"The result of the study are consistent with other research which has estimated that non-compliance among vasectomy patients is between 25 and 40 per cent" says Dr J Stephen Jones, vice chairman of the Glickman Urological Institute, who directed the study.

"It may, however, be possible to improve full compliance among those who return for at least one test by simplifying the follow-up tests in line with current medical evidence and making sure that this is backed up by adequate counselling.

"For example, our study found that 65 of the men tested at eight weeks needed re-testing, but this fell to 15 when it came to the 12-week test. This suggests that a single test at 12 weeks may be adequate in the majority of cases.

"However, it is very important to stress that couples need to use additional contraception until the vasectomy patient has been given the all clear."

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Contact: Annette Whibley
wordwizard@clara.co.uk
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
3-Apr-2006