Vasectomy Risk

Such a relationship, if proven, would be of importance because about 1 in 6 men over age 35 in the United States has had a vasectomy.

The majority of studies conducted thus far have upheld the conclusions made at the 1993 NICHD conference. Vasectomy and the risk of prostate cancer: A meta-analysis examining vasectomy status, age at vasectomy, and time since vasectomy. Vasectomy and risk of prostate cancer.

The scientists could not find any convincing biological explanation for a link between vasectomy and an increased risk of prostate cancer. Based on these findings, the expert panel concluded that even if having a vasectomy can increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, the increase in risk is relatively small. In March 1993, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development convened a conference, cosponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, to clarify the available evidence on the relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer.

C. Speizer, et al., “A long-term study of mortality in men who have undergone vasectomy,” New England Journal of Medicine 326:1392-139 1

N. Clarkson, “Effect of vasectomy on diet-induced atherosclerosis, Vasectomy: Immunologic and Pathophysiologic Effects in Animals and Man, Irwin H. Kriegsman, “Effect of vasectomy on psychological functioning,” Psychosomatic Medicine 20: 2

Although the final verdict on the health risks of vasectomy is not in, suspicions are rising that the long-term effects on a man’s immunological system can pose serious health problems.

Thornhill, M. Edy, “Psychological aspects of vasectomy,” Medical Counterpoint 2

Criticism is mounting within the medical community about the uncritical way in which vasectomy has been declared medically safe.

A decade later, epidemiologists reported an “unexpected association”between vasectomy and prostate cancer.

R. Fisch, et al., “Detection of testicular endocrine abnormalities and their correlation with serum antisperm antibodies in men following vasectomy,” Journal of Urology 141:1129-113 1

S. Dandekar, “After-effects of vasectomy,” Artha Vijnana 5:21 2

According to the National Institutes of Health, research that examined this issue found no evidence that men with vasectomies were more likely than others to develop heart disease or any other immune illness.

What are the risk factors for vasectomy?

In a smaller group of 30 men with a dementia called frontotemporal dementia 37 percent had undergone a vasectomy.

Preliminary evidence from the study also seemed to connect another form of dementia to a vasectomy.

It is important to note that vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of birth control, and it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or AIDS.

Prostate Cancer - Studies looking at the association of prostate cancer with vasectomy have demonstrated conflicting results in the past. The conclusion was clearly that there is no increased risk of prostate cancer with vasectomy .

Chronic Orchialagia - A rare vasectomy complication - the patient may experience a dull post vasectomy pain or ache in the testicles that is thought to be caused by a congestion of the epididymis with dead sperm and fluid. Postoperative Pain - Some degree of post vasectomy pain or ache is normal following a vasectomy.

Alternatives - Find out how the vasectomy procedure compares with alternative methods of contraception available today.

Immune Reactions - Following vasectomy, the immune system may recognize the absorbed sperm cells as foreign proteins and produce antibodies in response.

Bleeding - Generally painless bleeding may occur following vasectomy and collect under the skin, so that the penis and scrotum appear bruised and/or swollen.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative risk of prostate cancer for men who had had a vasectomy vs those who had not. CONCLUSIONS: Vasectomy does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, even after 25 years or more. CONTEXT: Vasectomy is a common method of contraception, but concern exists about a reported association with risk of prostate cancer.