The minimum age requirement for vasectomy is the legal age of consent in the prevailing legal jurisdiction in which the procedure is performed. The prospective vasectomy patient must, at a minimum, be the legal age of consent according to Illinois legal statutes. The patient’s age, the number of children that the patient has, and many other factors that may be associated with successful outcomes (e.g., patient satisfaction, absence of regret) should be taken into account in making this decision.
In the US, there is no requirement for spousal or partner involvement in preoperative consultation, but patients are advised that partner or spousal involvement is desirable. Any consenting adult male may proceed with a vasectomy without consultation with his partner unless local laws stipulate otherwise. However, because the prospective vasectomy patient’s decision affects the fertility options for both him and his partner or spouse, it is desirable that his partner should participate in the preoperative consultation and decision-making process.
Illinois law under (750 ILCS 5/212) prohibits a cousin marriage unless either party, at the time of application for a marriage license, presents for filing with the county clerk of the county in which the marriage is to be solemnized, a certificate signed by a licensed physician stating that the party to the proposed marriage is permanently and irreversibly sterile.
Preoperative laboratory tests are not required for vasectomy patients unless the patient’s medical history suggests that laboratory work may be necessary to assess the patient’s suitability for the vasectomy procedure. In particular, preoperative coagulation tests should be considered if the patient has a history of liver disease, bleeding diatheses or is taking anticoagulants.
In addition, patients who have no children and/or have not caused a pregnancy may consider a semen analysis for fertility testing prior to vasectomy.
Time off from work appears to be based on several factors, including type of job, day of the week of the procedure and patient preference. Many men do no take time off work after vasectomy; others may take 1-3 days off and sometimes more.
