By Ali Eaves

Getting snipped doesn’t make you less of a man—in fact, it could lead to more sex, new research from Stanford University suggests.

Vasectomized men get laid an average of 5.9 times per month, compared to 4.9 times for intact guys, according to the survey of nearly 6,000 men.

Couples may be quicker to jump in bed when they don’t have to worry about contraception, says study author David Guo, M.D.

Still, plenty of guys worry that sharp objects near their testicles could harm their sexual function. Here’s why you don’t need to fret:

When a doctor performs a vasectomy, he makes a small incision on your scrotum, pulls out your vas deferens, and blocks off the pathway that carries your sperm from your testicle to your urethra.

It takes about 20 minutes, Dr. Guo says. You’ll be sore for a couple of days, but it’s less painful than stubbing your toe, according to a Men’s Health editor who has had the procedure.

You’ll be able to have sex again in two weeks, according to Dr. Guo.

After the procedure, your sperm—which are still produced in your testicles—can no longer travel to your urethra and be ejaculated. Instead, your swimmers get reabsorbed by your body, says Dr. Guo.

You’ll still ejaculate, of course. Your semen will consist of fluid from your prostate and seminal vesicle, as usual—just minus the sperm.

There’s no noticeable difference in volume, Dr. Guo says.

The surgical instruments don’t go anywhere near the nerves that are responsible for your erection, your pleasure, or your orgasm, he says.

Your libido is safe, too. Testosterone is what drives your desire, and the hormone—which is produced in your testicles—is completely unaffected by the procedure