this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
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This article is primarily about market hurdles to a male contraceptive.

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[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 14 points 1 year ago

So, in other words, because it's risky, companies don't want to do it.

It sucks that capitalism doesn't allow men to have full control to their reproduction (condoms suck, fail often, and many women are also not happy using them).

[–] TemporaryBoyfriend@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Just get a vasectomy and get it over with.

It's a low-risk, high reward procedure. One weekend of mild discomfort, sitting on the couch eating pizza and drinking beer, a couple more days of leaving your weiner alone, then a couple wanks to clear the pipes, and two post-vasectomy sperm tests, and you're in the clear* for the rest of your life.

  • Because I'm paranoid, I got a post-vasectomy sperm test every year for 5 years, and once every 5 years after that as part of my semi-annual checkup with my doctor.
[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I think you're understating it. While the op was pretty painless. The wound care can be a little stressful.

It is a permanent procedure and one really needs to consider if they are happy to go that route. Reversals have a high reversal failure rate that get worse over time. Can not be counted upon. Even if you freeze sperm, IVF is never a guarantee, and not all women are comfortable with it.

Of course, I did this, and absolutely have no regrets. Probably one of the better decisions I have made. Anxiety has gone, and I feel somewhat safe.

I didn't really want to take the permanent route, but had no other choice the was safe. Condom failure rate is high, and trust in regards to other methods is just too much. You want to have full control over your reproduction.

[–] TemporaryBoyfriend@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Most (good) urologists offer "no-scalpel" vasectomies these days - the incision is extraordinarily small, requires no stitches, heals quickly, and with a bare minimum amount of care (relax for a weekend, and daily cleaning and applying an antibiotic gel) you should be healed up in 7-10 days. Yes, you still need contraception for 6 to 8 weeks (until the tests come back clear) but after that, it's smooth sailing.

[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I had a no scalpel vasectomy. My wound took about 3 weeks for me to feel comfortable. I had doubts after 2 weeks, but it eventually got there. They don't unnecessarily give out antibiotics here. It was a case of water to clean and keep it dry. I ended up using antiseptic cleaning fluid for the last week or so.

Here in the UK, they say 12 weeks minimum, and the test for all clear is after 16 weeks, but that's probably a little safer and in these situations, I ain't taking any gambles. Imagine knocking someone up 9 weeks after a vasectomy. Could be soul destroying.

[–] CADmonkey@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It was literally the leat painful doctor visit I've had. Laid flat on my back for a day, and then I was running around like normal two days later. Before I got the surgery done people were telling me how horrible I'd be feeling and I'd never enjoy sex again, and I wonder where so many people got such bad info.

[–] theragu40@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The stories you got were extreme, but mine was no walk in the park either.

I had to request more anaesthetic during the procedure because I could feel way too much of what was happening. That was endurable but extremely unpleasant.

Recovery wise I was up and walking around relatively normally after 3 days or so. A week to feel mostly normal doing day to day tasks. A month before I felt really actually normal. 6 months before the scar was totally healed.

It seems extreme to suggest you'd never enjoy sex again. If that were true what would be the point of the procedure? It was two weeks or so before we gave it a go, and it was great.

One weird thing with mine is that my first two samples came back positive. So I waited an extra two months then went in again and finally the tests came back negative.

Anyway my point isn't to discount what you're saying. But I think it's important to have as much anecdotal info out there as possible. The only regret I have is that they offered me a valium before the surgery and I turned it down. No idea why I did that but I'm sure my nervousness contributed to how stressful the whole ordeal was and that could have been avoided had it not been for my own hubris.

[–] ProperlyProperTea@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

This doesn't help if I don't want kids now but know I want them later

[–] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That isn't a good situation to be in but completely understandable. I don't envy you. The treadrope of finding people to trust and always having to guard and protect yourself is not fun.

[–] Jayb151@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

I mean, you're not considering people who would want to have children later.