I decided to share this in the US Politics thread, as well, because from my perspective it is a subject that should be discussed. The current health reform bill debates are hotly discussing abortion, with the understanding that the next item on the chopping block is contraception (at least from certain groups *sigh*) -- but funny this...vasectomies were not mentioned. While this article is informative in nature, the political question was one that I continued to ponder from a different scope than I addressed within the article. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

I wonder what people who are shouting for yanking away the choice for women's reproductive benefits, think of vasectomies?! - Rene Wirtz

I think it's a mixed bag. There are a lot of misconceptions about vasectomies all by itself without any political implication. However, as applicable to contraception, I suspect certain groups think of it as just as much of a "sin" as any contraceptive choice afforded to women. Not to put too fine a point on it, I suspect it doesn't come up too much in discussion because men have always benefited historically from having the freedom of choice...*shrug* Just my thoughts. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

I would imagine it isn't talked about much because it isn't thought about much. Most contraceptives are temporary, and therefor the main focus is availability. Vasectomies and hysterectomies are permanent contraception, so once it's done there's not much to say. There are medical reasons for a woman to have a hysterectomy, so I doubt there would be too much attention put on them. Vasectomies I think would be something men don't want to talk about because it makes them squeamish. - Heather

That's an interesting perspective - though I will say I don't equate hysterectomy with vasectomy. Hysterectomy is *removal* of specific reproductive parts that also can result in enormous hormonal changes -- I equate vasectomy in men with tubal ligation in women. Still yet, comparatively, the permanent contraceptive surgery is *so* much safer for men...it surprises me that given a choice between the two, there would ever be a question at all. With my ex? Pffft...his answer was that he would *never* consider something that would make him "less of a man"...which *made* him less of a man, as it happens. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

Kind of weird that vasectomies fly under the radar despite their effectiveness as birth control and inherent squickiness for guys. Maybe political types assume that a REAL AMERICAN MAN wouldn't want one? - John (a.k.a. dendroica)

I strongly suspect that is a greater likelihood, actually. Birth control, like everything related to pregnancy, has pretty much been consigned to women since the dawn of time. *shrug* Funny, though, how little a vasectomy actually changes *anything* in a man...(pun unintended)...the ONLY thing it changes is sperm-ability to escape the body...lol - ProsePetals (aka Denise)