Family Planning

Who Can Have a VasectomySafe for All MenWith proper counseling and informed consent, any man can have avasectomy safely, including men who:óóóóóóóHave no children or few childrenAre not marriedDo not have wife’s permissionAre youngHave sickle cell diseaseAre at high risk of infection with HIV or another STIAre infected with HIV, whether or not on antiretroviral therapy (seeVasectomy for Men with HIV, p. 188).In some of these situations, especially careful counseling is important tomake sure the man will not regret his decision (see Female Sterilization,Because Sterilization Is Permanent, p. 174).Men can have a vasectomy:óóóóóWithout any blood tests or routine laboratory testsWithout a blood pressure checkWithout a hemoglobin testWithout a cholesterol or liver function checkEven if the semen cannot be examined by microscope later to see if stillcontains sperm.186 Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers