The wives reconsider vasectomy

An earlier article by M. H. Johnson, "Social and Psychological Effects of Vasectomy," American Journal of Psychiatry, 1964, 121, 482-486, reported the clinical assessment of 83 vasectomized men admitted to a psychiatric service. This study investigated the att's of wives about the procedure after more time had passed. The report deals with information provided by 41 wives. When asked their opinion of the results of their husbands' vasectomy, 11 of the 32 who were still married said they were satisfied & would recommend the procedure to other couples. 7 women would not recommend it. 14 qualified their recommendation. In 30 of 83 cases the vasectomy was done because of pressure from the wife, her fam or MD. All women were glad to have avoided more pregnancies, & they liked the certainty of sterilization. The most important factor in the responses to the procedure seems to be the relationship between the married couple. If the sterilization occurred in a setting of coercion or negativism, the incidence of marital dissolution was high. If, on the other hand, it reflects a decision made with a minimum of neurotic over-determination, there seems to be relatively little risk of disruption of the marriage. E. Weiman.