Surgical sterilization is when a man or woman has surgery to change their reproductive system so that the woman can never get pregnant or that the man can never make a woman pregnant. The operation for men is called a vasectomy and women get a tubal ligation.

When a man gets a vasectomy, the tubes that carry sperm (known as "vas deferens") are cut and tied off, blocking any sperm from getting into the semen he ejaculates. Without sperm, there can be no pregnancy. When a woman has a tubal ligation, her fallopian tubes are tied so that eggs can't go down the fallopian tube to meet with sperm. When sperm and egg cannot meet, there can be no pregnancy.

This is a permanent form of birth control. Once you do it, it's nearly impossible to change it back. That's why it is not an option for teens, who are too young to make such a lifelong decision. Usually, this method is used by men and women who are older and have decided they don't want any (more) children. If there are medical reasons why pregnancy might be dangerous, then this is a good option. Most surgical procedures are 100-percent effective.

Since these procedures are surgical, there's always risk of infections and side effects from medications. But men and women usually weigh these small risks against their need not to have any or any more children. After a vasectomy or a tubal ligation, a man or woman can return to their normal sex lives.

Vasectomy and tubal ligation can cost hundreds of dollars and an important thing to keep in mind is that neither of these procedures offers any protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

For more information, click on "Planned Parenthood."