Are sexual problems more common in men who have had a vasectomy? A population-based study of Australian men.
BACKGROUND
It is not known whether sexual problems are currently more prevalent among men who have had a vasectomy compared with those who have not had a vasectomy.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether vasectomized men are more likely to report experiencing a range of sexual problems than nonvasectomized men and to assess their overall sexual and relationship satisfaction.


METHODS
A population-based survey of 3,390 Australian men's sexual experiences was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing.


METHODS
Proportions of vasectomized and nonvasectomized men who: (i) reported a sexual problem for at least 1 month during the last 12 months; and (ii) rated their sexual and relationship satisfaction as either extremely satisfying or not extremely satisfying.


RESULTS
Vasectomy was reported by 25.1% of men, almost 70% of whom were aged 40-59 years. Vasectomized men were more likely to be married, live in regional areas, and speak English at home. Having a vasectomy was not associated with any specific sexual problem, such as lacking interest in sex or taking too long to reach orgasm. Vasectomized men (10.8%) were slightly more likely than nonvasectomized men (8.2%) to report problems maintaining an erection, but this difference disappeared when age and other socio-demographic variations were taken into account. Although vasectomized men (33.7%) were just as likely as nonvasectomized men (33.0%) to be extremely satisfied sexually, they were significantly more likely to be extremely satisfied with their relationship overall (48.3% vs. 42.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that sexual problems are no more prevalent among vasectomized men than they are among nonvasectomized men.
Smith
Anthony
A
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. anthony.smith@latrobe.edu.au
Lyons
Anthony
A
Ferris
Jason
J
Richters
Juliet
J
Pitts
Marian
M
Shelley
Julia
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult