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Who is This For?
Be informed and discuss all your options with your spouse
and your physician.
Making a permanent decision.
When your family nest is full, or you have chosen
not to father a child, vasectomy offers a permanent, safe, and worry-free
choice in birth control. But is vasectomy for every man or every couple?
There are some general ground rules to consider first,
as well as emotional and family concerns to discuss with your partner and physician.
While the law may not require that you have the consent of your wife or partner,
vasectomy or any contraceptive choice is best discussed and decided as a couple.
It is not uncommon to require waiting periods for patients prior to vasectomy
surgery so that you’re confident in your decision.
A serious decision not to be made lightly or alone.
Couples should first explore all birth control methods
available—both the positive and negative aspects—and discuss
their feelings and thoughts about each, before sharing their concerns
and choice with a doctor.
Vasectomy is a long-term, low-cost choice for contraception
and should be considered permanent. It removes risk and uncertainty of
unintended pregnancy, just as tubal ligation does, but without the additional
cost, possible hospitalization and surgical time to the woman. And vasectomy
does not pose the danger to men that other contraceptive methods may pose
for women.
On the other hand, things change. You should be absolutely
certain that you do not want to father a child later under any circumstances,
even if there are significant changes in your future. While a vasectomy can
sometimes be reversed, you should assume that it might not be possible to change
your mind later.
Are there some men who should NOT have a vasectomy?
Frankly, yes. You may regret having the procedure if you are too young
at the time of your decision. Generally, there is no minimum age requirement
except that you must be an adult. Common sense, however, suggests that
"older is wiser."
Men under the age of 25… or those who divorce
young and remarry…or those who have the procedure immediately after
the birth of a child… can come to regret the decision made too early
in their lives. And regardless of the man’s age, if the female partner
is under the age of 25, couples may become dissatisfied with the decision.
Also, the decision to have a vasectomy should not
be made based strictly on financial considerations. Your family income
or circumstances may change and permit you to expand your family in subsequent
years.
What about emotional considerations?
Experience suggests that you should not get a vasectomy
to please someone else. The decision to father a child is yours—and
your partner’s—and no one else’s.
If you have concerns about the stability of your
current relationship, or your decision not to father a child in the future,
a vasectomy may not be right for you at this time.
If you and your partner are experiencing sexual
problems, fears, an unhappy relationship or just having difficulty communicating
with each other about birth control options, it may not be a good time
to decide about a vasectomy.
Vasectomy will not solve marital or sexual problems.
But it can help you enjoy sexual relations more—free from the fear
of unwanted pregnancy. And it can the right choice if the female partner
does not want or cannot take birth control pills or use other forms of
contraception.
Who are the best candidates for vasectomy?
Because this is a personal decision, there are no
absolute rules, and the best answer lies in being informed. However, here
are some suggestions to consider as to who is a good candidate:
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Men and their partners over the age of 25, who are seriously committed
to not having more children now, or in the future.
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Men for whom other forms of contraception are not safe alternatives
for themselves or their spouse.
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Men who want to enjoy sex without the fear of unwanted pregnancy.
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Men who do not feel ‘forced’ into this decision by others
or financial circumstances.
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Men who want to take the responsibility of contraception.
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Men who are concerned about passing on a genetic disease or hereditary
disability.
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Before making a decision, discuss these and all related issues with
your spouse, and seek the advice of your physician.
In Summary:
- A vasectomy should be considered permanent, so consider your decision
fully and carefully.
- Be informed and discuss all your options with your spouse and your
physician.
- Some men (or couples) may not be well suited for a vasectomy, particularly
if either partner is under the age of 25.
- Short-term, temporary or changing circumstances may not be good reasons
to consider a long-term or permanent procedure.
- A range of contraceptive methods provides couples with a variety of alternatives
worth considering.
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