Vasectomy question;?

my boyfriend is 27 years old and has been thinking about a vasectomy. His doctor told him he should wait until he is 35-40 to get it done because it can cause health problems later on....as anyone else heard this?

also has anyone had a vasectomy at a young age? If so have you had any problems? did you regret getting one so young?

thanks so much for your help!!!

Vasectomies get blamed for everything from prostate cancer to bad haircuts. The fact is there are NO side effects to vasectomies no matter what age.

The doctor is just trying to scare him into not getting it. They do this because they are attempting to force their own brand of morals. Some doctors fear liability if he changes his minds, bla-bla-bla. Such unprofessional behavyor is common these days.

I never heard of anyone ever having side effects except for the psycological crap like, "OMG, I'm only half a man now", or somthing like that.

Just tell him to go to a different doctor, or to a non-profit clinic. It took me a few tries. He may have to lie about how many kids he has or somthing.

I got mine when I was 21, and I have no children. I am now over 40. My girlfriend and I belong to a "Childfree" club. Most of us male members had vasectomies done at young ages because we were determined not to have children when we were young.

Don't let anyone lie to you about the law requiring a minumum number of children, marrage, or some minimum age. That is all "unrban legend".

I have never met anyone that regretted getting a vasectomy. I always hear about a "brother of a nieghbors friend", or a "former roomates cousin" that had a reversal, but that is about it.

One more thing. He should get a "traditional" vasectomy (the type they have been doing for 100 years). The more modern techniques are highly prone to failure.

I know this sounds weird but my brother had one at 25 and i dont think he would have done it if there were health risk

my husband just had it done last week and my brother in law had it done about 4 months ago. they never heard of that. it is a way simple procedure and takes no time to heal. it is really way easy to do. only a local is used! i get more than that at the dentist!!

There is a 2% risk...is that high enough to make a negative decision?

I thought about getting at around 27 years old but I never went any farther than thinking about it. I wish I would have gotten one though. I did get one at 37 and I'm very happy that I did, no condoms, no pills, no diaphrams....wonderful.

got mine in mid-30's. There is a possible link to getting one early in life and prostate cancer, but I don't think that's confirmed. 27 is really young to be getting snipped. If he wants kids later, having a reversal is tough, expensive, and not guaranteed.

Never heard that health problems could arise from an operation at his age. However, a doctor certainly knows. I would at least get a 2nd opinion, or do some research on the Internet.

I would give a good reason for postponing the operation, though, and has nothing to do with safety or health. I would advise postponing for a few years or more, just in case he changes his mind. Although that does not seem likely now, it is a distinct possibility, for any number of reasons.

32 although a little young, had it done because of some
health problems of my wife. I haven't regretted it in the least
and only had minimal problems with infection. Strongly suggest your brother take his doctors advice and wait a few year.

I read through the answers prior to this response, and it is unfortunate that everything was anecdotal evidence, pro or con, and therefore not a valid source on information.

Vasectomies have been a method of birth control of decades. As the surgical techniques have advanced, so has the efficacy of the intended results: the cessation of the movement of sperm out of the body. (Sperm is still produced, however, it is reabsorbed rather than moved out of the body via ejaculation)

Even among the most liberal of data in medical journals, vasectomies are still around 50% effective. In more simple terms, half of the men getting vasectomies, either had unacceptable sperm counts (too high) after the procedure, and/or had to return one or more times to have the procedure repeated to achieve acceptable levels of sperm (low) in the ejaculate. With such statistics, it is still recommended that additional forms of birth control be practised in addition to the reliance on a vasectomy.

Regardless of what some of the readers reported, there is pain associated with the procedure. Yes, this procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia, however, this wears off and pain associated with the procedure returns quickly.

Patients empirically report, swelling, bruising, burning, blood in the urine, severe itching and infections. Cumulatively, these reports account for about 14 - 20% of the patients. Not a significant amount, but still a number that needs to be recognized.

There is also a condition known as 'sperm granulomas' or sperm leakages at the vas deferens dissection causing an inflammatory reaction or small firm balls of tissue with entrapped sperm. About 60% of men will have this complication - but, only about 4% will have complications extensive enough to require surgical intervention.

As far as prostate cancer, considering all of the data based studies out there, there is still a marginal percentage greater risk of contracting prostate cancer in vasectomized patients as opposed to non-vasectomized. The same is true for testicular cancer. This vacillating number is probably due to the lack of breadth of data in the cancer patients, i.e. diet, and lifestyle.

On responder stated that the doctor was trying to 'guilt' the patient into waiting for several years. To do so, would be contrary to the Hipocratic oath - in part. It is unprofessional to resort to such means to impart moral direction. This is a medical procedure, not a moral one. There is very little information in medical ethics dealing with vasectomies.

Regrets at a young age? Although a more extensive procedure, a vasectomy can be reversed. The vas deferens can be 're-joined' in an attempt to restore the flow of sperm through the urethra. The original physician's response may be so based (to wait until later in life) so as to allow for greater success for such a reversal if so desired.

I hope this helps. Knowledge is the opposite of fear.

i had it done at about 28 and its not that bad at all. the only side affect is that you have a higher chance of the tube that they cut (forget how to spell it but the tube that goes to the testicle) can get an infection. I have had it about 2-3 times in the last 8 years and its not that bad. Simple case of a round of antibiotics and all clear. I don't regret getting it done as it means no more condoms or wife on the pill.

I was 24, with no children, and never been married. I asked for a referral to a urologist. I got my vasectomy. My insurance paid for it. Nobody questioned me. It was nothing. That was 10 years ago, and it works fine.