Vasectomies on the Rise

THV Healthy Difference for Men at 6:30: Vasectomies on the Rise - todaysthv.com | KTHV | Little Rock, AR

The economy may be down, but the number of men requesting vasectomies is not.

According to one report, some urologists report a near doubling of vasectomy requests since the economic crisis began.

A decreased desire to have children because of the expense involved is one reason. Another reason urologists have seen an increase is many men reportedly want to get the procedure done before their jobs and health insurance disappear.

'We can't afford to have any more children in this economy.' My perception is that it's more of the concept of raising children in an uncertain economic future."

Losing jobs mean losing income, making it difficult to raise the family you already have. But it also means losing health insurance, another possible reason that dads are turning to vasectomies. "I can't count on my hands, in the last three months, the number of times someone has said they're about to lose their insurance and ask to squeeze them in," Dr. Bryan Kansas told CNN.

Even without insurance, a vasectomy is a cost-effective permanent birth control method. At $500 to $1000, it adds up to significantly less than other forms of contraception a person might use during their remaining childbearing years. Birth control pills run $20 to $50 a month -- or $12,000 over the course of 20 years. The average cost of condoms would vary by brand and frequency, of course, but at a box a month, a 20-year supply would cost about $2,800.




The drawback of a vasectomy, besides the pain and suffering (which my husband says I did not factor in to the above estimates), is that it's permanent. Reversals are expensive and have a 50 percent success rate. So parents who aren't 100 percent sure their family is complete might want to stick with a method that will leave them options when the economy finally rebounds.If you're thinking that at some point in the future, you may want children, then you might want to look at another form of birth control.

There are a few drawbacks. Firstly, there's a small chance that the vasa deferentia could grow back. Also while a vasectomy is a dependable method of birth control, it will not protect you against STDs.

Some experts believe a vasectomy could increase a man's chances for heart disease, osteoporosis, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Some complications after the procedure could include inflammation, scrotal pain, infection and possible bleeding within the scrotum.

A vasectomy is far cheaper than a tubal litigation for women.

A vasectomy might not be the best option for all men; it's important to discuss the procedure with your family practice physician or urologist.