Evaluation of Vasectomy Trends in the United States

Objective: To use the Truven Health MarketScan database to better approximate the annual rate of vasectomies performed in the US population, to determine changes over time, regional differences, providers performing this, and to know if there is any monthly variation in vasectomy rates. Materials and Methods: Claims data were evaluated from 2007 to 2015 to determine the annual prevalence of vasectomy by patient age and region in the United States. The cohort included men aged 18-64 years with at least 1 claim in any given year in Truven Health MarketScan. Provider type and place of service were evaluated in 2014 and 2015. Monthly evaluation of vasectomy prevalence compared with total claims was performed. Results: The prevalence of vasectomies decreased from 2007 to 2015, across all age groups and in all locations of the country (P <.001). Using these data and the most recent US census data, an estimated 527,476 vasectomies were performed in the United States in 2015. The North Central and West regions (0.64% and 0.60%, respectively) had the highest annual prevalence of vasectomies. The month of March and the end of the year had the highest proportion of vasectomies performed. In both 2014 and 2015, a urologist in the office setting performed 82% of vasectomies. Conclusion: An estimated 527,476 vasectomies were performed in the United States in 2015. From 2007 to 2015 there was a decrease in the proportion of vasectomies performed in all age groups and in all locations of the country. The end of the year and the month of March are when the most vasectomies are performed.