Vasectomy...should he?!

Vasectomy...should he?

I know most men hate the thought, but how bad is the experience? My husband and I are considering it. In the end it is his call but I would like to know what he will go through.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is much less common than prostate cancer, accounting for approximately 1 percent of all cancers in American men. This type of cancer is most often found in men ages 15 to 35. A few studies have suggested a link between vasectomy and an increased risk of testicular cancer, but the evidence is inconsistent and the association in some studies may be due to factors other than vasectomy. It is also possible that the vasectomy procedure increases the rate at which an existing, but undetected, testicular cancer will progress. At this time, it is believed that there is either no association or a weak association between vasectomy and testicular cancer, although more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be reached.

Men concerned about prostate cancer or testicular cancer should talk to their doctor about the symptoms to watch for and an appropriate schedule for checkups.

References

Brawley OW, Knopf K, Thompson I. The epidemiology of prostate cancer part II: The risk factors. Seminars in Urologic Oncology 1998; 16(4):193–201.

Cox B, Sneyd MJ, Paul C, Delahunt B, Skegg DC. Vasectomy and risk of prostate cancer. Journal of the American Medical Association 2002; 287(23):3110–3115.

Dennis LK, Dawson DV, Resnick MI. Vasectomy and the risk of prostate cancer: A meta-analysis examining vasectomy status, age at vasectomy, and time since vasectomy. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases 2002; 5(3):193–203.

Lesko SM, Louik C, Vezina R, Rosenberg L, Shapiro S. Vasectomy and prostate cancer. Journal of Urology 1999; 161(6):1848–1852.

Lightfoot N, Kreigr N, Sass-Kortsak A, Purdham J, Buchan G. Prostate cancer risk. Medical history, sexual, and hormonal factors. Annals of Epidemiology 2000; 10(7):470.

Lynge E. Prostate cancer is not increased in men with vasectomy in Denmark. Journal of Urology 2002; 168(2):488–490.

National Cancer Institute. Defeating Prostate Cancer: Crucial Directions for Research: Report of the Prostate Cancer Progress Review Group. August 1998.

Schwingl PJ, Guess HA. Safety and effectiveness of vasectomy. Fertility and Sterility 2000; 73(5):923–936.

Stanford JL, Wicklund KG, McKnight B, Daling JR, Brawer MK. Vasectomy and risk of prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 1999; 8(10):881–886.

NOT too sure where your answerers are finding their ANSWERS, but they obviously are NOT looking into it at ALL.... now, as far as who goes through the most pain----A vasectomy is often performed right in the doctor's office, the guy is given a shot to numb the penis and then an incission is made and the tube inside is "cut and tied"... so that sperm cannot be released any more----the man will be SORE for a day or two which can be aided by the use of ICE PACKS---but in two days, he is back to normal usually. The WOMAN to have HER TUBES TIED has to be put into the hospital, given General anesthetic or a saddle block and then an incision is made through the belly and the flalobiean tubes are then cut and tied... the woman experiences GREAT pain do to stomach gases, and this pain from the surgery can last several days... there are greater RISKS in this surgery then there are in the vacectomy----first because of the anesthesia administered --there is a risk of DEATH to the woman...also infections seem to occur MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY in a woman having her tubes tied then in vasectomy surgery....although NEITHER surgical procedure has to be permanent any more---there is a MUCH GREATER RISK to a woman who goes in to reconnect her tubes then the risk for a man having his vasectomy reversed.