Surgical sterilization is available in the form of tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men.[1] There are no significant long term side effects, and tubal ligation decreases the risk of ovarian cancer.[2] Short term complications are twenty times less likely from a vasectomy than a tubal ligation.[2][72] After a vasectomy, there may be swelling and pain of the scrotum which usually resolves in one or two weeks.[73] With tubal ligation, complications occur in 1 to 2 percent of procedures with serious complications usually due to the anesthesia.[74] Neither method offers protection from sexually transmitted infections.[2]