title: Bringing men to the table: sterilization can be for him or for her.
abstract: Sterilization, male and female combined, is the most common use of contraception in the United States. Despite the lower risk, higher cost-efficacy, and high efficacy of vasectomy compared with female sterilization, more US women rely on female sterilization than male sterilization. Reasons for low use of vasectomy include lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the procedure, lack of access, provider bias, and patient preferences. This article will provide a basic overview of male and female sterilization, an exploration of vasectomy barriers, and ways obstetrician-gynecologists can increase vasectomy uptake including regular recommendation of vasectomy to patients in long-term committed relationships considering sterilization.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington †Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bukowski
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D003267:Contraception / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*