|
|
Vasectomy: The Permanent Sterilization for Men Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure for a man that serves as a birth control. It is an operation that causes permanent sterilization. The procedure is done by cutting and closing of the vas deferens tubes. About 500,000 men in the United States undergo vasectomies annually. A vasectomy is less invasive than female sterilization, tubal ligation, and easier reversed. Vasectomy, free of knowing long term effects, is thought to be considered the safest and most effective method of permanent male sterilization. Vasectomies have been around since the late 19th century. The first published study was done in London in 1830. It was first used as a method of controlling unwanted sections of society. These sections included delinquents, denigrates, drug habitués and idiots. This procedure first started to be regularly performed for the purpose of family planning in the U.S. in the 1940’s. It wasn’t until late 1960’s that it became common. The popularity of this procedure varies from country to country. New Zealand is the leading country with 23% of men and China and India have the lowest rate with 7-9%. It was found in a recent U.S. national survey that 12% of married men between 20-39 have had a vasectomy and of this 12% nearly a quarter falls in the 35-39 age group. About 50 million men have had a vasectomy worldwide. In order to understand a vasectomy, one should know about the male reproduction system and how it works. The structures of the testes produce sperm cells, and have testosterone producing organs. The testes are located at the base of the penis in a sac. The sperm is stored in the epididymis, which is a tube in each testicle. They are stored there for about six weeks while they are maturing. The sperm transports their selves through the vas deferens, to the prostate gland. This is where the sperm joins seminal fluid from the prostate, semen, and are exited through the urethra. After a vasectomy one will still ejaculate but it doesn’t contain any sperm, since sperm only consists of 2-5% of semen. After a vasectomy the sperm are dissolved and absorbed into the body. Sperm is just like any other dead or unused cells that are in the human body. Fifty percent of men that had vasectomies develop antibodies to sperm. These antibodies will not affect your health but they reduce the chance of fertility if the procedure is reversed. Vasectomy is routinely performed with a local anesthetic as a day case, with no need for an overnight stay in a hospital. A general anesthetic, which puts the person to sleep, may be given but is very uncommon. There is no need for the man to go without food and drink if a local anesthetic is used.
|
