Vasectomy and arteriosclerosis: are they related?
Puyol, M.; Menéndez, V.; Gómez, J.
Actas Urologicas Espanolas 21(6): 609-613
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0210-4806 PMID: 9412195 Document Number: 282272
103 men who underwent elective vasectomy between October 1991 and October 1992 at the Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona participated in a study to determine whether plasma lipoprotein concentrations, blood pressure, and body mass index showed alterations from the prevasectomy state 3 months after the procedure. The preoperative physical examination included questions about risk factors for arteriosclerosis, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, and exercise. The average age of the men was 38 years. The only study variable showing significant alteration after 3 months was the body mass index, which increased by 1.2%. Total cholesterol declined by 2.1%, triglycerides by 22.1%, and HDL cholesterol by 3.2%, while LDL cholesterol increased by 0.5%; the changes were not significant. The study results do not support the theory that vasectomy constitutes a risk factor for arteriosclerosis, at least in the short run.