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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Optimizing the Modified No-Scalpel Vasectomy Technique
Published on: October 18, 2024
A Thematic Analysis of Online Discussion Boards for Vasectomy
1Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Objective:
To examine posts on Internet discussion groups related to vasectomies, and identify common ideas through a structured theme analysis.
Materials And Methods:
Internet discussion boards were identified using the search term "vasectomy." Three discussion boards were identified as having the most posts and were chosen for analysis. Using an iterative and structured analysis process, each post was analyzed using thematic analysis in 3 steps (open coding, axial coding, and selective coding) to determine common themes.
Results:
A total of 129 posts were analyzed. The most common posts related to changes in sexual function after vasectomy. The second most common theme was pain after vasectomy. There were also posts about considerations before vasectomy, planning for postvasectomy care, what to expect after vasectomy, potential issues after vasectomy and how to manage these, and feelings about vasectomy. Some of the information present did not have a factual basis.
Conclusion:
Posts dedicated to postvasectomy pain and sexual dysfunction were of the highest quantity. There was no medical provider input to these discussion boards. Educational efforts should be targeted to these areas and should include a health-care professional.
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