Relationship between Vasectomy and Sexual Frequency

Abstract

Introduction Men who are considering vasectomy as a means of contraception may have significant anxiety about their future sexual potency. As a result, couples may choose other forms of contraception with lower efficacy. Aim We sought to determine the relationship between vasectomy and the frequency of sexual intercourse. Methods We analyzed data from cycles 6 (2002) to 7 (2006–2008) of the National Survey of Family Growth to compare the frequency of sexual intercourse of men who had undergone vasectomy with men who had not. Analysis was performed using data from male and female responders, and excluded men who had never had sex and those below age 25. We constructed a multivariate logistic regression model to adjust for demographic, socioeconomic, reproductive, and health factors. Main Outcome Measure The main outcome measure was the sexual frequency in the last 4 weeks. Results Among male responders, a total of 5838 men met criteria for our study; 353 had undergone vasectomy. For vasectomized men, the average frequency of sexual intercourse was 5.9 times per month compared with 4.9 times for nonvasectomized men. After adjusting for age, marital status, race, education, health, body mass index, children, and income, vasectomized men had an 81% higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI] 6–201%) of having intercourse at least once a week compared with nonvasectomized men. A total number of 5211 female respondents reported 670 of their partners had undergone vasectomy. For partners of vasectomized men, the average frequency of intercourse was 6.3 times per month, compared with 6.0 times for partners of nonvasectomized men. After adjustment, women with vasectomized partners had a 46% higher odds (95% CI 5–103%) of having sexual intercourse at least once a week compared with women with nonvasectomized partners (P = 0.024). Conclusion Vasectomy is not associated with decreased sexual frequency. This finding may be helpful to couples as they consider contraceptive options.

Prevalence and predictors of sexual function in midlife partnered Chinese women assessed by two simple indicators: Sexual frequency and sexual desire

“…Responses were used a two‐point scale ranging from ‘less than once per week’ to ‘at least once per week’. The decline in sexual frequency was defined by ‘less than once per week’ . Sexual desire was described on a scale from 1 to 10 (1means least, 10 means most) according to the subjective responses of participants, which was defined as a feeling that includes wanting to have a sexual experience, feeling receptive to a partner's sexual initiation and thinking or fantasizing about having sex according to the FSFI.…”

“…The decrease of hormone in menopause influence sexual desire, and this decrease is also associated with vaginal atrophy, and vaginal atrophy produces unpleasant sexual experience, thus leading to the decline of sexual frequency, further triggering a disruption in the sexual response cycle . Therefore, A few studies have applied sexual frequency, sexual desire to be indicators of sexual dysfunction . Compared to structural questionnaires, sexual frequency is easy to be remembered by midlife women, and sexual desire can be easily and quickly obtained by the subjective responses, which could be simple tools for evaluating sexual function for middle‐aged women.…”

Vasectomy and male sexual dysfunction risk

“…[ 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 20 ] Their female partners reported marked improvements in terms of sexual arousal, satisfaction, and orgasm, as well as lubrication and libido. In addition, Guo et al [ 9 ] showed that men who had undergone a vasectomy experienced more instances of sexual contact per month than men who had not undergone a vasectomy.…”

“…[ 8 ] A key factor may be the anxiety of women about unwanted pregnancies was reduced, and women's libido improved somewhat, and they were more willing to cooperate with men in sex. [ 9 ]…”

Pre- and postvasectomy counseling: strategies to improve patient knowledge

“…[29][30][31] The most recent survey of the NSFG from 2006 to 2008 even examined sexual frequency among men who had undergone vasectomy, finding that the average frequency of sexual intercourse was not significantly different for those who had a vasectomy compared to those who had not received a vasectomy (5.9 times per month vs 4.9 times per month, respectively). 32 Furthermore, men may appreciate that surveys of female partners before and after their partners' receipt of vasectomy showed significant improvements in female sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, lubrication, and satisfaction, possibly related to the confidence that they would not get pregnant. 33…”