It is fast, virtually painless and takes a heavy toll on women – it is not surprising that more and more men are choosing to get the seizure, and especially so during a pandemic coronavirus infection.
Brisbane violin teacher Paul Redfern says he and his wife Megan had no doubts about having a vasectomy after they had their second child.
“Vasectomies equals carefree sex-time in the world,” he said, explaining his favorite perk of getting caught.
“My wife and I had always expected there to be no more than two babies. We weren’t really talking about alternatives. Vasectomy felt easier than either of us having birth control or my wife tying her tubes. “
Vasectomy is an easy option for birth control. Not much fuss involved.
The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes under local anesthetic.
In most cases patients can drive themselves to and from the appointment point. A referral from a GP is not required (although it is always wise to talk to your doctor first to make sure this is the right choice for you).
After that, you will be asked to bring ice to the area and stay off your feet for two days.
There may be some pain or discomfort for two to four weeks afterwards.
Shaking the area yourself beforehand is probably the most poignant part.
Paul says he was only a little worried beforehand – and that the approach itself was unclear.
“I was a little scared except for the day. The doctor’s surgery had a testimonial from other spies who had a vasectomy, which helped a lot,” he says.
“It was mostly good. I felt a feeling of pain at first, and then the doctor gave me more anesthetic. Having said that, I was on the edge for the rest of the procedure. But he was not hurt after the first twinge. “
Nathanael Sheehan from the Queensland Vasectomy clinic says that the most common misconception men have is that the vasectomy is going to be extremely painful, or there is a small chance that they could be incompetent.
“It is physically impossible for a vasectomy to affect libido or performance but I believe it can have a psychological effect on it,” he says.
“Most men take some ibuprofen and paracetamol for a few days. About 25 percent of men do not take pain relief at all.
“About 5 per cent of men have a delayed inflammatory response and take anti-inflammatories for a week or two.
Surge in procedures during COVID-19
Dr Sheehan says the period from March where Australia has been struggling to get to the surface of the pandemic coronavirus has been so busy in its course.
He performs 14 procedures per day and has been maintained for months.
“I’ve noticed a 50 percent increase in vasectomies over the last six months. We’ve been smooth with additional sessions trying to see everyone,” he says.
He says locks have made many couples realize that they are “at the lowest level” with their children.
“I also think some of the men had wanted a vasectomy for a while but found it difficult to plan time with work and other commitments. “
Deborah Bateman, NSW’s director of Family Health medicine, has also seen an increase in men receiving vasectomies.
“Maybe this is because couples have been at home more and have had more time to talk about it – to talk through the options available and maybe look into vasectomies. a little bit, “she says.
“Families have been isolated and may have been locked up with their children and had the opportunity to speak to their partners and seek information.
“And they realize that it’s a great option for many men.
“A lot of people are economically stressed too, and it’s a very cost-effective prevention method, when you compare it to spending money on the pill, or buying condoms, for example.
“There’s even an environmental side, because it’s a long-term method, you don’t create all this waste through a pill or condom package.”
Paul thinks he can explain the uptick.
“Have you ever spent six weeks with babies? It’s enough to scare you kids forever.”
How do vasectomies work?
Vasectomy blocks the vascular protective tubes, which carry sperm to the testes – preventing that sperm from entering semen during ejaculation.
The sperm and testosterone are excreted in the testes, but the sperm cannot get out.
When they die, they are reabsorbed into the body (a process that occurs with sperm that was not used even before vasectomy).
Vasectomy does not affect sex drive, sexual function or performance – and since sperm contain only a small percentage of ejaculate, there is no significant difference in volume.
Of course the only thing that stops it is the pregnant part of a child. This is the most effective form of contraception.
Dr Bateman says he should be on the table for everyone.
“I would recommend it to all men, as long as they understand that it may be a form of permanent contraception,” she says.
“It is something for men to talk to their partners, and decide if it is time for them to take that responsibility.
“There are pros and cons, as with all other forms of contraception – it is important to note that reversal is not guaranteed to work – but it is certainly a debate that it should be there. “
We need to talk about it more
Australia has the second highest rate of vasectomies in the world, after New Zealand, with one in four men over 40 having it.
But Dr Bateman says there is still no talk about how widespread it should be.
“The idea should be raised once a couple, or a man, has decided they don’t want more children,” she says.
For some men there is still stigma around talking about their parts, or sex life – and a lack of knowledge can make vasectomies look more frightening than they really are.
“Men can feel anxious about the approach. It’s often stuff that men don’t talk about,” she says.
“There can be hidden worries, like thinking that it will affect their sex life, or in some way their libido will drop. It can be embarrassing for some people because it involves their genitals. “
Dr. Bateman says especially in regional areas, many men do not see vasectomies as an option because they do not understand how easy it is.
“Raising awareness of vasectomies as a contraceptive option would go a long way to reducing many of the fears and misconceptions that people have,” she says.
“Especially when you understand what a quick and simple procedure it is. And it has no effect on libido, sexuality or ejaculation.”
She says vasectomies need to be something that has been built into the public consciousness so that everyone is aware that it is part of that set of options when it comes to contraception.
“The big thing that men and women need to understand is that contraception should be a universal duty. It ‘s not just up to women to think,” she says.
“Standards are very high in Australia. And it’s going up. So hopefully those conversations are becoming more frequent, and it’s becoming more normal.”
‘We’ll get the men the best part of the deal’
Dr Sheehan agrees that men need to take steps to remove the burden of contraception from women.
“I think we really disrespect ourselves by not talking about vasectomies.
“For almost everyone, it’s a bit of a no-brainer. But that doesn’t make for a funny story.
“As a result, people will only hear horrible stories about a cousin’s uncle from the 1970s who couldn’t walk.
“Every day I see someone who has been putting off a vasectomy for 10 years. They end up picking it up in the heads and freeing themselves.
“We would be better off considering the many unplanned pregnancies that women have to bear or the additional burden of women taking hormones or injections longer than they should. for them.
“I think our men will get the best part of the agreement. Vasectomy is the least we can do.”
Paul says he has been a vasectomy evangelist since it was performed.
“It’s given me to talk about it in public with anyone who listens. He always gets a laugh if nothing else.”