Doctors across the United States are reporting sharp rises in men seeking vasectomies following last week’s Supreme Court decision that eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.
Urologists told the Washington Post that more men are making appointments for the procedure for the purpose of avoiding pregnancy and preparing for the possibility of court rulings limiting contraception access.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS ADVANCE BILL WITH FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTIONS
“It was very, very noticeable Friday, and then the number that came in over the weekend was huge, and the number that is still coming in far exceeds what we have experienced in the past,” said Florida urologist Doug Stein.
Before the court’s decision was handed down Friday, Stein said he had been receiving between four and five patient requests per day. Since the decision was made public, that number has spiked to 12 to 18 requests daily.
“Many of the guys are saying that they have been thinking about a vasectomy for a while, and the Roe v. Wade decision was just that final factor that tipped them over the edge and made them submit the online registration,” Stein said.
Young men under 30 who do not have children are making up a considerable share of requests submitted to Stein’s practice, which he shares with his associate John Curington.
“I’d say at least 60 or 70% are mentioning the Supreme Court decision,” Curington said. “And a few of them have such sophistication as young men that they actually are thinking about Justice Thomas and his opinion that contraception may fall next. And that’s shocking. That’s something that doesn’t enter into our conversations ever, until this week.”
Doctors in several other states, including California, New York, and Iowa, also confirmed to the Washington Post that they have seen a jump in patients requesting vasectomies. For instance, Los Angeles urologist Philip Werthman reported a “300 to 400%” increase in the number of vasectomy consultations he has performed since the draft opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization leaked in early May, indicating that the court was intent on overturning the right to an abortion.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The number of searches for “vasectomy near me” has hit an all-time high since Roe v. Wade was overturned, according to Google Trends. The search had already been growing in popularity since the draft leaked in May.
A vasectomy is a form of permanent sterilization in which a doctor blocks the patient’s sperm from flowing through the vas deferens and combining with semen. The procedure is generally quick and noninvasive and does not require general anesthesia.
