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.