BKKBN: Vasectomy Has No Adverse Effects on Men

The National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) has stressed that vasectomy does not have any adverse effects on men, as it seeks to dispel persistent myths surrounding the procedure. Director of Access to Family Planning Services, Fajar Firdawati, clarified that vasectomy is fundamentally different from castration. “Vasectomy is a contraceptive option for those who feel their family is complete. Therefore, education and counselling are crucial so that people understand this choice, as vasectomy is not a temporary measure,” Fajar stated. She further explained that the procedure does not interfere with male sexual function. “It does not affect sexual function. The man remains normal because the procedure does not influence his hormones. It also does not cause erectile dysfunction,” she added. The method involves tying or cutting the sperm ducts to prevent sperm from entering the ejaculate. Despite its safety, BKKBN data highlights a significant gender gap in contraceptive use in Indonesia. Out of approximately 76 million families, around 40 million are couples of reproductive age, with 25 million actively using contraception. However, male participation in family planning remains low, with the number of male contraceptive users only approaching one million.