I found out there are about 6 alternatives for men when it comes to birth control.So yeah,men can take an action when it comes to that.This includes vasectomy,withdrawal,abstinence,condoms,spermicides and monitoring ovulation or fertility awareness.I must add that research is still ongoing to develop birth control pill for men.Probably,depending on your country of origin,it may already be in use.In Africa,religious beliefs play a key role in family planning as some religious denominations do not believe in birth control.Such was in the case of Mr.Danso and wife.Counselling,therefore,should be a gradual process taking in the other person's perspective and gradually but carefully incorporating yours.
WHAT IS BIRTH CONTROL FOR MEN?
These are methods that men can use to reduce the chance of pregnancy or prevent pregnancy. Some birth control options are temporary and non invasive.There are different reasons why people opt for birth control.To some,they are not just ready to make babies yet.To another group of people,they are done having babies and hence they are preventing another pregnancy.Others just want to have some intervals between their kids' ages.Whilst in other scenarios,their wives may be going through a terminal disease and so to reduce the burden of having to carry a baby,they opt for a birth control.Birth control for men basically work by preventing sperms from entering the vagina.
VASECTOMY
Let's talk about vasectomy.It is not really a popular procedure in some parts of Africa.Many African men believe that their functionality in being a man is being able to reproduce even in their old ages.Vasectomy is the only known 100 percent effective and permanent birth control for men.It is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure done by a doctor and there are several techniques for this procedure.Each technique works by preventing sperms from entering the vas deferens,a tube in which the sperms flow through to exit the penis.The tube or the vas deferens is cut or tied.Some vasectomies are reversible.It usually takes about 3 months for a vasectomy to become fully effective or 100% effective so a couple must use alternate sources of contraception during this time.Vasectomy does not impact sexual health.It suits those who do not want to have children and it has a high success rate.On the other hand,it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and may not suit those who may want to have children in the future.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A VASECTOMY?
1.When a person is in a relationship and both partners do not want any children.
2.When a person is in a relationship and their partner is having a health problem that would make pregnancy unsafe.
3.In a situation if one or both partner is having a genetic disease.
COMPLICATIONS OF VASECTOMY
1.Bleeding and bruising
2.Infection at the site
3.Sperm leaking from the vas deferens into the tissue around it and forming a small lump.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER VASECTOMY SURGERY.
1.You can resume sexual intercourse once pain and swelling subsides.
2.Your partner can still get pregnant until your sperm count is zero.
3.Till that,another birth control method(s) can be used,until you go for follow up semen analysis,6 weeks after vasectomy or 10 to 20 ejaculations.
5 MYTHS ABOUT VASECTOMIES
1.I stopped ejaculating after vasectomy.
The fluid or semen which comes out during ejaculation is made of sperms,fluid from the seminal vesicles and fluid from the prostate gland.The testes make the sperms and they make up less than 1 percent of the semen.The fluid from the seminal vesicles provide energy for the sperms and the fluid from the prostate gland makes up about 99 percent of the volume of the semen.
When the vas deferens are cut or tied,you would still be able to ejaculated.This is because it's only the sperms(which makes up less than 1 percent of the semen)which are no longer part.The main components of the semen which are from the prostate gland and cowpers gland are still part and functioning effectively.So after vasectomy,you would still be able to ejaculate.
2.I stopped making sperms after vasectomy.
Nothing happens to your sperms after vasectomy.Sperms are made by the testicles and are temporarily stored in the epididymis.The whole procedure of vasectomy targets your vas deferens and not the sperm production site which is the testicles.What happens to your sperms after vasectomy is just like what happens to a man weeks,months or years without ejaculating.Your sperms are reabsorbed by your body and are re-produced some other time.
3.Tubal ligation is easier.
Most men think when it comes to birth control,their wives should take care of that matter.Whilst it may be true that birth control or family planning is most dependent on women in heterosexual relationships,tubal ligation on the other hand is not an easy procedure.In tubal ligation,a woman's fallopian tube,that is,the tubes which are at the ends of the uterine cavity and are sites for fusion of the sperm and ovum,are cut or tied.When tied or cut,it's impossible for a sperm to fuse with an ovum.Comparing vasectomy and tubal ligation,whilst vasectomy is usually a short outpatient procedure mostly done with a local anesthetic,tubal ligation is an invasive procedure and long too.So vasectomy is more easier and quicker than tubal ligation.
4.Vasectomy causes cancer.
Whilst this is a relative risk,there is no established fact linking cancers and vasectomy.
5.Vasectomy will lower my testosterone.
Many men worry that vasectomy is going to kill or lower their sex drive and they won't have interest in sex anymore.The exact opposite is true.Vasectomy has little to no link with your testosterone levels.Testosterone are primarily made in the testicles and not the vas deferens(which is the passage way for sperms).Your testosterone are secreted into the blood stream through blood vessels.
CAN YOU GET A VASECTOMY UNDONE(VASECTOMY REVERSAL)?
The success rate of a vasectomy reversal is about 80 to 90 percent.Whilst vasectomy provides a permanent method of birth control,it can be reversed if you want to. Every man who has undergone a vasectomy is eligible for a vasectomy reversal.In the reversal,the previously cut or tied tubes(vas deferens) are untied and joined together again.But the longer you may have had the vasectomy done,the less likely the success of the reversal of the vasectomy.Other things that may cause a reversal not to work is an older wife(old age comes with reduced fertility) and the potential of the sperms to cause pregnancy.The sperms are not always good after reversal.Before vasectomy,you may want your doctor to get some of your sperms and freeze it.This mostly helps so that incase a vasectomy reversal fails,you may still have the chance to reproduce via in vitro fertilisation using your frozen sperms.
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR FERTILITY AFTER REVERSAL?
1.Eat healthy and balanced diets.This should include plenty of vegetables and fruits along with whole foods.A lot- fat high protein diet is a great way to increase yout fertility after the reversal.
2.Exercise at a steady rate.As your body begins to sweat during exercise,it begins to detoxify;therefore,your natural processes can increase in efficacy.
3.Avoid excessive heat to the testicular area.Wear loose fitting boxers instead of boxer briefs and avoid placing a laptop directly on your lap while you type.The less heat to your testicles,the better production you will witness.
4.Stop smoking and avoid smoke-filled areas.Smoking had been directly linked with a loss of sperm function.
5.Wait.It can take up to three months for sperm levels to begin operating at close to typical levels.Sometimes,the best option is patience;after a vasectomy reversal,you may simply need to wait three to six months for your full fertility levels to begin again.
In summary,vasectomy is not a scary procedure.It is a very short procedure with about 95 percent success rate.It is the only 100 percent effective and permanent birth control for men.The other methods does not guarantee 100 percent birth control and besides,they are temporary too.Most importantly,you could go for a vasectomy reversal anytime you wish.
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Men