion...

When will they release the birth control pill for men already?? lol

I think a vasectomy seems to be less invasive so my vote goes there

Go for both and then double up in the bagging domain. Avoid any heavy petting and avoid all contact with members of the opposite sex, including all media or printed material. Contact your local carpenter for an oak chastity belt, and then throw away the iron key, just to be extra safe. Contraception has never been that effective.

You forgot this:

All men should be vasectomized at 45, to prevent these mid-life Frog Princes from spawning and giving women a break from the constant threat of becoming pregnant unwantingly.

Carlos: One snip and you'll make women in your life happier, thus making your life happier too.

I had a vasectomy for 12 years and have had two children since the reversal. Unfortunately the Munich surgeon died, but he did a good job.

reminds me of a posting on another site about the subject.....

http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/general-di...ink-twice.html

i like posts 2 and 24

I don't think it's correct that a tubal ligation is more reversible than a vasectomy - I was told the opposite, but you should not consider either of them 'reversible' as there is no guarantee.

Tubal ligation is a much more serious medical procedure. Vasectomy is a 'walk in - walk out' procedure.

From the few women that I know who had tubal ligations done, they had other things done at the same time (hysterectomy, internal surgery of some other sort, or a tummy tuck).... and the only other one I know was pressured into it by her (now-ex) husband - he was much older, and it was a fairly calculated decision by him to make sure she couldn't easily have more kids with other men (therefore 'diluting' his own offspring's inheritance)... and because quite frankly, he's a wuss who can't handle the thought of having any sort of medical procedure...

you forgot putting on a little pink ribbon, so that the females go "yöö" and then you lose it anyway. I reckon that's the safest. Just my suggestion am sure...

Agree that the vasectomy is the easier factor, by miles, and that it is 'walk-in - walk out', but make sure the walking out is done before the anaesthetic wears off and do very little for a couple of days. We chose this option.

After having 2 normal births, it was my husband's turn to endure some 'pain'. It was cheaper and like Swisspea said- he was in and out within and hour.

That. Tubal ligation is considered major surgery requiring general anesthesia. After my recent GA, there is no way I'm doing any of that stuff again unless there are no other options. And considering that vasecotmy is a simple walk-in procedure, there are other options to achieve the desired outcome.

Neither, one shouldn't mess with a healthy body in my opinion.

But that would also mean you stay away from hormonal contraceptives.

That would be the best but at least the hormones are neither an invasive treatment nor irreversible. Using surgery as a method of birth control is overkill to me and also brings your body out of it's hormonal balance.

I have the "don't mess with things that aren't broken" attitude but who knows how I'm thinking about tubal ligation vs vasectomy in 15-20 years.

Basically I agree with that attitude but I think taking hormones for all your time of fertility is not very healthy either.

True, I guess it comes down to a choice of what's the lesser evil to you personally.

Bolllocks does it.

I had the snip 14 years ago, and my hormonal balance is prefectly fine, so that proves it.

Coming back to the original question, since I am still trying to become pregnant again, neither of the two is on the table now. However, if I had decided never to want any more children for myself, I would go for a tubal ligation. You never know what happens, and maybe your OH finds a new love and wants to have children - why should I ask him to have a vasectomy when it is my personal decision not to have any more children?