This issue of Population Reports can help managers of family planning and reproductive health programs to: Identify and address the barriers that discourage men from choosing vasectomy; Improve the quality of vasectomy services by adopting the safest and most effective surgical techniques; Select effective communication channels and design persuasive messages to promote vasectomy; Compare and assess different approaches to delivering vasectomy services; Develop training programs for providers who counsel clients on vasectomy and providers who perform the procedure; Plan how to introduce and

Having a vasectomy is quick and easy. The steps are as follows: Registering at the clinic; Meeting with a counselor to learn more about vasectomy and other family planning methods and to make sure vasectomy is the right choice; An injection of medicine that prevents pain but does not cause sleep; A small opening is made in the scrotum, and the tubes inside are blocked; Leaving the clinic, usually in less than an hour. The tubes inside the scrotum are cut and blocked in a vasectomy.

 This report examines how timely developments have opened up opportunities for promoting vasectomy, an extremely effective but rarely used family planning method.  One of the safest and most effective contraceptive methods, vasectomy involves a single minor surgical procedure that usually takes no more than 10 minutes.  There is little risk of complications involved with this permanent contraceptive method, and the procedure has no long-term effects on the man's health or sexual performance.  Despite the great advantages offered by

This review on vasectomy examines operating methods, effectiveness, short- and longterm side effects, prospects for reversal, prevalence, and program issues. Although vasectomy is 1 of the safest, simplest, and most effective methods of contraception, it has been neglected in much of the world and even where it has been widespread the number of procedures has been declining. The tendency to blame low prevalence of vasectomy on male attitudes is changing to a focus on the negative attitudes of family planning providers. 4 countries, the US, UK, India, and China, account

The current status of the reversibility of the effects of vasectomy is reported. A very small percentage of vasectomized men seek restorati on of fertility. Among those who do, remarriage after divorce or death of wife, death of a child, improved economic situation, and psychological considerations of adverse effects from vasectomy are the most often cited reasons. A successful reversibility technic may increase the popularity and acceptability of vasectomy, and could help remove some of the religious and cultural objections to vasectomy. The techni

Complications that may occur after vasectomy and their management ar e discussed. Local infections and systemic blood disorders are the majo r contraindications to vasectomy. Inguinal hernia, orchiopexy, hydrocel e, variocele, preexisting scrotal lesions, or a thick, tough scrotum may make vasectomy difficult to perform. Skin discoloration, swelling, and pain are the most common, and the least serious, complications associated with vasectomy. Postoperative pain and swelling can be reduced by prior treatment with steroids. Treatment with an oral enzyme (Chymora

This bibliography with abstracts represents a preliminary compilation of periodical articles, papers, book chapters, abstracts, and personal communications reporting on male and female sterilization - surgical procedures, legal issues, and new developments - during 1970, 1971, and 1972. Animal studies have not been included except where tests or experimental methods may have a direct relevance for human use. An expanded data base, fully indexed, will be available for computerized retrieval later in the year.

This is an extensive report on vasectomy or male sterilization, an increasingly popular form of voluntary family planning. Included in the report are the history, preoperative preparation, anesthesia, procedure, postoperative care, equipment, and effectiveness of the vasectomy. Also included is an extensive bibliography. The operation involves the cutting or blocking of each vas deferens, the 2 tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis. Through a small incision in the scrotum the surgeon cuts, ties, coagulates, and/or clips the vasa. Local anesthesia

This short monograph was prepared in an effort to assist the Second International Conference on Voluntary Sterilization, February 25 - March 1, 1973, in Geneva. In view of the uncertain state of the world's laws on voluntary contraceptive sterilization, it is hoped that this monograph, by pointing out the facts of the situation as it exists, may lead to some improvement. The Conference provides an excellent opportunity to draw attention to the facts.