The psychological effects of vasectomy.

Abstract

The possibility of long-term psychological sequelae of vasectomy is not included in preoperative male sterilization counseling. This article reviews the literature on the psychosexual and social response to vasectomy. The majority of studies have found no negative effects of vasectomy on sexual performance or frequency of sexual intercourse. In general, adverse psychological events are the least common in men who made the decision for vasectomy jointly with their wives. Possible predictors of psychosexual problems include pre-existing emotional instability, excessive concerns about masculinity, confusion of the procedure with castration, and post-surgical complaints. The major predictors of post-sterilization regret among both male and female sterilization acceptors are pre-operative motivation for further child bearing, poor couple communication, high levels of conflict during decision making, and dominance of decision making by one spouse.