What is a vasectomy and why should you get one?
I have always wondered why many men are so invested in their ability to ejaculate and reproduce, even when the need for reproduction is no longer needed, and continued intercourse may be dangerous to their lives and health. I have heard one say he’d rather die because what else is there to live for?
However, that’s not the topic of discussion today. The topic is vasectomies and why many people- even women, are so horrified by the notion that their partners could undergo this nice little procedure and that would take care of all their family planning needs.
Some studies have tried to examine the uptake and perception of vasectomies. One of such studies showed that male sterilization (vasectomy) accounts for 10% or less of all sterilization procedures performed, with female sterilization being way more prevalent globally. A Nigerian study tried to assess the the uptake of vasectomies as opposed to other family planning methods, and vasectomies accounted for only 0.2%.
This data is not just data that is abstract. A random poll of men I have met, personally and in practice showed that many men were not willing to consider vasectomies as a viable family planning option even after family size is complete. In fact, many do not even know what exactly the procedure entails, whereas their female counterparts have been taught and drilled about various family planning methods or are already on one form of birth control or the other.
Ignorance can be said to be a reason for this, but is that really it? There’s regular ol' ignorance, and there’s ignorance which is perpetuated and sustained by much more complex issues. Issues such as the fact that since the woman is the biological carrier of the pregnancy, then the responsibility of family planning is up to her, hence we really can’t expect the male partner to be invested in it right? Issues such as the belief that it’s better for a woman to not be able to bear children again, than for a man to not ever be able to “score". Even though he doesn’t need the “goals" anymore, it’s just nice to still have the ability. Issues such as the fact that childbearing disproportionately affects women biologically, economically and socially and even if they didn’t make the children alone, they should bear sole responsibility and be prepared to do whatever it takes with little or no expectations from their male partners.
If it is indeed plain old ignorance and you’re reading this, here are a few fun facts about vasectomies:
- A vasectomy is minor procedure and only needs local anaesthesia hence ( i.e a small amour of numbing medicine just around the scrotal area). The cut or incision involved in the procedure is very tiny and barely noticeable, and the man can go home that same day.
- It involves snipping a tube called the vas deferens, which conveys sperm cells from the testes to be mixed with other fluids that form the ejaculate.
- After a vasectomy the man will still ejaculate and have a completely normal sexual experience. The only difference is that the semen contains no sperm cells that can get his partner pregnant. Actual sperm cells add very little to ejacualate volume or colour (sperm cells are microscopic haha) so the ejaculate looks the same as before.
- Vasectomies take about 3-6 months to kick in, as some sperm might already be in the duct reaching the rest of the semen. However, after this time interval, it is the most effective method of family planning, even over the female sterilization.
- The procedure is possibly reversible, but is a longer and more tedious procedure than the initial vasectomy. An option is to bank the sperm, an method which is very widely available.
- It is a simpler, faster, more effective and safer procedure with far fewer complications than the female sterilization. The pain is far less, the scar is much smaller, the resources needed in this procedure are much fewer and the complications very minimal.
Popularizing vasectomies would be of great public health value to be honest. But popularizing it goes beyond merely telling people what vasectomies are or how truly effective they are. Popularizing it would mean advocacy for the fact that birth control between two consenting sexual partners should be a shared responsibility, and they should choose the most effective method suited to their needs as a couple, that is not skewed towards one partner being expected to shoulder the entire responsibility.
Couples have the freedom to decide whatever family planning option works for them. However, vasectomies should be considered more often, and there should be an expectation from the male partners to also contribute more than lip service to the process of family planning. When presenting the options, the male sterilization should be discussed as thoroughly as female sterilization. Women should not feel strange, guilty or believe it’s taboo to expect their partner to take on this responsibility for the good of the family.
Global trends have shown that vasectomies are commoner among couples where the woman is empowered both economically and socially. In areas of lower income and more gender inequalities, the women would prefer to undergo sterilization than request this of their male partners. This shows that this issue is not only a matter of education and knowledge, but also a matter of closing gender disparities and female empowerment- both economically and socially.
I am not writing this to say every man should run along and get his tubes snipped. I am writing this to say that this should not be an unreasonable expectation. The female partner should be able to request for this option, and the man should be able to see it as a responsibility he can take up. As with any family planning method, this should be discussed between couples, however, the burden shouldn’t rest disproportionately on one partner to “sort it out". If a vasectomy will be the best and safest option for the couple, then they should be willing to take that option, breaking the cycle of women bearing heavier responsibility for family planning and pregnancy control.
