Contraception tips from men

Men are increasingly proactive in contraception - Illustration: DUONG LIEU

What is the secret to successful male "contraception"?

When contraception is no longer a woman's business

Having two young children, Ms. Huyen’s family (35 years old, in Hanoi) did not want to have any new members. Therefore, both husband and wife decided to use contraception. After discussing with her husband, Ms. Huyen wanted to use condoms or get sterilized to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

"I'm very afraid of taking birth control pills or getting birth control implants because many friends say that using this method will cause hormonal changes, possibly causing weight gain or amenorrhea, and decreased libido. Using condoms is quite "inconvenient", so my husband and I decided to get sterilized," said Ms. Huyen.

After making the decision, both husband and wife went to the hospital to consult a doctor. At the hospital, after listening to the doctors' explanation, Ms. Huyen's husband agreed to have a vasectomy to prevent his wife from getting pregnant unintentionally.

Ms. Huyen shared that she was very surprised because she thought she would be the one to be sterilized, not her husband.

"But when the doctor said that the surgery to remove the ovaries would have to be done through the abdomen and require hospitalization, my husband felt sorry for me so he took the initiative to get sterilized. Male sterilization is also much simpler. I feel very happy about that," Huyen said with a smile.

According to male doctors, in recent years many men have been open and proactive in taking responsibility for contraception. At the Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, many men have taken the initiative to have sterilizations to help their wives avoid pregnancy.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre, Dr. Ta Viet Cuong, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, said that each month the hospital receives more than 30 cases of male sterilization. Usually, men who undergo sterilization are between the ages of 30-45, most of whom already have 2-3 children.

In Ho Chi Minh City, speaking with Tuoi Tre , Dr. Le Vu Tan - Department of Andrology, Binh Dan Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) - said that each month the department receives about 5-10 men between the ages of 40-50 requesting to have a vasectomy to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

This number has increased significantly compared to five years ago when there was only one case per quarter.

"Although most men in Vietnam think that contraception is women's job, they do not know that they also have the responsibility to participate and share these difficulties.

In fact, when we advise men on contraception, many are hesitant, thinking that this is a woman's job and should not be a concern. Up to now, many men have been more open and share some of the responsibility for contraception with their wives, including sterilization methods," Dr. Tan shared.

Men with progressive thinking, choose the right contraceptive method

According to Dr. Vu Thai Hoang - Department of Urology, Military Hospital 175 (HCMC), the idea of ​​contraception among men has now progressed quite a bit, gradually becoming more aware of their own responsibility in this matter instead of previously only assigning it to women.

"Previously, men were afraid that vasectomy would affect their sex life and quality of life. With increasingly easy access to information, many people have learned about it and know that this is a safe method, so they proactively prevent pregnancy for their wives," Dr. Hoang explained.

Referring to male contraceptive methods, Dr. Tan informed that there are currently three main methods, ranked from simple to complex, including: withdrawal, condom use, and sterilization surgery.

Methods such as implants, spermicides, and testosterone-inhibiting hormones are not yet mainstream and are still under research.

"There is no best contraceptive method for men. Depending on different circumstances, men will choose different contraceptive methods. For example, for couples who have had enough children and do not want to have more children, they can have sterilization surgery to prevent pregnancy permanently," Dr. Tan added.

Dr. Hoang also said that some contraceptive methods such as withdrawal, condoms, spermicides inserted into the woman's body... all have the potential to cause unwanted pregnancy. Vasectomy helps men feel more comfortable and does not harm the wife's health because they do not have to use drugs, implants or IUDs," said Dr. Hoang.

Regarding the vasectomy method, Dr. Hoang said that this is the most effective contraceptive method for men today when both husband and wife already have enough children and do not want to have more children.

Vasectomy is a simple surgery that cuts off the sperm transport pathway (sperm only accounts for 2-5% of semen), preventing sperm from moving out of the testicles.

All functions, from testosterone production to ejaculation and orgasm, are maintained as before. In cases where men want to have children naturally again, doctors will reconnect the vas deferens.

Male sterilization is not as "harmful" as many people think.

Male doctor advises on male sterilization - Photo: D.LIEU

Dr. Ta Viet Cuong added that male sterilization does not affect men's desire. Because desire is determined by two active substances in the body including the male hormone testosterone and the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Testosterone is mainly produced in the testicles, a small part in the adrenal glands and is not affected by the vas deferens. In addition, erectile ability is not related to the vas deferens.

"In reality, male sterilization is not what men imagine, but is just a simple procedure that lasts about 10 - 15 minutes. Doctors will open a small incision of about 0.5 - 1cm on each side of the scrotum after injecting anesthetic. The vas deferens will be exposed to the skin and then "locked".

Before the procedure, men will be given an anesthetic to numb the pain and then instructed to take anti-inflammatory pain medication for a few days. Most men can return to light daily activities immediately afterwards.

Compared to female sterilization, male sterilization is quite gentle. If female sterilization requires doctors to perform the procedure through the abdomen, and women must stay in the hospital after the procedure, but male sterilization only requires intervention right outside the scrotum and they can go home the same day," said Dr. Cuong.

According to Dr. Cuong, unless you abstain from sex completely, there is no contraceptive method more effective than vasectomy in preventing pregnancy. The failure rate is very low, 0.02 - 0.2%. In addition, sterilization is also the most economical choice for long-term contraception.

In case couples want to have children after male sterilization, in addition to connecting the vas deferens, sperm can be surgically retrieved for artificial insemination.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bi-quyet-tranh-thai-tu-nam-gioi-2024100222424679.htm