Contraception tips from men

Men are becoming increasingly proactive in contraception - Illustration: DUONG LIEU

What are the secrets to successful contraception for men?

When contraception is no longer just a matter for women.

Having two young children, Ms. Huyen (35 years old, living in Hanoi ) and her family do not wish to have any more children. Therefore, both she and her husband have decided to use contraception. After discussing with her husband, Ms. Huyen hopes to use condoms or undergo sterilization to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

"I was very afraid of taking birth control pills or getting a contraceptive implant because many friends said that using these methods would cause hormonal changes, potentially leading to weight gain or amenorrhea, and decreased libido. Using condoms was also quite 'inconvenient,' so my husband and I decided to get sterilized," Ms. Huyen said.

After making the decision, the couple went to the hospital to seek advice from a doctor. At the hospital, after listening to the doctors' explanations, Ms. Huyen's husband agreed to have a vasectomy to prevent his wife from having an unwanted pregnancy.

Ms. Huyen shared that she was very surprised because she thought she would be the one to get sterilized, not her husband.

"But when the doctor mentioned that the oophorectomy would involve surgery through the abdominal cavity and hospitalization, my husband, out of love for me, proactively opted for vasectomy. Male vasectomy is also much simpler. I feel very happy about that," Ms. Huyen said with a smile.

According to urologists, in recent years many men have become more open and proactive in taking responsibility for contraception. At Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, many men have proactively undergone vasectomy to help their wives avoid pregnancy.

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ newspaper, Dr. Tạ Việt Cường from Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital said that the hospital receives more than 30 cases of male sterilization each month. Typically, men undergo sterilization between the ages of 30 and 45, most of whom already have 2-3 children.

Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, in an interview with Tuoi Tre newspaper , Dr. Le Vu Tan - from the Andrology Department of Binh Dan Hospital (HCMC) - said that each month the department receives about 5-10 men aged 40-50 who request vasectomy to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

This number has increased significantly compared to five years ago when there was only one case per quarter.

"Although the majority of men in Vietnam believe that contraception is solely the woman's responsibility, they are unaware that they also have a responsibility to participate in and share these difficulties."

"In reality, when we advise men on contraception, many are still hesitant, thinking that this is a woman's responsibility and therefore doesn't need their attention. To date, many men have become more open and share some of the responsibility for contraception with their wives, including sterilization," Dr. Tan shared.

Men with progressive mindsets choose appropriate methods of contraception.

According to Dr. Vu Thai Hoang from the Urology Department of Military Hospital 175 (Ho Chi Minh City), the current mindset regarding contraception among men has become quite progressive, with a growing understanding of their own responsibility in this matter, instead of previously being solely attributed to women.

"Previously, men feared that vasectomy would affect their sex life and quality of life. With easier access to information, many people have learned about it and realized it's a safe method, so they are proactively using it to prevent pregnancy instead of their wives," Dr. Hoang explained.

Regarding male contraception methods, Dr. Tan stated that there are currently three main methods, listed in order from simplest to most complex: withdrawal (coitus interruptus), condom use, and surgical sterilization.

Methods such as implantation, spermicides, and hormone therapy to suppress testosterone are not yet mainstream and are still under research.

"There is no single best method of contraception for men. Depending on their circumstances, men will choose different methods of contraception. For example, couples who have already had enough children and do not want to have more can opt for sterilization surgery for permanent contraception," Dr. Tan further shared.

Dr. Hoang also stated that some contraceptive methods such as withdrawal, condom use, and spermicides inserted into the woman's body all carry the risk of unintended pregnancy. "Vasectomy helps men feel more at ease and also avoids harming their wives' health as they don't have to use pills, implants, or IUDs," Dr. Hoang said.

Regarding vasectomy, Dr. Hoang stated that it is currently the most effective contraceptive method for men when both partners have already had enough children and do not wish to have more.

A simple vasectomy procedure aims to cut off the pathway that carries sperm (sperm only makes up 2-5% of semen), preventing sperm produced in the testicles from traveling outside the body.

However, all functions, from testosterone production to ejaculation and orgasm, are maintained as before. If a man wishes to conceive naturally again, doctors will reconnect the vas deferens.

Male sterilization is not as "harmful" as many people think.

A urologist advises on male sterilization procedures - Photo: D. LIỄU

Dr. Ta Viet Cuong further explained that male sterilization does not affect a man's libido. This is because libido is determined by two substances in the body: the male hormone testosterone and the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Testosterone is primarily produced in the testicles, with a small amount in the adrenal glands, and is not affected by the vas deferens. Furthermore, erectile function is also unrelated to the vas deferens.

"In reality, male sterilization is not what men imagine; it's a simple procedure lasting about 10-15 minutes. Doctors will make a small incision of about 0.5-1 cm on each side of the scrotum after administering local anesthesia. The vas deferens will be exposed under the skin and then 'locked' shut."

Before the procedure, men will receive a local anesthetic to prevent pain and will then be instructed to take anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication for several days. Most men can return to their light daily activities immediately afterward.

"Compared to female sterilization, male sterilization is much gentler. While female sterilization requires doctors to perform the procedure through the abdominal cavity, and women must be hospitalized afterward, male sterilization only requires intervention on the outside of the scrotum, and patients can go home the same day," Dr. Cuong explained.

According to Dr. Cuong, unless complete abstinence from sexual intercourse is practiced, no contraceptive method is more effective than vasectomy in preventing pregnancy. The failure rate is very low, 0.02-0.2%. Furthermore, sterilization is also the most economical option for long-term contraception.

In cases where couples wish to have children after male sterilization, in addition to vasectomy reversal, sperm retrieval surgery can be performed for artificial insemination.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bi-quyet-tranh-thai-tu-nam-gioi-2024100222424679.htm