World Vasectomy Day brings Bulk-billed Vasectomy Service to Dubbo
Wednesday 4 November 2020
Family Planning NSW has partnered with Clinic 66 to bring a bulk-billed vasectomy clinic to Dubbo on November 19 and 20.
To celebrate World Vasectomy Day, men in Dubbo and greater western NSW will have a rare opportunity to access a bulk-billed vasectomy service. The procedure typically costs between $300 and $700 in private clinics.
Family Planning NSW Medical Director Deborah Bateson said, "This is a fantastic outreach service that gives men a chance to take charge of contraception for themselves and their partners."
Vasectomy is a permanent method of contraception, which has very high success rates at avoiding unintended pregnancies. The pop-up clinic aims to complete more than two dozen procedures within a two-day period.
Clinic 66 Director Emma Boulton said, "Vasectomy can seem a little daunting, but it's really a minor surgical procedure. It's important that men know that it will not change their sexual desire or performance."
Approximately 1 in 4 Australian men over the age of 40 have had a vasectomy. This means Australia has the second-highest vasectomy rate in the world, after New Zealand.
The clinic will use the no-scalpel technique to complete the procedure, which can be done within 30 minutes under a local anaesthetic. This method is proven to be very safe and effective, with the lowest risk of complications or side effects.
"It is important to note that vasectomy is not immediately effective," Dr Bateson said. "Men who have a vasectomy will need to wait around three months before they are completely sterile."
A semen analysis will be done 12 weeks after the procedure to ensure that there are no active sperm present. Once this is confirmed, vasectomy provides birth control that is more than 99.5% effective.
The procedures will be bulk-billed for clients who hold a current Medicare card. To book into the vasectomy clinic, contact the Family Planning NSW Dubbo clinic on (02) 6885 1544.
Media enquiries:
Family Planning NSW
P: 0402 880 653
