Vasectomies result in more and better sex
King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Q: I’m thinking about getting a vasectomy. We have two kids, and that’s perfect for us. This seems like the best method of birth control. Are there any downsides?— Glen H., Cincinnati
A: Any operation increases your risk of infection, but a vasectomy is a relatively safe and simple procedure: The vas deferens (sperm canal) is detached from each testicle. You’ll need an ice pack to control swelling and will experience slight discomfort, but you should be up and running in seven to 10 days.
The process is 99.9 percent effective as birth control and as a bonus, there’s some new, good news about an unexpected benefit for men who’ve undergone the procedure: The conventional thinking has always been that the only change after a vasectomy is the loss of sperm in the ejaculate (it makes up only about 5 percent of the fluid). A man’s sex drive, erections and orgasms were thought to be unaffected. But apparently that’s not so. When a guy wants to and does eliminate the possibility of pregnancy, his enjoyment of sex increases.
According to a study from Germany’s Frankfurt University of 279 heterosexual men who had vasectomies, guys develop a stronger sex drive, have sex more frequently and experience better orgasms post-vasectomy— a woman’s satisfaction isn’t reduced. Proving, once again, the strongest sex organ is between your ears!
But beware! It can take up to three months to clear the sperm out of your ejaculate, so stick with your current birth control method during those three months. And if, down the road, you have a change of heart or circumstances and want to hook the boys back up again, you can have a vasectomy reversal. After a reversal, pregnancy rates range from 30 to 70 percent; however, patency rates—the return of sperm in the ejaculate—can reach 95 percent.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.