Enquiries for vasectomies in the UK has shot up by a whopping 164% in the past 12 months, according to new research from private healthcare search engine, WhatClinic.com.
Health on Female First
Vasectomy reversals are also on the rise, with searches almost doubling in the past 12 months. Although vasectomies are relatively quick and pain free procedures carried out under local anesthetic, vasectomy reversals can take up to three hours under a general anesthetic and recovery time is usually seven to ten days.
WhatClinic.com surveyed surgeons and found that the most common age of men opting for a vasectomy is 41-45, although one in three are under 35. The youngest request for a vasectomy came from an 18-year-old and the oldest was well into his seventies. When it comes to vasectomy reversals, the youngest patient treated by the surgeons polled was 21 and the oldest 66.
Nearly all of the surgeons asked cited the most common reason for vasectomy reversals as patients wanting to start a family with a new partner, following a divorce or separation.
Vasectomies are available free of charge on the NHS, although waiting lists can be several months which is why some men opt to go private. Private vasectomies cost an average of £515, while vasectomy reversals cost £2,582 – and aren’t available on the NHS.
Outside the UK, the Republic of Ireland has seen the largest number of searches for vasectomies in the past 12 months – up more than a third on last year – followed by India and Australia. For vasectomy reversals, India tops the tables and has seen a 31% increase, followed by Spain and Mexico.
Caelen King, CEO of WhatClinic.com, comments: “There has been a significant increase in enquiries for vasectomies over the past year, as more men opt for this a permanent form of contraception.
“Vasectomy reversals are available but they are not always effective, so think carefully before you go under the knife. Although it might be the right decision now, you never know what might happen further down the line so it is not a decision to be made lightly.
“Do your research and find the option that is right for you and your partner. If you do decide to go ahead with the operation, make sure you find a clinic you are comfortable with and always read patient reviews.”
Amongst women in the UK, tubal ligation, also known a sterilisation, has seen 49% increase in the past 12 months, while traffic across clinics globally has almost tripled. This procedure requires the patient to undergo a general anesthetic before two incisions are made to allow the fallopian tubes to be severed or clamped. Tubal ligation is 99% affective and patients can usually return home from hospital on the same day.
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