Doctors warned Anh Hung's wife faced a risk of uterine rupture if she were to become pregnant again due to scars from her two C-sections. The couple considered sterilization to avoid an unintended pregnancy. Continuing surgical intervention on the wife's abdomen, especially with existing surgical scars, could increase the risk of complications, prompting Anh Hung to choose a vasectomy.

According to Doctor Nguyen Ngoc Tan, a specialist in urology and andrology at Tam Anh Hanoi General Hospital, male sterilization through vasectomy is a simple, minimally invasive, and long-lasting procedure. This method involves the vas deferens, which are the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. The procedure is quick, typically taking about 30 minutes, allowing patients to return home the same day and resume normal activities soon after. In contrast, female sterilization often requires invasive abdominal surgery, sometimes necessitating general anesthesia, and carries more potential risks, especially for women who have undergone multiple C-sections or have co-existing medical conditions.

Doctor Tan performing a sterilization procedure for a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Tan performing a sterilization procedure for a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Anh Hung received local anesthesia during the procedure. Afterward, doctors provided instructions on proper personal care and advised him to continue using additional contraception until a semen analysis confirmed the absence of sperm.

Doctor Tan advises couples to select a long-term contraceptive method based on their health status and circumstances. Many families still assume the wife is the one to undergo sterilization, even though a vasectomy can be a safer option for men in certain situations. Furthermore, some hormonal birth control methods for women, including emergency contraception and long-term pills, can cause side effects such as weight gain, menstrual disorders, headaches, or breast tenderness. People should seek examination and consultation at a hospital before choosing a suitable method.

Some men hesitate to undergo sterilization due to concerns about its impact on physiological function and sexual life. However, a vasectomy does not diminish libido, erectile function, or the quality of sexual life, as the testicles continue to produce testosterone hormones normally. After a vasectomy, men can maintain sexual activity as before, with absolute and long-term contraceptive effectiveness.

Thu Giang

*Patient's name has been changed