Ensuring Informed Choice
IMPORTANT: A friendly counselor who listens to a man's concerns, answers his questions, and gives clear, practical information about the procedure—especially its permanence—will help a man make an informed choice and be a successful and satisfied user, without later regret (see Female Sterilization, Because Sterilization Is Permanent). Involving his partner in counseling can be helpful but is not required.
| The 6 Points of Informed Consent |
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Counseling must cover all 6 points of informed consent. In some programs the client and the counselor sign an informed consent form. To give informed consent to vasectomy, the client must understand the following points:
- Temporary contraceptives also are available to the client.
- Voluntary vasectomy is a surgical procedure.
- There are certain risks of the procedure as well as benefits. (Both risks and benefits must be explained in a way that the client can understand.)
- If successful, the procedure will prevent the client from ever having any more children.
- The procedure is considered permanent and probably cannot be reversed.
- The client can decide against the procedure at any time before it takes place (without losing rights to other medical, health, or other services or benefits).
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