Vasectomy: the other (better) form of sterilization

Male sterilization (vasectomy) is the most effective form and only long-acting form of contraception available to men in the United States. Compared to female sterilization, it is more efficacious, more cost-effective, and has lower rates of complications. Despite these advantages, in the United States, vasectomy is utilized at less than half the rate of female sterilization. In addition, vasectomy is least utilized among black and Latino populations, groups with the highest rates of female sterilization. This review provides an overview of vasectomy use and techniques, and explores reasons for the disparity in vasectomy utilization in the United States. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.