POPCOM urges more Pinoys to consider vasectomy, says it won’t affect sexual performance

Thinking of getting a vasectomy? POPCOM says these are all the medical instruments needed for the procedure, which is painless. And the wound is so small, a regular adhesive is all that’s needed to cover it. Photo: Tina Panganiban-Perez

The Commission on Population (POPCOM) on Monday debunked misconceptions about vasectomy as it encouraged more Filipino men to undergo the procedure.

POPCOM Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III said that common myths about vasectomy—such as the idea that it would lead to the loss of sexual prowess or inability to have sexual relations—are major hurdles in convincing more men to see it as an option.

“Walang naging epekto sa kanilang sexual performance o prowess. Actually, patuloy ka pa ring magkakaroon ng emission o ejaculation. Ang mawawala lang, yung sperm na nagli-lead to pregnancy,” Perez said.

This year to date, only 13 men so far have availed of POPCOM's free vasectomy services, while 108 have availed of the free condoms it also gives out.

In contrast, 682 women have availed of the commission’s free services for tubal ligation and other family planning methods.

105 million Filipinos

The last census, done in 2015, counted 100.9 million Filipinos. However, POPCOM says that this year, the country's population is already at 105 million.

And out of every 10 pregnancies, three are unplanned.

“Yung three unplanned pregancies, mawala lang 'yon, maging wanted lahat ng pregnancy natin, our fertility rate will go down by 2.1 percent. And bababa ang poverty. At the household level, kung gusto mong iplano talaga ang bilang ng anak mo, mas mama-manage mo ang finances mo,” Perez stressed.

POPCOM Regional Director for NCR Lydio Español said that he had a vasectomy eight years ago after their third child. He and his wife agreed to have only three children.

“Kailangang maging praktikal din tayo na kaya nating mapagpaaral ang ating mga anak sa magagandang eskuwelahan. Kaya nating mai-provide yung mga needs nila. So hindi puwedeng dagdag lang nang dagdag ng mga anak na hindi kino-consider yung kakayanan ng mag-asawa,” Español said.

He said the whole procedure lasted only 15 minutes, including preparations and counseling. The surgery itself, Español said, took only three to five minutes. He was able to walk immediately after.

POPCOM has allotted P5 million this year for 2,000 vasectomy and 13,000 tubal ligation procedures. — BM, GMA News