WHAT IS Vasectomy.....MUST READ

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Hehehe.....After his wife had three sets of twins despite using various contraceptive methods, Moses Kangere, felt it was time to take the bull by the horn. Of course, he did what many Africa men of his age would not bother to consider. The police officer had a vasectomy procedure carried out on him at a local hospital.

According to him, he did that in spite of the controversies about the definitive family planning surgery.

Vasectomy also known as male sterilisation is a form of contraception that involves surgically cutting or blocking the tubes that transport sperm from the testicles to the penis.

When men undergo a vasectomy, their sperm can no longer reach the semen, as a result any semen ejaculated during sex does not contain sperm necessary to fertilise a woman’s egg.

A vasectomy is an effective and permanent means of preventing pregnancy. It is estimated that only one out of every 2,000 men, who receives a vasectomy will impregnate a woman during their lives.

He says apart from the financial toll of taking care of six kids as a police officer, his wife avoided having sex with him because she feared she would conceive again.

“ My wife has done different family planning procedures but one made her bleed while another did not just go well with her body system. She is also very fertile because she conceives quickly. She became scare of having sex with me after we had three sets of twins. It was affecting our marriage and finances.

“ I decided to have a vasectomy after I got an assurance that it was safe. My wife agreed after she was also reassured that it will not affect my manhood or sex life.’

Kangere, who is now a vasectomy champion says that is the best decision he has taken. According to him, it has not only prevented pregnancies but it has also saved his marriage.

“My wife is now more open to me. I can have her anytime I want because she knows that she cannot conceive. I also do not need to stray or look at other women,” he adds.

According to the police officer, who advises men in his community in Nairobi about vasectomy, many of his friends discouraged him from undergoing the procedure, claiming that it is another form of castration.

Kangere adds, “Most men think that vasectomy is like castration. But it is not so. My wife, knows that too.”

Apart from men, the Vice-President, United Nations Populations Fund Youth Advisory Group, Margaret Bolaji, says that it is high time, women, youths and adolescents knew about the benefits of family planning.

She spoke at the Family Planning 2020 Mid-Point High Level meeting organised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNFPA and Tupange in Nairobi, Kenya.

Bolaji, who narrates her experience growing up in a family of seven in Zaria, Kaduna State says she has experienced the negative consequences of unplanned pregnancies.

According to her, many young girls in Northern Nigeria have fallen victim to early marriages and unwanted pregnancies that have compromised their health, education and careers.

“My mother had to work extra hard to train my six sisters and me. The odds were great and it was tough growing up. The circle must not continue.

“I see young girls receiving treatment in fistula centres, when they should be in school trying to further their education or careers. Millions of young people suffer and are unable to meet their potential due to unwanted pregnancies.

Bolaji, who calls on the government to increase its commitment to adolescent and reproductive health programmes, especially in Northern Nigeria, said this would help the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

She says, “Over 60 per cent of adolescents, who want to use contraceptives are not able to do so. The government should include youths in its health decisions in order to make their voices heard.”