I had a vasectomy in my 20s after the trauma of my sons' births

Alex West was deeply affected by his wife's labor pain during their first child's birth. He experienced panic and emotional breakdown. Unresolved trauma and postnatal depression led him to reconsider having more children. He and his wife decided to limit their family to two children. As the driving force behind the decision, he felt it was unfair to place the burden of contraception on his wife.

Following thousands of men in England, Alex opted for a vasectomy, a procedure involving the cutting and sealing of the vas deferens to prevent sperm from reaching the urethra. In 2024-25, 26,385 vasectomies were performed in England, a 16% increase from the previous year, with men aged 35-39 having the highest number of procedures.

Despite the procedure's safety and effectiveness, doctors advise men under 30 to carefully consider the decision due to a higher likelihood of regret. Sam Knight, who sought the procedure at age 22, knew he didn't want to be in a situation where he could become a parent again. He explained to his doctor why he wanted the vasectomy, including his fear of making someone else go through the same pain he had experienced.

Sam, now 25, found the procedure painful but worthwhile, and he prioritized his career as a sound designer for video games over parenthood.