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Sterilization: Pros and cons
By Mayo Clinic staffSterilization provides permanent birth control. This may be desirable if you don't want to have children, but it's difficult to reverse if you later change your mind. To help you decide if sterilization is right for you, keep the following points in mind:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It doesn't interfere with the enjoyment of sex. | There may be temporary pain and discomfort following the surgical procedure. |
| Side effects are minimal. | Neither Essure nor a vasectomy provides immediate contraception. |
| Both Essure and a vasectomy are outpatient procedures with relatively short recovery times. | Sterilization offers no protection against STDs, including HIV. |
