A vasectomy will not 'unman' you

By Baguma Bbala

Time and again, we are bombarded with campaigns telling us to have smaller families, because they are easier to manage.

This, then raises the question of contraception of which there are several forms, including using condoms or getting a vasectomy done.

Dr. Patrick Kagurusi Tumusiime, the programme officer of Family Planning & Reproductive Health, defines a vasectomy as a surgical process used as a permanent method of contraception for men.

The process involves blocking the tubes through which sperm passes into the semen. And since an egg cannot be fertilized without sperm, a woman who has sex with a man who has had a vasectomy, cannot conceive. The male body continues producing sperm but because it is not released, the sperm is eventually absorbed into the body.

A vasectomy should not be confused with castration, which is the surgical removal of the testicles. With vasectomy, a man can have sex normally and even ejaculate.

Victoria Nangonzi, a nurse and dispenser at Vines pharmaceuticals, says a vasectomy is suitable for men who are sure that they do not want to have any more children.

Because of this, doctors usually provide for a grace period of more than a month for the man to really think about the decision he is about to make.

Moses Chebet, a mental health nurse explains that before one considers going for a vasectomy, he should think of his age and future. He also advises that a man should talk about it with his partner and come to an agreement before going for counseling and eventually signing a consent form.

Chebet disclosed that 99% of men who go for vasectomies have successful operations. But according to www.webmd.com, during the first year after a vasectomy, there is a slight chance (about 0.25%) that a man can make a woman pregnant. This is mainly because the tubes have not yet permanently been sealed.

Tony Kalejja, a pharmacist explains that the procedure takes between 20 and 30 minutes, and it takes about four weeks for a man to heal and start having sex.

However, it is advisable for one to go for regular check-ups to ensure that the tubes have healed properly.

So if a man is not sure about whether or not he may want more children, a vasectomy is not an option.

What are the health risks?

Records show that vasectomies come with very low risks. However, in rare circumstances, there have been some cases where vasectomy has caused:

1. Internal bleeding, beneath the skin, whichmay cause a painful swelling around the lower abdomen.

2. Infection at the site of the incision, i.e the part of the body that was cut. But this can easily be treated with antibiotics.

3. Inflammation of the tubes which causes chronic pain.

4. If the process is not done well, pregnancy may still occur if the sperm seep throughfrom the testes. It is for this reason that men who have undergone vasectomy are advised to go for constant medical check ups to confirm that there is no sperm at all

in their semen.

5. If not done well, it can lead to erectiledysfunction.

Advantages of having a vasectomy
It is permanent so there is no need to worry about birth control.

If done well there should be no complication and a man should be able to have a normal, healthy sex life.

Disadvantage

Because it is a permanent method of contraception, the chances that the process can be reversed successfully are minimal, for the man who later decides he wants more children.


PLEASE NOTE: A vasectomy does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or HIV, like another form of contraception, such as the condom, helps prevent the spread of STDs.

Can it be reversed?

This is the main question asked by men before and after going for vasectomy. According to www.webmd.com, there have been attempts the world over to reverse vasectomies, but the success of such operations has been minimal. Success depends on how long ago the vasectomy was carried out and the fertility of the person. However, even when a vasectomy reversal is unsuccessful, a doctor has the option of directly extracting sperms from the testicles.

Carol Nabaweesi, a midwife at African Affordable Medicines, says, “when they cut that tube, it is unlikely that the process can be reversed. But with new technology, there is a minimal chance that such a man may be able to have children again.”

But, Dr. Patrick Kagurusi says until recently, vasectomies were believed to be irreversible. The reversal which is known as “vasovasostomy” is now possible in advanced fertility centres in the USA for individuals who had a vasectomy done not more than three years before.