World Vasectomy Day 2014: 10 Facts About the Snip

World Vasectomy Day 2014 is being held to raise awareness of 'the snip' and encourage men to engage with family planning conversations.

Last year, co-founders Jonathan Stack and Dr Doug Stein launched the event and managed to get 100 doctors across 25 countries to perform 1,000 vasectomies over 24 hours.

Stein, who has performed over 30,000 vasectomies, said they created World Vasectomy Day because unplanned pregnancies are a huge strain on people's lives and cause massive social disruption across the US and the rest of the world.

"We believe that for men whose families are complete, a vasectomy is a great option," he said.

To mark this year's event, IBTimes UK looks at 10 facts about vasectomies.

1. Vasectomies are reversible – however it does not always work and the success rate falls to 25% 10 years after the procedure.

2. They are about 99% successful.

3. Men should continue to use contraception for eight weeks after having a vasectomy as sperm may remain in tubes afterwards.

4. After having a vasectomy, the semen will still come out when a man ejaculates – it just contains no sperm.

5. Mild pain, discomfort, swelling and bruising is normal for a few days after a vasectomy. Most men can return to work one or two days after the procedure.

6. Y-fronts or other tight fitting underwear can help to support the scrotum and ease and discomfort or swelling.

7. Having a vasectomy has no effect on sex drive or ability to enjoy sex.

8. Vasectomies are available to all men but surgeons are normally reluctant to perform the procedure on men under the age of 30 in case they change their mind at a later date.

9. Vasectomies do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

10. Men who have had a vasectomy continue to produce sperm, it is just blocked from being ejaculated.