The Vasectomy - How it Began

Vasectomy started being popular in the 1950s. The study and procedure goes farther back than that. In the 15 century, the vas deferens was named by a man called Berengarius of Carpi. He was under the impression that the sperm passed through the vas. This was however where the concept of vasectomy actually began. 

Early Research

Until 1830 most attention was paid to the testicles. A researcher called Ashley Cooper wrote “Observations on the Structure and Diseases of the Testis.” This was published focusing on a procedure done on a dog’s testicle in 1822 when they tied the artery and vein. It was later observed that no offspring resulted from this particular dog after it had sexual intercourse.

In 1847, Gosselin while exploring corpses noticed in some cases where the vas deferens was blocked entirely and seemed to have been that way for years. Piquing Gosselin’s interest, he began experimenting using dogs as his guinea pigs.

1884 showed that when blocking the vas deferens duct, it had no effect on the amount of sperm the body produced. They observed that this blockage merely prevented any sperm from reaching the outside of the body and in no other way impaired a male. It wasn’t until 1890 that the suggestion of vasectomy rather than castration began to be explored.

20th Century Research

By the beginning of the 20^th century, there were several published cases of vasectomies being performed to aid in the removal of bladder stones. It then became the accepted fashionable treatment for men with prostate problems as well. The method of the vasectomy we know today was introduced by Martin in the year 1902. This operation was called Epilidyno-vasectomy.

As long as x-rays and modern technological advances were unavailable, most of the exploration done on the human body had to be done post-mortem. It was difficutlt to assess reasons behind defects and experiments done on animals was the only way to further our knowledge of the way the human body worked. There is no blue print that comes with a new born baby, and our medical forefathers were at a distinct disadvantage having to use the trial and error methods that ended so disastrously in some cases.

21^st Century Vasectomy Rsearch

Medical and technological advances have allowed the field of medicine to make great strides and having a vasectomy is now a routine procedure considered low risk. It is one of the most reliable methods of permanent birth control and it is an easier operation than a woman having a sterilization process such as tubal ligation. Men around the world regularly have vasectomies as do our pets such as dogs, cats and horses.

These days, men can have a vasectomy and be out of the doctor’s office in less than an hour and be back to work after just a few days. Most report no long lasting effects except for the fact they can’t have children which was the point of the procudeure in the first place. Having a vasectomy is no more serious than having a tooth pulled from a medical standpoint, but before you consider having one performed on you, you need to decide if not being able to have children is something you want.

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