Abstract
Male sterilization (vasectomy) is the most effective form and only long-acting form
of contraception available to men in the United States. Compared to female sterilization,
it is more efficacious, more cost-effective, and has lower rates of complications.
Despite these advantages, in the United States, vasectomy is utilized at less than
half the rate of female sterilization. In addition, vasectomy is least utilized among
black and Latino populations, groups with the highest rates of female sterilization.
This review provides an overview of vasectomy use and techniques, and explores reasons
for the disparity in vasectomy utilization in the United States.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 11, 2010
Accepted:
August 25,
2010
Received in revised form:
August 25,
2010
Received:
June 10,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.