For a country that is predominantly conservative especially on reproductive matters, Kenya is about to witness an event that could shape opinions for ages.
World Vasectomy Day comes to Kenya, meet the experts and men who have done it (Video)
In a campaign dubbed An Act of Love, the global movement that started the World Vasectomy day aims at sharing information and techniques about the procedure to Kenya. The major mission is to have men embracing their role in family planning and sharing it with their women.
Recommended articles
The world vasectomy day is coming to Kenya and with it a number of experts ready to perform free vasectomy procedures to volunteers. Part of the team is already in Kenya and they are carrying out a number of awareness campaigns across the city and today they will be in Kayole.
Kenya is the first country they have been to in Africa. Previous events have been held in the US, Australia, Finland and Indonesia.
While a normal procedure usually costs about Kshs.35,000 the specialists coming along with local counterparts will be doing it for free.
The event will be held on November 18th at the Kenya National Theatre. Here are a couple of quick facts on vasectomy as provided by World Vasectomy Day organization
Vasectomy is simply a form of contraception for men that involves surgically cutting or blocking the tubes that transport sperm from the testicles to the shaft o the male organ.
Though a vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of contraception, it’s often possible to reverse it-With a vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy if you decide you want to father a child.
How successful the procedure is depends on several factors—in particular, the length of time since the vasectomy was done (the longer the interval, the more difficult the procedure is, possibly due to scarring that increases over time).
Men who have had a vasectomy do not report more sexual difficulties; such as a decrease in desire, difficulty maintaining an erection or problems with orgasm
Major side effects from the procedure are unusual;
A little swelling and bruising at the incision area is to be expected. A pain reliever can help with any short-term pain or discomfort. But if you experience an increase in pain or swelling, or develop a fever— indications of possible infection —see your doctor.
Vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can still transmit or acquire them when you have unprotected sex. If you or your partner has an STI or you’re not sure of your STI status or your partner’s, you should always use a condom.
A vasectomy will NOT increase men’s risk for diseases, including prostate cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension or testicular cancer, according to a guideline paper from the American Urological Association, published in the Journal of Urology in 2012.
It does not result in immediate sterility- You may still have viable sperm in your system for several weeks after. To avoid unintended pregnancy, use an alternative birth control method until a semen analysis confirms no detectable motile sperm.
Here is a video of the experiences of men who have done it already.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke