The number of men who had vasectomies increased 26 percent between 2014 and 2021, a new study from researchers at the University of Chicago found.
The researchers — who said the findings reflect a “remarkable surge” — decided to look into the subject in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision to see if anticipation of abortion restrictions increased interest in vasectomies in the preceding years. Vasectomies are a form of male birth control that “cuts the supply of sperm to semen,” according to the Mayo Clinic. The procedure is done by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm. Vasectomies are considered permanent, but vasectomy reversals are sometimes possible.
Researchers used commercial health insurance claims data to calculate the annual vasectomy rate among U.S. men between the ages of 18-64. The study found that the percentage of all male…
