Physiologic measures in men with and without vasectomies

Abstract

Blood pressure, hematologic and blood chemistry measurements, and serologic tests for syphilis were performed on 4385 vasectomized and 13,155 age- and race-matched, nonvasectomized men who had multiphasic health checkups as members of a large prepaid medical care program in California. The study was carried out from 1977 through 1980. Age distributions of the vasectomized and nonvasectomized men were identical, 33% of both groups being 40 years old or younger, 33% being 41-50, and 34% being 51 or older. 37% of the vasectomized men had their vasectomies 10 or more years before their examination. Systolic blood pressure was slightly but significantly lower and potassium was slightly but significantly higher in the vasectomized group. All other differences were small and not biologically important. These data agree with other studies of vasectomized humans, in which no association of vasectomy with adverse health outcomes, including atherosclerosis, has been found.