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Here is an article about the big ‘S’, interesting one…
http://www.herald.ie/lifestyle/health-b … 93405.html
Not a lot of people know this, but the poet WB Yeats had a vasectomy. So did Sigmund Freud. In the 1920s and ’30s it was widely believed that the snip was a boost to the libido.
"It’s complete nonsense, of course," says Dr John O’Keeffe of the Morehampton Clinic. "But back then there was this idea that a vasectomy stopped a man from spilling vital fluids, thereby putting more lead in the pencil."
Nowadays, people opt for vasectomies for family-planning reasons, according to Dr O’Keeffe. Actor Jerry O’Connell has said in the past that he considered getting a vasectomy after the birth of his twin daughters with wife Rebecca Romijn.
"I thought it [having kids] was going to be a lot easier than it actually was. I thought I’ll just slap some diapers on, throw some food in them and that would be it. I thought it would be like one of our dogs," said O’Connell in a recent interview with website PopEater.
"Will we have more? No, that’s it. I took one of my dogs to the vet the other day and I was really considering going in and getting fixed myself," he said.
While you can get a vasectomy on the Medical Card, if you don’t fall into that bracket, you have to pay the full cost. Medical insurance will not cover any part of the cost, which is something of a bugbear with John O’Keeffe.
"I write to VHI and Quinn and the various companies every year to recommend it, and every year I get replies in the negative. They should because it’s an awful lot cheaper to pay for a vasectomy than an unwanted pregnancy."
While recent statistics show that more and more men are seeking vasectomy reversals in the UK, there are no figures to suggest the same is happening in Ireland.
"The vast majority of men who come back for reversals are those who have split up with the partner they were with when they had the procedure and are now with another woman," says John O’Keeffe.
Richard Kavanagh’s experience bears this out. He underwent a vasectomy eight years ago when he was 41 after he and his wife decided they didn’t want any more children. A few years later they went through a separation.
"That was the only time I felt doubtful about it," he says. "I was worried about meeting someone new, in case it turned out to be a problem." "The sooner after a vasectomy the reversal is done, the higher the rate of success," says Dr O’Keeffe, "But the nature of it is that it might be five or six years that somebody might ask for a reversal. Marriage split ups take time, deciding to have more children with another partner takes more time. The success rate at this stage is about 50pc."
Ultimately, Richard believes it was the right decision. "Bringing up children isn’t easy — especially when they get to be teenagers. I certainly didn’t want to face into having teenagers when I was 60."
According to Dr John O’Keeffe, Ireland and the UK are unusual in that GPs can carry out vasectomies: "In America, for instance, you would have to go to a specialist. But not here.
"It’s a tricky operation to start with, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward. For the patient, the procedure begins with counselling, which has two aspects to it. One is the doctor talking with the man or the couple about the rationale for doing it. If you think you possibly might like more children, then it’s not good. It’s for couples who are absolutely 100pc sure they don’t want any more kids.
"If there is disagreement between the couple about whether to get a vasectomy, it is probably not a great idea to go through with it."
The doctor then gives the patient a DVD which explains the mechanics of the operation, what can go wrong, what to expect after the procedure and so on.
"A local anaesthetic is usually used," says Dr O’Keeffe. "It’s a small injection and not into the testicle. It’s a good two inches above. It’s exactly the same anaesthetic that dentists use. There’s a little discomfort, the same as when you are having a filling done and then the area goes numb and you won’t feel anything."
"I was a bit worried about it," says Richard. "Anything that’s going to fiddle with you down below is a matter of concern. But I was in and out in 20 minutes and the whole thing was painless. However I did feel a bit tender for a couple of months. It wasn’t pain, but more a slight discomfort that was always there."
"There’s a bit of discomfort," Dr O’Keeffe agrees. "But we did a survey on this and, very much to my surprise, half of the respondents didn’t use painkillers at all."
The doctor warns that just because you’ve had the procedure, it’s not a good idea to start having sex without contraception immediately. "Patients don’t get the all-clear until three months afterwards, when a sperm count is taken. Until then, it’s not certain whether the sperm is viable or not."
Richard advises any couples who are fully sure they don’t want any more children to take the plunge. "I have absolutely no regrets," he says. "Not having to worry about contraception has made our sex life so much easier, and better."
– Brian Finnegan
Quote: "It’s a tricky operation to start with, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward. 😆 😆 😆 I see a niche market here…
On a serious note: I didn’t realise that you couldn’t claim on your medical insurance! It’s hardly an aesthetic procedure!
Didnt know you couldnt claim either…. for any newly unemployed people out there with a medical card, use it now while you have it and book you dh’s snip for xmas 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
I said to my dh a few years ago he could get it done in a few years and the was NO WAY!!! 🙄has anyone’s husband had this done, it would be nice to hear some men talk about it and reassure anyone thinking about it that its not the worst pain in the world….
Just try having a baby lads or even worse, gallstones, thats way more painful than childbirth and surely worse than a little snip!!!
I found it easier than going to the Dentist! When you weigh it up, compared to your partner going through labour (and the rest!) small price to pay to do your fair share! Many friends have had them as well and all say basically the same thing, have had hangovers that made them suffer more than the vasectomy! Hope that helps 😉
Well ladies, if you’re trying to persuade your other half about the snip….just show them this thread – easier than going to the dentist , I love that!!! 😆
When you weigh it up, compared to your partner going through labour (and the rest!) small price to pay to do your fair share!
Will you marry me???????
What a thought full man..and here’s me thinking all men are ignorant pigs 😆 or maybe thats just mine 😆
When you weigh it up, compared to your partner going through labour (and the rest!) small price to pay to do your fair share!
Will you marry me???????
What a thought full man..and here’s me thinking all men are ignorant pigs 😆 or maybe thats just mine 😆
HMM thats a terrible thing to say!!!!………………… how dare you leave my dh off that list!!! 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
much easier for men to get done
Will you marry me???????
What a thought full man..and here’s me thinking all men are ignorant pigs 😆 or maybe thats just mine :lol:[/quote]
LOL!! Would love to but think I might be breaking a law or two! 😉
Ah there’s still a few good ones out there…..we just don’t make the news as much lol 😉
But seriously….how can a guy not jump at the idea to balance things out after what his partner went through?? The whole thing is less torturous than watching Wagner perform on x-factor lol !
lol 😉
Watch it?? I was supposed to audition for it 2 years ago but was out of the country! lol
Unfortunately, no mystery when you deal with the public in Drogheda most of the time calling to homes for appointments or the "info coffee meetings".
Who’d have thought we’d get from the snip to x-factor!? 😉
You can call to my house for an appointment any day 😆 😆 😆 😆 😉 😉
No seriously its lovely to hear such a thoughtfull guy..I think if I said to my Husband oh go and get the snip ..I went through Child Birth so you can do that he would tell me to go and juuuuuuuuuuump 😆
oh interesting one…i think getting the snip done you have to very sure that there is no way you want kids….
my mom said before to my dad about getting the snip, he was like eh no, but mom said to him i can’t go through having more kids please, it’s that or stay away…he was happy to go get it done…just as he was to go get it done my mom changed her mind and said, maybe i’ll get tubes tied i know i don’t want kids but perhaps if i were to die and you wanted kids with a new wife you might regret having the snip….
nearly 40years later he’s still waiting for his new wife…. 😆 😆 😆we talked about this too, and dh would be happy to get it done after what i went through (but too young to get it done now)…i was actually going to get tubes lasered away after section but never followed through with enquiry etc etc….but the option of the snip is there simple little job and then afterwards he can have all the fun he wants to the moon and back….. 😆
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