The vasectomy is not free. It can cause frightening and frustrating long term effects which are about as permanent as the sterility that it was intended to produce.

The numbers of dissatisfied vasectomized men are increasing, primarily with the affliction of post vasectomy pain, (about 20%, but that number is adjusted upwardly every year). Once one finds out that there are others like him, he is more likely to drop stoic pretenses and admit that his balls hurt.

A vasectomy is almost always referred to in terms of "harmless," no "secondary long term effects." It's a good sell, but it is not the whole truth. Little or nothing is said about life after except for the benefits of sterility.

In more true to life terms, a vasectomy is having your vas defrens cut in two, the ends are cauterized or sutured, interrupting the flow of sperm from the testis, sterility is achieved. Unfortunately the testis aren't informed and continue to function normally, producing sperm cells.

With the holes on the tubes bunged up and the testis of a normal healthy man still dedicated to the production of sperm, something has got to give... and it does. The sperm backs up and eventually forms a tooth paste like sludge. as the sperm backs up so does the pressure and blow outs begin to occur along the epididymis. Because the body is not ordinarily exposed to sperm (with leakage after the blow outs) antibodies to the sperm are produced and the problems begin. The sperm cells are actually quite irritating and resistant, they have to be to withstand the hostile environment of someone else's body in a reproductive role.. they were never meant to be out in the blood stream.

Reports of secondary long term effects are rising to the surface. I have collected a few assorted references to this "politically incorrect" malady. They are fairly hard to find:
Web site:

• UroWeb

• J Urol 1997 Oct;158(4):1528. Re: Vasectomy reversal for treatment of the post-vasectomy pain syndrome.
• Br J Urol 1997 Feb;79(2):269-270; The incidence of post-vasectomy chronic testicular pain and the role of nerve stripping (denervation) of the spermatic cord in its management.
• J Urol 1996 Apr;155(4):1284-1286; Questionnaire-based outcomes study of nononcological post-vasectomy complications.
• Br J Urol 1992 Feb;69(2):188-191; Chronic testicular pain following vasectomy.
• Br J Urol 1991 Oct;68(4):407-413; Epididymectomy for post-vasectomy pain: histological review.
• J Urol 1985 Sep;134(3):494-497; A late post-vasectomy syndrome.

• Roberts, H.J. Is a Vasectomy Safe?
• Wolfers, David. Vasectomy and vasectomania

Surgery has always meant the "remedy" for a pathological condition. The truth is that a vasectomy is an attempt to use surgery to correct a social problem. Further, plugging up a healthy organ system and expecting "no side effects" is just plain idiocy. Medically speaking, symptoms from an injury provoked on a healthy organ system could take years to manifest, and that manifestation could be almost anything.

On the same tangent ... Why would public health or other medical "authorities" not raise questions about the procedure? We can't expect a cohesive group of professionals to be self incriminating. Repercussions from iatrogenic illnesses (produced by the physician's activity) are always very damming and damaging. Medical authorities (public and private institutions responsible for public health) always provide a very quick response to negative news... and the answer is always the same... its safe, don't worry.

Many vasectomized men find it hard to admit that they have problems. Most mention the "its all in your head" response they get from the same MD's that did the procedure. There is a lot of frustration and anger and there is no place to take it to.

Being responsible (in a reproductive sense) does not mean you have to sacrifice your health. Remember that the vasectomy is not the treatment of a pathological condition, it is the cutting into a healthy organ system with the deliberate intention of plugging it up.

The vasectomy creates some real problems, post vasectomy pain is too common and should be a sign to halt present policies. But we will see no restraint or real informed consent until the medical establishment is held accountable by legal action.