 Second Thoughts about VasectomyA writer in a popular magazine said he looked forward to his vasectomy, but other, authoritative sources reveal many possible complications, a natural family planning organization asserts.
* * * THEY SAY: Writing for the August 2010 issue of Parents magazine, David Kushner jokes about organizing a Vegas getaway to recuperate from his planned vasectomy. With “two great kids, a wonderful wife, and a writing career,” Kushner “didn’t want anything to mess it up – like an unplanned pregnancy.” He looked forward to “more enjoyable sex, free from birth control intrusions and pregnancy fears.” Can a vasectomy really offer those guarantees? THE FACTS: NFPDoctors.org reports that approximately 500,000 vasectomies are performed each year – about 9 percent of couples use vasectomy as their contraceptive method. While vasectomies may be increasing in popularity, they aren’t the hassle-free solution that David Kushner describes. Designed as a permanent method of birth control, a vasectomy cuts the vas deferens so that sperm can no longer enter the semen. This surgery is often touted as a simple, outpatient procedure. And yet, as with any surgery, complications can arise. As NFPDoctors.org describes, “a healthy part of the body is damaged, and males can suffer anatomic, hormonal, immunologic, psychological, and social changes.” Pain, bruising, and swelling for up to two weeks are common post-surgery occurrences. Although less likely, bleeding and infection can occur. Patients can develop sperm granuloma – lumps caused by an immune response to leaking sperm – or chronic pain in and around the testes, a side effect called Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome. Some research has even linked vasectomies with an elevated risk for prostate and testicular cancer. With these side effects on the table, a vasectomy does not appear to be the easy fix so many men desire. Kushner also envisions a vasectomy as an absolute guarantee against conception; yet the National Institutes of Health web site cautions that a small number of couples do conceive during the first year after a vasectomy. Although quite rare, pregnancy can even occur several years after the procedure. Natural family planning, on the other hand, fits all of Kushner’s criteria for a long-term family planning approach. Modern methods of NFP are more than 99 percent effective in postponing or avoiding conception when needed, 100 percent free from “birth control intrusion,” and have no uncomfortable physical side effects. THEY SAY: In his Parents article, Kushner identified the vasectomy as an act of “saying goodbye to my fertility.” Several friends equated the procedure with “having their manhood somehow reduced.” Does a vasectomy diminish one’s masculinity? THE FACTS: NFPDoctors.org lists “emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression and changes in personality” * * * Natural Family Planning Classes Taught Classes in Natural Family Planning are taught in 17 locations in the Chicago metro area, including southeast Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. The next series of classes will begin Sunday, Feb 6th, 2011, at 1:30 pm, at Resurrection Medical Center, 7435 West Talcott Avenue, Chicago IL, taught by Dave and Mona Cattapan. To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to CCL International at http://www.ccli.org, (800) 745-8252. Chicago area NFP information is at http://www.naturalfamilyplanningchicago.com. The method taught is the Sympto-Thermal Method, which is also taught via CylePRO software. Sign up for a membership with the Couple to Couple League International at www.ccli.org, and receive “Family Foundations." # # # The Couple to Couple League (CCL) is an international, Catholic, non-profit organization dedicated to teaching Natural Family Planning (NFP) to married and engaged couples. This news article is sponsored by the Chicago chapter of CCL International. End
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