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View all search resultsVasectomy debate highlights gender gap in family planning
While some see vasectomy as a way to ease the disproportionate contraceptive burden on women, others remain cautious, partly due to misconceptions equating it with castration, removal of testicular function, which is often associated with reduced hormones, libido and “loss of masculinity”.
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Stock illustration of vasectomy. (Courtesy of/Shutterstock)
D
espite facing skepticism, Andi Wijaya, 31, remains determined to undergo a vasectomy, viewing the permanent male sterilization procedure as a more equitable form of contraception with fewer health risks than hormonal birth control for women.
“I’ve been interested in [undergoing a vasectomy] since before marriage because I initially wanted to be child-free. But my wife and I were blessed with a child a year ago, and we now consider our family complete with just one child. That’s made us even more certain about the procedure,” he told The Jakarta Post earlier this month.
While Andi’s wife has not experienced noticeable side effects from using an intrauterine device (IUD) over the past four years, he acknowledged that the procedures involved in using such contraception were “uncomfortable” and could still affect the women’s body. “We are concerned about the health risks.”
He learned that a vasectomy is a minor procedure with relatively low health risks and no strong evidence of serious long-term effects.
“I believe women shouldn’t have to bear the burden or suffering when it comes to sex and contraception. With vasectomy, men don’t really suffer, so why not do it?” he said, expressing hope that the government would ease eligibility requirements for its free vasectomy program, which currently requires participants to be at least 35 years old and have two children.
Read also: Social, economic condition hinders Gen Z from having children: UN
A private vasectomy procedure can cost up to Rp 15 million (US$874), meaning he has to save up before undergoing it. Beyond financial barriers, Andi has also faced persistent social stigma, with widespread misconceptions, such as claims that vasectomy reduces sexual performance, discouraging many men.
