Dip in number of men undergoing vasectomy

Fewer men in the city are opting for vasectomy as a contraceptive method.

Fewer men in the city are opting for vasectomy as a contraceptive method.

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According to the data made available by the civic body, the number of men undergoing the surgical procedure for sterilisation in the last three years has dipped. In 2008, 4,667 men opted for vasectomy. In 2009, the number fell to 3,965 and further dipped to 2,086 in 2010.

City public hospitals had introduced non-scalpel vasectomy, a minimal-invasive procedure, to make the procedure more appealing to men. Non-scalpel vasectomy does not require an incision or stitches, which resulted in no bleeding and less time spent hospital.

Doctors feel vasectomy is losing popularity because other methods of contraception such as condoms and morning after pills are being marketed aggressively.

“I have conducted vasectomy reversal surgeries for men who wished to have children as they had remarried. Men have begun to prefer condoms and similar contraceptive methods,” said Nandita Palshetkar, infertility specialist at Lilavati Hospital.

However, doctors feel that awareness could help. “Awareness against myths such as complications during and after the surgery could help popularise the technique,” said Dr Uddhav Raj, gynaecologist, Wadia Hospital.

However, civic officials said that the procedure to get permission to put up banners creating awareness about benefits of vasectomy is cumbersome.

“Awareness will help the situation. We are trying to seek permission to put up banners in public places. We are expecting NGOs to help us in creating awareness in public,” said Dr Asha Advani, BMC’s special officer, women and child welfare department.