Are vasectomies the future of family planning?

Men step forward to share the burden of birth control

A pair of scissors.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Getty Images)

It takes two to tango. While the vast majority of discussion about the Supreme Court's ruling overturning abortion rights has naturally focused on women and their reproductive health, there are some men stepping forward to do their part to prevent unwanted pregnancies — by getting vasectomies.

Doctors across the country report an upswing in interest since a draft of the court's decision leaked in May. "I think that raised awareness about vasectomies as one of the options for permanent contraception and that led a lot of men and couples to seek them," Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger told the New York Post. "There's a lot of interest."

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.