But the waiting list is long - patients are currently waiting around a year on average for the surgery. After the first consultation, a patient is offered a sixteen-week reflection period.
This reflection period is necessary, although it does not have to be quite so long, says urologist Dr Roller. “It’s designed to give the patient time to consider the procedure after that first consultation with a doctor in case they want to rethink their plans. However, as the majority of patients are having to wait so long just to get to that first consultation, I think in most cases they have already made their minds up and are unlikely to reconsider.”
The decision to undergo a permanent procedure such as a vasectomy, to prevent future children, should not be taken lightly, the doctor adds. It is also rare but not out of the question for a doctor to refuse a vasectomy because they believe the patient is inadequately informed.
Vasectomies are considered to be definitive as there is no guarantee the procedure can be reversed. But what alternatives are available? There are condoms, which are not irreversible contraceptives, but may still cost money. Contraceptive methods are frequently viewed as being for women, but men should also take control of their own contraception.
RTL interviewed a father of two who said he was ready to undergo the procedure after the birth of his second child, as he and his partner decided their family was complete.
“It’s more complex for a woman to undergo a permanent procedure like this,” he said. “My wife has already had to go through pregnancy and it would be an easier procedure for me.”
The operation itself takes around 20 minutes on average. Patients are required to submit sperm samples after three months to test whether the procedure has been successful. There is a small risk of infection but in most cases patients are able to resume normal activities once the pain has subsided a few days later.
Dr Roller says the majority of his patients are aged between their mid thirties and mid forties and frequently already have children.
More information on contraceptives can be found at www.macontraception.lu
