Bizarre TikTok trend: Men getting vasectomies on camera
The demand for vasectomies has increased since Roe v. Wade was overturned in July, and men are taking to TikTok to share their experiences getting the procedure.
Some are even shockingly documenting their reactions during the process itself.
A vasectomy is a form of male birth control that cuts the supply of sperm to semen. It’s done by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm to prevent pregnancy, and according to the Mayo Clinic is 99% effective.
With women in parts of America no longer able to safely access abortions, doctors have reported an increase in the male snipping procedure.
There are 522.5 million videos using the hashtag #vasectomy — with many men filming themselves throughout the procedure and some encouraging other guys to do the same and attempting to dispel any misinformation.
“One of the things that surprised me is the sheer amount of misconceptions about vasectomies,” Texas-based comedian Keith Laue told Health. “I still have my testicles. I can still ejaculate. I don’t have low testosterone.”
In a now-viral TikTok that’s been viewed over 3.2 million times, Laue said the procedure only took “10 to 15 minutes, so it wasn’t that bad” and said the entire process from start to finish was “super easy.”
The 23-year-old told the publication that since he and his partner already had one child and knew they didn’t want another, deciding a vasectomy would be the most cost-effective option available to them.
“The road blocks were significantly less for me than Taylor [my partner] who had been on birth control before,” he said. “But also, it’s not just Taylor’s responsibility to take care of contraception.”
Urologists recently told the Washington Post they have seen an increase in interest in vasectomies since the Supreme Court’s decision, with 60% to 70% of males coming in for the procedure mentioning it as a main reason for getting the procedure.
Dr. Philip Werthman, a Los Angeles urologist, told the publication he’s seen a “300 to 400 percent” increase in the number of vasectomy consultations he has performed. Dr. Esgar Guarín, an Iowa-based urologist, claimed a “200 to 250%” increase in traffic on his website.
Laue’s not the only one to share his story on TikTok. Mike Pridgen, 28, also filmed his surgery and posted it online with a vote of confidence.
“I’ve had dental fillings with more hassle than this,” he proclaimed in the video that’s been viewed 2.8 million times.
“That’s not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.”
“It was an easy procedure,” father-of-three Ernest Quiocho said in his own vasectomy video. “I would do it again.”
Thousands of people have commented on the videos, thanking the men for sharing their stories.
“THANK YOU for showing other men how easy it is,” one user commented.
“Every time I debate with a man about how easy this is, I’m going to show them you,” said another.
“I got one too, it is pretty painless and the recovery was sooooo quick. It is 100% worth it,” commented another.
According to Planned Parenthood, there are two types of vasectomies: the incision method and the no-scalpel (no-cut) method.
No-cut methods reportedly lower the risk of infection and other complications and generally take less time to heal.
