You may have various questions about what to expect before having a vasectomy. Is it a painful procedure? How long is the recovery after surgery? Are there any side effects?
While many are primarily concerned with the physical aftermath, it is also important to consider mental health. Yes, it is more likely to occur in people with pre-existing mental illness or marital problems, or in those who have had inadequate pre-operative counseling.
Specifically, the researchers looked at a 30-year-old patient who had been married for seven years and reported feelings of sadness and fatigue. It was after I had a vasectomy. The patient’s family did not support the surgery due to health and safety concerns, and the patient had not received prior counseling from a physician.
Previous research has suggested that there are many risk factors for post-vasectomy psychological morbidity, including pre-existing marital and sexual difficulties, pre-existing mental health conditions, and negative perceptions of the health effects of the procedure. Some of these factors were present in patients.
Researchers concluded that proper screening and counseling of vasectomy candidates can reduce the risk of psychological complications.
The relationship between vasectomy and depression
“Regret can lead to post-vasectomy depression. It could be more final,” he said. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, New York-based neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind. “Men are more prone to depression when pressured by their partners to undergo treatment, and resentment can lead to relationship problems.”
Just as some women experience grief at menopause, some men may feel less masculine due to their inability to have children. It can lead to varying levels of depression, and is influenced by whether the person has a depressive personality to begin with and how vague they were about the surgery, Dr. Hafeez adds.
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Gail Saltz, M.D. Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital Would you like help? iHeartRadio podcast, I agree. It may be a coincidence that you feel depressed after a vasectomy, but it is also true that this surgery has great psychological significance for many men.
It could mean the loss of masculinity, fertility, and hope for immortality by the offspring of future imaginary children. These perceived losses can cause grief, grief, and anxiety that can lead to depression.
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Risk factors for psychological problems after vasectomy
If you have an anxiety disorder or depression, you may be more prone to depression after surgery than someone who doesn’t have these issues. risk factor.
If you have a life partner, this should be a decision that has been discussed over time, weighing the pros and cons. It should never be an impulsive decision, he says, Dr. Hafeez. Urologists must be able to talk to their patients about the emotions men experience before and after surgery. , you must make this decision with 100% certainty that this is what you want.
And feeling conflicted and conflicted about undergoing the procedure can increase negative feelings afterwards, explains Dr. Saltz. increase the types of stress that can contribute to the development of
Minimize risk of depression after vasectomy
Some men experience the loss and grief of not being able to conceive a woman. Anger and resentment can ensue when faced with a decision. Talking with a urologist and understanding the physical and mental effects of surgery is essential, he explains Dr. Hafeez.
Talking to other men who are similar in age and situation can also be beneficial. A man also needs to make sure that this is what he wants and is not doing it to appease his partner.
If in doubt, a man should be counseled before undergoing surgery, Dr. Hafeez said. If all “safety precautions” have been taken before having a vasectomy and a man is feeling depressed, he should seek help from a qualified mental health professional.
A more complete understanding of all the feelings about having a procedure and the time to resolve internal conflicts about it can mean psychotherapy, explains Dr. Saltz.
It is then important to recognize the early signs and symptoms of depression so that they can be treated medically before more serious depression develops. As with all major life stressors, partner support is important.
Next: What “medical gaslighting” means and how to know if you’re a victim
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- journal of mental illness: “Depression after vasectomy: a case report and literature review.”
- Dr. Sanam Hafeez, New York City Neuropsychologist Comprehend the Mind Director
- Gail Saltz, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian Hospital, host of iHeartRadio’s podcast “How Can I Help?”