Khloé Kardashian convinced her ex to get a vasectomy. What is it?

Khloé Kardashian and her ex Tristan Thompson are opening up about his vasectomy, a surgical procedure for contraception.

During an episode of her "Khloé in Wonder Land" podcast on Thursday, the reality star asked him about future kids.

"I think I signed off for two embryos," Thompson said. "So, I mean, if I do have more kids, it'd be coming from you. I already have enough baby moms. I don't want no more."

"And who helped you fix that decision? That was me," Kardashian said, explaining she's the one who convinced Thompson to get a vasectomy.

Thompson has four children, two he shares with Kardashian and two others with two different women.

What is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a type of birth control that "prevents the penis from releasing sperm in fluid called semen during sex," Mayo Clinic explains.

The surgery is minor and involves a surgeon cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm, the clinic adds.

"Most often, the surgery is done with medicine called a local anesthetic. That means you stay awake and have medicine to numb the surgery area," Mayo Clinic notes. "You'll most likely go home the same day as the surgery."

Of his own experience, Thompson said it only took about 15 minutes. "I tell guys it's very quick," he said, saying he remembers going home shortly after.

Vasectomies are also common in the United States, with more than 500,000 people getting one every year, according to Cleveland Clinic.

How effective are vasectomies?

While the only way to absolutely avoid pregnancy is to not have heterosexual intercourse, Cleveland Clinic notes, vasectomies are "very effective at preventing pregnancies" with failure rates lower than any other form of birth control.

Despite misconceptions, a vasectomy does not affect someone's sex drive, ability to get an erection or ability to ejaculate, the clinic says.

A vasectomy also does not protect you from getting or spreading sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, the clinic adds.

Can you reverse a vasectomy?

A vasectomy reversal is an option, Cleveland Clinic explains. Others may also opt to freeze their sperm before a vasectomy in case they want a biological child in the future without undergoing a reversal.

Kardashian shared Thompson decided to have his sperm saved before the procedure but also noted he could reverse it in the future.

"No. I'm not, no. I'm not laying down on that table again," Thompson said of a reversal.

Vasectomy risks

While the procedure is considered low-risk, like any surgery, complications may include inflammation, bleeding or infection, Cleveland Clinic explains.

Other minor risks include scrotum congestion (a sense of discomfort or pressure that usually resolves over time) and sperm granuloma (a non-dangerous lump that the body usually absorbs) and pain, the clinic adds.

Serious, ongoing pain is rare and only happens for 1% to 2% of people who have a vasectomy, according to Mayo Clinic.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Khloé Kardashian convinced her ex to get a vasectomy. What is it?

Reporting by Sara Moniuszko, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 12:21 PM.