Sexual Consequences of Vasectomy
Question
Hi, my name is Jamal. I have been thinking about having a vasectomy and I want to know if it will have any effect on my sexual performance?
Answer
Last Updated: July 24, 2013
You ask if there are any sexual consequences to having a vasectomy.
God designed sex to be a supremely enjoyable way for a married couple to give a special gift of themselves to each other. The husband gifts his wife with his unique genetic material—his sperm—and she (approximately ten times a year) hers—her egg. There is no other gift that married people can give to one another that even remotely approaches the significance of this being totally open to the possibility of new life by sharing one’s most intimate “product”. The Catholic Church considers non-contraceptive, non-sterilized marital intercourse a great source of grace for a couple.
On the other hand interference with the transmission of this spousal gift through contraception or sterilization eliminates the life-generating potential from the sex act and reduces mutual self-giving to mutual self-gratification. The act becomes devoid of “gravitas” or meaning. It is “only” sex (as is all too often displayed on TV, film, etc). So what happens when a human act lacks meaning? Ultimately, disinterest. Human nature is such that we thrive on variety and the more intense the experience the less frequently we can repeat it and have it remain special. That is why couples that abstain for a short period of time during the month (the underlying principle of natural family planning) find sex always “new”, different, exciting, and enjoyable. Abstinence heightens sexual desire and intensifies the experience. Those who are physically or chemically sterile and have “sex on demand” are withholding their special gift and negating the whole purpose of the sex act. Less interest in sex—even boredom—and poor bonding with one’s life partner are the byproducts of this unhappy situation.
Gregory Polito, MD, KM
God designed sex to be a supremely enjoyable way for a married couple to give a special gift of themselves to each other. The husband gifts his wife with his unique genetic material—his sperm—and she (approximately ten times a year) hers—her egg. There is no other gift that married people can give to one another that even remotely approaches the significance of this being totally open to the possibility of new life by sharing one’s most intimate “product”. The Catholic Church considers non-contraceptive, non-sterilized marital intercourse a great source of grace for a couple.
On the other hand interference with the transmission of this spousal gift through contraception or sterilization eliminates the life-generating potential from the sex act and reduces mutual self-giving to mutual self-gratification. The act becomes devoid of “gravitas” or meaning. It is “only” sex (as is all too often displayed on TV, film, etc). So what happens when a human act lacks meaning? Ultimately, disinterest. Human nature is such that we thrive on variety and the more intense the experience the less frequently we can repeat it and have it remain special. That is why couples that abstain for a short period of time during the month (the underlying principle of natural family planning) find sex always “new”, different, exciting, and enjoyable. Abstinence heightens sexual desire and intensifies the experience. Those who are physically or chemically sterile and have “sex on demand” are withholding their special gift and negating the whole purpose of the sex act. Less interest in sex—even boredom—and poor bonding with one’s life partner are the byproducts of this unhappy situation.
Gregory Polito, MD, KM
Answered By:
Gregory Polito, MD
Gregory Polito,MD, KM, Past President of CANFP, retired from a urologic practice, with a sub-specialty in vasectomy reversal
