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  • Title: Should gynecologists perform vasectomies? Some say yes.
    Journal: Contracept Technol Update; 1990 Dec; 11(12):184-6. PubMed ID: 12317889.
    Abstract:
    A gynecologist in Durango, Colorado, suggests that gynecologists should perform vasectomies since they are much cheaper than tubal occlusions and pose fewer risks. Despite the advantages of vasectomy, women are almost twice as likely as men to undergo sterilization (1987, 640,000 vs. 336,000). The Colorado physician notes that gynecologists unconsciously prefer female sterilization, since they know how to perform them and derive income from performing them. Besides, family planning efforts are inclined to neglect males. A survey of 117 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reveals that he is not alone in these beliefs. 33% think doing vasectomies would benefit their patients. 90% address vasectomy with women who seek sterilization. 97% refer their patient's partner to other physicians. The medical director of Planned Parenthood of Sacramento Valley in California publicly supports the Colorado physician's views. Current barriers to gynecologists performing vasectomies include inexperience with male patients and present ACOG board certification restrictions on performing vasectomies. Yet, gynecologists already examine males for infertility reasons and can treat them for sexually transmitted diseases. The California physician hopes to learn how to do vasectomies under guidance of the university's Urology Department or of residents currently doing vasectomies for Planned Parenthood. Another gynecologist states that more procedure-doers are not needed because access to vasectomy is not an obstacle. Moreover, he claims that when someone trains to be a gynecologist, he/she agrees to limit one's practice to just the genitourinary system of females. A spokesperson for the Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception believes all gynecologists should clearly inform women of the option of vasectomy for male partners.
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