Vasectomy. Subjective and objective reactions
Gram, I.T.; Molne, K.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 106(19-21): 1578-1580
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 3764836 Document Number: 359164
The 1st follow-up study on vasectomy ever conducted in Norway involved 22 men who were patients at the Urological Clinic in Troms during a 6 month period in 1980. The average age at time of the procedure was 40.8, with the youngest 29 and the oldest 51. The men were all married or living with a woman in a longterm relationship. The goal of the study was to determine subjective and objective reactions to their vasectomies. An effort was made to ascertain: 1) the reasons for the choice of vasectomy as a form of contraception, 2) how long it took for azoospermia (no sperm cells) to occur following the operation, 3) if there were any postoperative complications, 4) presence of sperm antibodies in blood, 5) if any hormonal changes occurred, 6) if any changes appeared in one's sex life. The men were 1st given a sperm-count test 4 weeks after the operation, and post-operative blood tests were taken 6 months after the sterilization. Routine hormone analyses were conducted at the hormone laboratory in Oslo. Questionnaires concerning motivations for the surgery, resulting complications, sexual life, etc. were sent out around 6 months after the operation. Results showed that all patients had azoospermia after 12 weeks. Around half had azoospermia after only 4 weeks. 20/22 subjects reported not having to take any sick leave from work after the operation, except for the day of the operation. Neither of the 2 who did have to take sick leave were away from work for more than 3 days. There was no significant difference in hormone levels before and after the vasectomies. 14 patients had no complaints of postoperative discomfort. 5 had stinging for around a week, and 3 had inflammation. The main reason for selecting vasectomy as a contraceptive method for 11 of 18 men was that it was "the surest method." The same proportion stated having considered with their wives that sterilization of 1 partner was the desired method, and that the procedure was simpler for the man. 3 subjects reported frequency of intercourse had increased after their vasectomy, while the other 15 who filled out the questionnaire believed they had experienced no change. None of the men thought they felt any decrease in sexual drive or potency, while 1 said he thought these had increased. None of the men thought the operation had had any negative effects on their relationship with their partner. Results of the study confirmed with others in indicating that high motivation and availability of accurate information are important factors in obtaining positive subjective feelings after vasectomy.