March Madness and Vasectomy - What's the Link?

March Madness is a time for basketball fans to sit back and relax on the couch, cheering on their favorite teams. But have you heard this time of the year is when vasectomies are on the rise because it gives men a reason to stay home and watch the games? Is there any truth to that? Let’s dive in.

First, what is a vasectomy? A vasectomy is a simple procedure that blocks the vas deferens, the tube that moves the sperm to the outside world. By blocking this pathway, the procedure stops the sperm from entering semen. Vasectomy is a very safe and effective form of birth control and takes only about 10 to 20 minutes to complete with minimal discomfort. The recovery is fairly quick but men still are asked to take it easy for a short time.

So, what does this have to do with March Madness? Dr. Ali Dabaja, Director of Male Reproductive and Sexual Medicine at the Vattikuti Urology Institute, weighs in on this topic.

“After a vasectomy we ask men to rest, not to lift anything heavy, and to go back to light duties during that week. So, timing the procedure to watching some games while you recover works well, and it’s a great excuse to watch March Madness without interruption,” says Dr. Dabaja.

Okay, so March Madness may actually be a good time to schedule your vasectomy. But remember, it is of great value to always talk with your doctor prior to having any procedures done to make sure you are aware of the risks, benefits and side effects. Does this mean it is true that there really is a rise of vasectomy appointments during March Madness? Well, it seems there may be some truth to this, as it is referred to as "Vas-Madness." 

“Historically, we usually see a rise in vasectomy consultations and vasectomies during March Madness for the reason stated above. Other urology offices have reported a rise in vasectomies between 20 to 40% during March Madness,” says Dr. Dabaja.

While March Madness is not the only time that’s best for a vasectomy, talking to your doctor can help you learn more and decide the timing that’s right for you.

If you’ve gotten a vasectomy recently and are enjoying March Madness from the comfort of your couch, know that there are likely other men out there doing the same!

To learn more about vasectomies, check out our resources here:

Vasectomy – What You Should Know Fact Sheet

Vasectomy Reversal – What You Should Know Fact Sheet