41% of married women in the DR opt for permanent sterilization, versus 0.2% of men
A vasectomy is a permanent method of contraception for men, and performing it without a scalpel costs approximately RD$1,900.
SANTO DOMINGO. - Only 0.2% of married Dominican men have opted for vasectomy as a contraceptive method, while 2.6% use condoms. In contrast, 41% of married Dominican women have opted for tubal ligation, according to data cited by gynecologist and obstetrician Lilliam Fondeur while teaching a class at the Diploma in Gender Equality Perspective and Social Policy.
In the program taught by the Center for Gender Studies Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) in collaboration with Ministry of women and the Social Policy Cabinet (GPS), Fondeur shared contraceptive methods, as well as their barriers and access strategies in the country.
When assessing the tools to prevent unwanted pregnancies, the doctor indicated that there are two permanent contraceptive methods: tubal ligation, a female sterilization method chosen by 41% of married women in the country, according to data from the Demographic Health Survey (ENDESA) conducted in 2013. specialist stated that this method can produce changes in menstrual bleeding, menstrual pain, low sexual desire and changes in self-esteem.
Instead, the vasectomy, a permanent contraceptive method applied to males, is a outpatient surgery that lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and consists of cut the vas deferens, which are those that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra.
"Recovery is rapid, allowing the patient to quickly return to their daily activities," explained the specialist, noting that the procedure performed without a scalpel at Profamilia costs approximately RD$1,900. If the patient has health insurance, the cost can be significantly lower.
At Profamilia clinics, between 2019 and 2023, more than 200 men underwent vasectomies using the no-scalpel technique.
Although a large part of the female population opts for tubal ligation, Fondeur expressed that this could produce sequelae. emotional, psychological and physical after the process, such as ansanxiety, depression, emotional distress, changes in bleeding and menstrual cramps.
He also denied The belief that vasectomy affects a man's virility or sexual function. "Studies and experts confirm that vasectomy does not affect sexual potency or masculinity," he asserted.
When evaluating the effectiveness of the methods in men and women, he noted that the definitive ones (Tubal ligation, vasectomy), hormonal (pills, implants, injections, vaginal ring) and non-hormonal methods such as the IUD are 99% efficient, while barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms and gel are 85 to 98% efficient, depending on the type of method and its use.
Likewise, she indicated that there are economic, geographic, and structural barriers to access that prevent the dissemination of information for the prevention of STIs and unwanted pregnancies. She also suggested strategies such as implementing comprehensive sex education, technological innovations, and international collaboration with organizations that support the dissemination of this information.
The Diploma in Gender Equality and Social Policy Perspective It is part of the contributions of the project Strengthening Health and Social Protection Systems financed by the European Union through funds delegated to the French Development Agency and under the responsibility of implementation of French expertise. Participating in this 51 technical collaborators and officials from different institutions of the Social Policy Office.
El CEG INTEC offers training in different aspects of equality, advising and supporting state agencies that work to guarantee this right established by the Dominican legal framework. You can inquire about its offerings by accessing the ceg.intec.edu.do.