I there a down side to vasectomies?

[achtung_circus]

At age 48 I have no children and don't want children. My ex has a medical condition treated with the pill so birth control wasn't a male issue.

Now I'm starting to think about a vasectomy and wonder if there are any side effects that might be considered negative.

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[benburch]

1. Well, it HURT a lot more than they say...

but I am assured that my post-operative pain was atypical.

Nevertheless, I am VERY glad that I did it.

[customerserviceguy]

9. I'll admit

It did feel like I had two evil gnomes living in my pockets, each giving me a bit of a kick with every step, for most of the first week after, but I went to work the next day, and lifted heavy books from shelves, so I guess I was trying to be macho!

[Racenut20]

2. You develop an overwhelmingly strong tendency

To follow women home that have a magnet in their purse.

[JVS]

3. If you get one then when you're on Maury, you won't be the daddy.

This can be good or bad depending on the POV.

Since you are single, I wouldn't reccomend it. You might not want kids, but sometimes new spouses do (especially if they haven't had any on their own).

[bigwillq]

8. LOL!!`

I love those Maury shows!!

[Misunderestimator]

10. He can always get a reverse vasectomy...

I think at 48, he's pretty much lived enough to know that he doesn't want children. I know I don't. Fortunately, I don't need to worry about that. :)

[JVS]

16. Yeah, but since he's single now anyway.

The vasectomy isn't going to do much that isn't already done by proper safe-sex practices. You never know when a 20 year old is going to marry a 48 year old with hopes of starting her own family. And why get something if you'll reverse it. And why get something you won't use (since presumably a single person will use rubbers anyway)

[Misunderestimator]

19. I think it probably has to do with the fact that he might not want

to use rubbers... I've heard (though I have no personal experience in this :) ) that it isn't quite the same thing (and they definitely don't always work). I think it's great that a man wants to get a vasectomy rather than expecting the woman to pop pills that DO have some ill side-effects.

I was a "diaphragm-baby" myself.

[JVS]

21. Not using rubbers can kill you.

Sorry, I'm from the generation raised on that. At least while single rubbers are a must. Once in a relationship one can decide whether to have surgery

[Misunderestimator]

22. Well of COURSE... there's that.... I say what I said with the assumption

that he would have been careful to know what he was risking. (i.e. both of them having HIV tests done, etc.)

Nothing is stopping him from using rubbers even with a vasectomy until he meets that special someone who would be responsible enough with him to do that.

[achtung_circus]

24. It's not the same,

but it's more. It's the hassle of birth control, the crap shoot of basically rolling the dice. I'm almost positive I don't ever want children, if it becomes an issue at some point then reversability or sperm donation would be an option. I'm not tied to my own genetics, being a father is a role, not an ejaculation.

[JVS]

25. Then go for it.

[serryjw]

37. Save sperm to a sperm bank...

that way you can always 'father' a child if you decide to.

[truthspeaker]

38. They are not always reversible. But why not?

If you're sure you don't want kids (and at 48 I trust you've spent a long time considering this), do it up. The argument that you might meet a partner who really wants kids is a good reason to get one now while you're in your right mind.

Condoms do no always work.

Some women will lie and say they are on the pill in order to trap a man with a pregnancy.

[Crowdance]

4. Lots more middle of the night activity

so, if you hate losing a good night's sleep, that would be a downside.

[achtung_circus]

27. There's activity and there's activity.

Running to the john is an activity I don't want more of, rolling over and making whoopee is a different matter.

[Crowdance]

34. This IS a different matter!

Like being a kid in a candy store. Nobody's worried. Nobody has to get up to prepare. Nobody suffers side effects. Best thing Mr. Crow and I ever did. ('cept for those three kids.....)

[MissMillie]

39. Surgical sterilization

I had my tubes tied... and let me assure you, it was one of the best things that ever happened to my sex life. Spontaneous, worry-free sex.

Mind you, if you're not in a monogamous relationship, a vasectomy will probably not grant you worry-free sex.

[customerserviceguy]

5. Don't worry

Hi, I'm 48, also, and had my vasectomy nearly 21 years ago, after the birth of my third child. No ill effects whatsoever. No noticeable difference in any aspect of functioning.

Remember the old Dial Soap ads: "Takes the worry out of being close"!

It's quite responsible of you to make this decision, if you fathered a child now, you'd be over 65 by the time the child was ready for college. Tuition payments might be tough to afford on Social Security, if we still have it by then! You didn't say anything about your current interpersonal relationship situation, but if you're between relationships, you can consider a woman who may still be raising a child, and who would like a partner in that important job. If you find someone who wants to nurture children, there is always the option of adopting an older child. A mature couple can often turn a troubled young person's life around, and you'll be a real Dad to someone, not just a mere sperm donor.

[MnFats]

6. if there are, I am yet to notice them.

got mine about 10 years ago. a little sore for a couple/three days or so.

here's the odd thing:

not long ago i had lunch with a former colleague and good friend. She is seeing some new guy and they're becoming close after a few months etc., etc.
the only beef they have is over contraception: she's content to continue to use condoms but he would like her to go on the pill, which she's not eager to do etc. etc.

I'm listening to this and suddenly a little part of the back of my mind is going, "Oh, yeah. Sex. That's how you get pregnant."
I'm not making this up.

If you have the snip-snip, you never have to worry about contraception again.


one more thing. while inquiring about this with my doc, i indicated i was feeling nervous, despite my confidence in his abilities.
"You really don't need to worry," he said. "I've done hundreds of these. But if you're really nervous we can give you something to help you relax.
"OK, bring a lot of it."
"Are you really that concerned? I'm surprised at you."
"I just don't like the idea of a scalpel near my b••••, OK?"
anyway, i overcame my fear, got it done and have never regretted it.

[lojasmo]

41. I didn't take my valium

I should have taken my valium. The cautery sent zings of pain up into my belly. It was not pleasant.

I also worked a 16 hour day on day three. Don't do that. I spent much of the shift sitting with my feet up, and a sack of ice on my um, sack.

[whistle]

7. Here is a site that explains the procedure....

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF VASECTOMY?
A study has shown that men who have had a vasectomy have an increased incidence of prostate cancer after 20 years. Since that report, other studies have noted that there is no increased incidence of prostate cancer. The Male Health Center is monitoring current developments regarding this possibility and will be happy to discuss the risk factors in more detail at the time of your consultation.

For at least the first six weeks after the procedure, you will be advised to use another form of birth control. Afterward, the man's semen is checked to ensure no sperm are present. Total charge for a vasectomy is typically less than $500.
<link>
http://www.malehealthcenter.com/vasec.html

I had my vasectomy 30 years ago and the only side effect I had was when I decided to have sex too soon after the surgery. I don't recommend sex within 45 minutes after the procedure, there is not enough ice available in the world to bring down the swelling:nopity:

Edit: I should mention that I get prostate exams every year and I've had no problems or any signs of adverse reactions from the procedure. In fact, the doctor tells me I have the prostate of a 28 year old.

[sandnsea]

11. This wife says... NOPE!!!

Although, when they tell you not to pick up anything heavier than a pencil, THEY MEAN IT. My husband must have thought he had to prove his balls were as good as they ever were, I don't know. He went out and cleaned the pool the day after. DUMB idea. Anyway, I've not heard of anything negative and I've known uncles and friends of my parents who've been getting them since the late 60's. Actually, my dad's boss paid for them back then. It was such a "liberating" thing for families and men and he really wanted to encourage his workers to take the time off work and have them done. Things have really changed, haven't they.

Good luck to you!

[Career Prole]

12. My brother-in-law says rest for the amount of time the doc tells you to.

I can't remember how long specifically, but he blew it off and went to work the next morning since he was feeling fine and the twins swelled up to the size of grapefruits and he was laid up for the rest of the week looking like that cartoon "Your Testicles And You" in "Johnny Dangerously"
Everyone else I know who's had one suffered no ill effects.

[LiberalFighter]

17. Dr schedules vas on Thurs afternoons and don't go back to work until Mon.

[grannylib]

13. One rare but potentially deadly outcome that I know of: Type A Strep

infection (also strikes infants after circumcision) known as Fournier's Gangrene. My hubby got it not from a vasectomy but from a peri-rectal abscess; he was in the hospital 3 weeks, had 3 surgeries. About 1/8 of his left butt cheek carved away, as well as a nice long incision from his abdomen all the way around his scrotum to remove dead tissue. Pretty nasty.
Google it if you have a strong stomach....
As I said, it's quite rare but nothing to mess around with. Often called "hospital gangrene" since the bacteria that cause it are so prevalent in hospitals.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

14. Vasectomies are FANTASTIC

my husband had one four years ago. But learn a bit from his tale:

DISCLAIMER: I AM SURE his story is VERY atypical, ok???

First of all, get a good referral to a good urologist. His urologist made a joke about doing him a "favor" and circumcising him while "we're at it." Husband sat straight up, covered himself, and said, "touch me anywhere except where you are supposed to and find yourself slapped with a huge malpractice suit." Guys with all their stuff seem to like it that way. The doctor laughs nervously and says it was just a joke.

Then the doctor gives him the local. He thought it took. He starts cutting (it's a TINY TINY incision) but my husband could FEEL it. I was in the waiting room and heard this strangled sounding yell and apparently husband sat straight up again. Doctor says (husband is panting), "You shouldn't be able to feel that." Husband:
(pant pant) "WELL I COULD!" So they give him another local and this time they check to see if he is numb first. The doctor finishes.

Now the second part of his cautionary tale is my husband's fault. He got a paper saying that after a certain amount of time, he could resume activity. And that he needed to come in for a sperm count after six weeks or about x number of ejaculations (I don't remember the number). Husband thought it meant "WHICHEVER COMES FIRST", which it did NOT. So he decides to speed up the process and go solo a lot so that he can go in for the count sooner. Soon he develops a lot of swelling and they turn a bright shade of purple and there are hard lumps down there. He goes back to the doctor, admits what he was doing and was diagnosed with some kind of sperm crystallized infection type thing he had to take antibiotics for. So his recovery took longer than most because of his ambition. Ahem.

Once that was all cleared up he was fine and we have been VERY VERY happy with it. No worries, if you know what I mean. And he reports not a single difference in functioning!

Go for it! Just remember how atypical my husband's experience is and LISTEN to your doctor about the recovery. Don't push it.

[Misunderestimator]

15. Hey, well at least your husband is horny... that's gotta be a good thing..

:D

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

18. Hmmmm

yeah I guess it is. Though he certainly doesn't act like a 22 year old anymore, he does still "have it." (He's 36.)

Actually I think he's just a bit crazy. He thought whichever comes first, you know, like an oil change, 3 months OR 3000 miles, but it didn't mean that.

[customerserviceguy]

23. Is there

a Jiffy Lube joke buried in there? :-)

[LizW]

20. Permanent sterilization is terrific if you don't want kids

or more kids, in my case.

It's is very freeing to not have to worry about birth control EVER again.

The only down side I can think of is that if you're not in a monagamous relationship you still have to worry about stds, and therefore use condoms.

[achtung_circus]

26. I tend to be a serial monogomist, nt.

[OneTwentyoNine]

28. Yeah,a nurse will be assisting the doctor most likely....

Heh he....I had one about 13 years ago,it was a piece of cake. My wife has been in and around the medical field all her life so she got good references for my doctor.

Its over in just minutes...after making damn sure your completely numb. You might feel a slight tugging sensation but its really not painful.

You do need to take it easy for at least a couple of days,more if you can. No lifting couches,running 5 miles etc. I received a prescription for pain pills,got them and never took any.

Your wife can go off the pill or whatever and you won't ever need to wear a rubber,its a win win situation.

David

[achtung_circus]

29. I don't plan on telling my ex-wife.

Hee Hee.

[OneTwentyoNine]

30. Two other things......

You have to buy a jock strap unless you already have one,the doc wants the family jewels fully supported for a few days. I hadn't worn one since gym back in junior high,it felt strange for a few days.

You have shave all your pubic hair before the operation. Do it yourself and do a damn good job or they'll do it AGAIN when you go in. As good looking as that nurse was I'm damn glad I did a stellar job and didn't need a touch up!

David

[JVS]

31. What is wrong with having a good-looking woman shave your genitals?

Hell, it's almost an incentive to do a poor job.

[Doctor_J]

32. no medical side effects

just the occasional thought of, "What happens if Mrs TOJ gets hit by a bus, and Diane Lane falls in love with me and wants a house full of kids?"

[catzies]

33. My brother's went wrong & put him into male menopause before 40

His testosterone production shut down completely with a few months afterward. No one can satisfactorily tell him why.

Don't let that stop you.

Me, I had a tubal ligation when my daughter turned 18. My brother wishes it was his wife who had the tubes tied, not him.

[jukes]

35. got mine @ 30

55 now, never a complication.

good luck, non-breeder! :hi:

[ulysses]

36. other than a knife to the scrotum, you mean?

I'm just saying.

[mrboba1]

40. I've been mulling this over as well

for about a year now. These posts have helped me move forward.

One question: How much does this usually cost?
(I have crappy insurance)
:)

[franmarz]

42. No babies

if you wanted them.