A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF 108 VASECTOMIZED MEN

Contraceptive sterilization of men and women was made legal in Sweden in 1976. Males presently account for approximately 20% of the 8-10,000 people sterilized yearly in the country. Only few long-term follow-up s have been performed on Swedish men. Since 1983 preoperative counsell ing of men has been available in the county of Blekinge at family plan ning clinics. Prior to this counselling was available only at urologic or surgical departments. To evaluate long term satisfaction and the n ew counselling possibilities, all men vasectomized in Blekinge during 1985-1986 (n = 108) were investigated by a mailed questionnaire 2 year s and 7 years after the operation. Response rates were 98% after 2 yea rs and 96% after 7 years. 93% of the responding men were satisfied wit h their vasectomy when asked after 2 years. 95% reported satisfaction 5 years later. Problems mentioned concerned sexual performance, long l asting pain, and wanting children in new relationships. Regret was not encountered among the 25% who had been counselled at family planning centers.