Vasectomy and Prostate Cancer

Posted on July 26, 2008

One scare story about vasectomy is that it causes prostate cancer. This began when two new studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that men who had a vasectomy more than 20 years earlier faced an 89 percent greater risk of prostate cancer than those who have not undergone the procedure.

Although the studies were scientifically designed, experts say it is still too early to establish a cause and effect relation瑂hip. The World Health Organization said more studies are needed before any conclusions can be drawn since three others studies found no relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer.

Men who undergo vasectomy probably expect it to be a foolproof method of birth control. While this is true in most cases, a vasectomy can sometimes fail for a variety of reasons. In one percent of cases, the severed vas deferens (the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis) rejoins itself.

And even if the operation is a complete success, unprotected intercourse is not advised for a while since sperm may still be present above the part where the tubes were cut. The best way to be sure about your vasectomy is to have your semen tested for the presence of sperm every now and then.

“The failure rate for a vasectomy is less than one percent. But your vasectomy is no immediate guarantee against pregnancy because of the sperm stored above the part where the vas deferens was cut. Thus, your physician will want to test your ejaculate for sperm. Generally, in most men the semen becomes sperm-free after eight to 10 ejacula瑃ions following the vasectomy. Until your physician has determined that your ejaculate does not contain sperm, you should continue to use contraception,” said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the “Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.”

Can a vasectomy be reversed? Some couples may decide to have children later and may approach the doctor regarding this. Putting back the cut vas deferens is possible but it is a difficult procedure that is not always successful.

Furthermore, the vast majority of men who have their vasectomies reversed cannot father children because their sperm are coated with antibodies which cannot penetrate cervical mucus nor fertilize eggs. For this reason, most doctors consider a vasectomy a permanent procedure.

“It is possible to reattach the vas deferens once it has been severed. Unlike the initial operation, however, the vasovasectomy requires the skill of a surgeon trained to work under the magnification of a powerful microscope. Moreover, this is not an office procedure but requires two to three days in the hospital,” Larson revealed.

“Approximately 80 to 90 percent of men who have their vasectomies reversed do ejaculate sperm. However, only 30 to 40 percent father children after the reversal. The reason for this discrepancy may be that as a result of vasectomy many men develop antibodies that fight their sperm,” Larson concluded. (Next: Tubal ligation.)

To enjoy sex in your later years, keep fit, eat right and love life. That simple advice can go a long way in preserving your sex life. For extra help, take Fematril, a safe and natural female sexual enhancer that can stimulate your mind and body. For details, go to http://www.fematril.com/.

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com

Article Author :Sharon_A_Bell

Last 6 posts in Prostate Cancer

Mesothelioma's Connection to Asbestosis

Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs. Its main cause is thought to be contact with asbestos. About 3000 new cases are reported every year in the United States, with about 8 million people having been exposed to asbestos in the last 50 years. Safety measures have been put into place in the last couple of decades so as to protect people from asbestos exposure; therefore, some think that the number of cases of mesothelioma will peak around 2020 and that it will begin to decline after that, since exposure to asbestos by then will… Continue reading

Supplements and Mesothelioma

There are real, although very limited, benefits of diet and supplements in supporting mesothelioma. There’s nothing to buy that would prevent this horrible form of cancer, although eating fresh vegetables seems to tie in to a reduction in the rate of development. More recently, the medical literature suggests that one B vitamin may at least make one form of chemo for mesothelioma less toxic.

Dr. H. L Kindler of the Hematology/Oncology Section at the University of Chicago Hospitals finds that medically supervised folic acid supplementation probably decreases the toxicity of pemetrexed (Alimta). The research absolutely, positively does not suggest that anyone… Continue reading

How to Find a Mesothelioma Attorney

Selecting the right mesothelioma lawyer can be a daunting task. In addition to the emotional strains and struggles you may be experiencing as a result of a mesothelioma diagnosis, it may feel like choosing an attorney for your legal case is too daunting. In this article we will explore how to find a mesothelioma attorney.

It is your responsibility and right to obtain the best legal advice you can when submitting a claim to the court for a mesothelioma negligence suit. Large sums of cash, potentially millions of dollars, are ultimately at stake and you don’t want to be unprepared for… Continue reading

Tags:

Related posts

» Filed Under Prostate Cancer

Comments

Leave a Reply