Vasectomy and prostate cancer risk: What you should know
June 26, 2025
Medically Reviewed | Last reviewed by Weiva Sieh, M.D., Ph.D., and Run Wang, M.D., on June 26, 2025
A vasectomy is a minimally invasive procedure done in males as a form of permanent birth control. During the procedure, the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm) are cut and sealed. This prevents any sperm from entering the semen during sexual intercourse, thereby preventing pregnancy.
Although widely considered a safe procedure, there have been concerns over the years about whether having a vasectomy increases your risk for prostate cancer. We spoke with epidemiologist Weiva Sieh, M.D., Ph.D., and urologist Run Wang, M.D., to learn more.
Does a vasectomy increase your risk for prostate cancer?
Past studies have yielded inconsistent results on this question. Some studies do not show any link between vasectomy and prostate cancer; other studies find a small association with prostate cancer risk but not with prostate cancer mortality. Of the studies that have shown a link between vasectomy and prostate cancer, researchers have not found a clear causal association between the two.
In other words, there is no proof that any prostate cancer diagnosis was caused by a man having a vasectomy.
PSA screening plays a role
Much of the discrepancy stems from the fact that many studies don’t account for factors like prostate cancer screening, explains Sieh. She points to a Nature article that addresses this point.
The article reviews studies of whether vasectomy is a risk factor for prostate cancer. The authors note that men who have vasectomies often have closer prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings and medical follow-ups. And PSA screening is strongly and positively associated with overall prostate cancer diagnosis, which inflates the relative risk estimate.
“Prostate cancer screening is the big confounding factor here because men who have more access to health care are more likely to get a vasectomy and also are more likely to get screened for prostate cancer,” says Sieh. “This can increase prostate cancer diagnoses.”
Additionally, authors say that relatively little is known about vasectomy and prostate cancer among men who are at high risk for the disease.
“Even among studies that find an association between vasectomy and prostate cancer, the size of the association tends to be very small,” says Sieh. “This suggests that the small excess risk could easily be explained by residual confounding – essentially, just other factors that are not fully accounted for in the analysis.”
Key Takeaways
- A vasectomy is done in males as a form of permanent birth control.
- Most vasectomies are done in clinic while you are under local anesthesia.
- Researchers have not found a clear causal link between vasectomy and prostate cancer.
Can a vasectomy cause a high PSA?
Wang says if you check PSA levels soon after a vasectomy, they may be elevated or even fluctuate. But it’s pretty unlikely.
“Most research out there does not show that vasectomy will increase PSA levels long term,” he says. “Most of our patients who get a vasectomy are young – in their 20s, 30s and sometimes 40s. So, most of them wouldn’t have their PSA levels checked anyway based on the current prostate cancer screening guidelines.”
Are vasectomies safe?
About 500,000 vasectomies are performed in the U.S. each year, mostly by urologists.
“Vasectomies are minimally invasive procedures and considered very safe,” says Wang, who’s performed more than 5,000 vasectomies during his career. “We perform 99.9% of vasectomies in the clinic with patients under local anesthesia.”
What are the risks associated with vasectomies?
There is always a chance of side effects after every surgical procedure. Risks after a vasectomy include:
- Bleeding: Sometimes bleeding after the procedure can cause a large hematoma to form in the scrotum.
- Infection at the wound: Infection is very rare and only happens in about 1% to 2% of cases.
- Chronic pain: Usually, any pain will go away within about six months after a vasectomy. In rare instances where the pain does not go away and affects your quality of life, we can do a vasectomy reversal to relieve the pain.
Talk to your doctor immediately if you have any side effects after a vasectomy. They can determine the cause and treat the issue.
How can you decrease your risk of prostate cancer?
There is no way to completely prevent prostate cancer. But there are things you can do to lower your risk of prostate cancer.
- Eat a healthy diet. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, eat less red meat and processed meat and limit fatty foods.
- Exercise. It’s recommended to have at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Talk to your doctor about what a healthy weight looks like for you.
- Tell your doctor about any supplements you take. Some supplements can decrease your PSA level.
What else should men know about vasectomy and prostate cancer?
There are many reasons why you may choose to have a vasectomy, such as financial concerns, genetic conditions you don’t want to pass down to your children or the health of your partner.
“This is a decision that we absolutely encourage men to make with their partner if they have one because it will affect them both,” says Wang. “Make sure your doctor discusses the benefits and risks of the procedure with you. We currently don’t have evidence that shows vasectomy causes prostate cancer. We consider this procedure very safe.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.
Vasectomies are minimally invasive procedures and considered very safe.
Run Wang, M.D.
Physician