Uncertainties in the sterilization of the man

Vasectomy: Sterilization can be reversed, but causes an increased prostate cancer risk

07/14/2014

The vasectomy (sterilization of the man) has become significantly more important as a method of contraception in recent years. But there are still many uncertainties here - especially with regard to imminent health consequences and the options for a later desire to have children. Recent reports of an increase in the risk of prostate cancer following vasectomy have raised additional doubts about this method of contraception.

More and more couples have decided in recent years for a sterilization of the man as a method of contraception, since it makes do without the permanent intake of hormones and the threatening side effects compared to the anti-baby pill seem relatively small. In the course of the vasectomy, the vas deferens of the man are severed and sperm can no longer be released. Theoretically, the procedure can be undone again. The so-called refertilization takes place in a microsurgical operation, in which the vas deferens (vasovasostomy) are reconnected or connected to an epididymal canal (vaso-epididymostomy), reports the news magazine „Focus Online“. The fertility can usually be completely restored in this way.

Increased heavy prostate cancer after vasectomy
Finally, with the help of refertilization, there is the option of giving birth again to children after the vasectomy, which may result in many couples losing their insecurity. The evidence for a possible increase in the risk of prostate cancer, which results from a prospective study in the „Journal of Clinical Oncology“ but raise new doubts about the safety of this method of contraception. The connection was especially marked in aggressive tumors, reports „German Medical Journal“ citing the recent study by US scientist Lorelei Mucci of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. She had noticed an increase in the probability of prostate cancer by ten percent. As a database, Mucci's team used just under 50,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, with more than 6,000 of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1986 and 2010.

Further studies on prostate cancer risk required after vasectomies
The correlation between prostate cancer risk and vasectomy was relatively low from an epidemiological point of view, but significant overall, reports „German Medical Journal“. In addition, the relationship has been proven in one of the highest quality cohorts. After sterilization, the risk of so-called low-grade tumor has not increased, but the risk of high-grade carcinoma (Gleason score 8 to 10) has increased in sterilized men by as much as 22 percent, writes the Journal. In addition, men are more likely to suffer from fatal cancer after vasectomy. What this relationship is due to, is not clear in the current study. Here, more research seems urgently needed to arrive at a final assessment. (Fp)