Dr. Erik Randall Huber, FEBU, FECSM
Dr. Erik Randall Huber worked for many years as a senior physician at the Korneuburg Hospital, is on the board of the Multidisciplinary Committee of Sexual Medicine (MJCSM), and is responsible for the quality of urological training throughout Europe as a board member of the European Urology (EBU). Since 2012, he has been running the Urology Center in the 20th district of Vienna.
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Dr. Huber, you have long been advocating that men should finally take responsibility for contraception. Don't they do that?
No, unfortunately, it is still the women in Austria who bear the greatest responsibility when it comes to contraception. In other countries, they are sometimes further along. Especially in long-term relationships and after completing their family planning, it has become very easy for men to take on a significant role in contraception. Instead of placing the burden on their partner or constantly having to think about mood-killing condoms, men can fully take on the responsibility for contraception on their own after completing their family planning through a minor procedure called a vasectomy.
Is there another type of contraception for men besides condoms or vasectomy?
Much has already been tried, such as the "pill for men" or a gel for the vas deferens. Unfortunately, none of the methods have shown the desired success so far. -
Where is the big difference between a vasectomy in men and sterilization in women?
There is a big difference for the body and health whether a "woman" takes hormones in the form of the pill or a coil for years or undergoes a complex operation under general anesthesia for sterilization, or whether a "man" has his vas deferens severed in the form of a small 15-minute outpatient procedure. There are no hormonal changes in the man.
Are you saying that a vasectomy has no negative effects on a man's sex life?
Correct, the ability to have erections and orgasms is not negatively affected in any way. There are also no visible changes in ejaculation. On the contrary, recent studies have even shown that sexual satisfaction in men and women increases after a vasectomy. I therefore think that a vasectomy can be a win-win situation for both partners.
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A vasectomy is therefore a minor procedure. How can one envision this procedure exactly?
I perform these procedures using the modern "No Scalpel" or "non-invasive method." A small opening is made in the skin of the scrotum to sever, ligate, and coagulate the ends of the vas deferens. To achieve even greater security, I always sew connective tissue between both ends to prevent them from rejoining. I usually need less than 15 minutes for this.
Is there a reason to advise against a vasectomy?
As long as a man is under 25 years old and still wants to have children, he must postpone this issue. In Austria, a vasectomy can only be performed at the age of 25. After that, there is generally no reason to advise against it.