Sometimes called ‘male sterilisation’, vasectomy prevents pregnancy by cutting, tying or blocking the tubes that allow sperm to pass from the testicles and out of a man's body through the penis. Vasectomy needs a small surgical operation. This is now frequently done under local, rather than general, anaesthetic. Vasectomy offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections. 

Vasectomy is permanent and should only be considered by men who do not want to have any children in the future. It can be reversed but it doesn't always work and vasectomy reversal is not available on the NHS.