Long-term safety, health and mental status in men with vasectomy

Kai Zhao,Chengliang Xiong,Yaoping Chen,Xiangbin Kong,Honggang Li,Yiqun Gu,Li Wu,Xuejun Shang

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-33989-5

Abstract

Vasectomy is an efficient male contraceptive method, but the long-term effects of this technology in a large population are unclear. To investigate the influence of vasectomy on long-term health effects, we recruited 485 men with a vasectomy and 1940 men without vasectomy in China. After obtaining basic information from the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scale and other questionnaires, peripheral blood was drawn to assess the hormone levels, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and blood biochemistry. Using multiple linear regression analysis, these factors had no relationship with vasectomy except for four factors including the Somatic score (0.31, 0.02 and 0.61) in AMS, SF-36 score (−18.8, −32.00 and −5.60), “Role emotional” (−6.28, −10.34 and −2.22) and “Mental health” (−1.55, −3.08 and −0.02). A stratified analysis showed that with increased age, smoking and drinking, residence in township or a higher level of education, the mental health of men was worse. Vasectomy had no long-term effect on the level of sexual hormones in men, and it did not increase the level of PSA. The impact of the vasectomy on quality of life in men were mainly reflected in psychological effects, which suggests that men with vasectomy groups many benefit from professional psychological counseling.

Highlights

Vasectomy is a male contraceptive method involving a small operation of the vas deferens
The results revealed that vasectomy was not associated with the levels of TT, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), cfT, free testosterone index (FTI) and luteinizing hormone (LH) after adjustments for Model 1, Model 2 and Model 3
Our study explored the effects of vasectomy through many aspects, and we confirmed that men with vasectomy for over 15 years will not have extended physiological problems, including sex hormones, cancer risk, or physiological rank

Summary

Introduction

Vasectomy is a male contraceptive method involving a small operation of the vas deferens. Approximately 5% of married couples of reproductive age depend on vasectomy as a contraceptive method[1]. In countries such as China and India, vasectomy is regarded as an extremely popular and safe method of sterilization, especially during the period of the 1960s to 1970s, even though the initially high rate of acceptance has decreased[2]. Researchers assessed testosterone levels and testosterone deficient symptoms after vasectomy. Evidence suggests that the process may be associated with by psychological complications, including depression, irritability and somatic symptoms[15]. The aim of this study was to understand the effects of vasectomy over a long-term postoperative period by analyzing of the laboratory parameters and questionnaires

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion