News

Give the gift that keeps on NOT giving this Father's Day

Date: 04/09/08

With Father’s Day around the corner, Australia’s leading sexual and reproductive healthcare organisation has suggested a gift for Dad that will last a lifetime – a vasectomy!

“Forget socks, jocks and handkerchiefs - not having to worry about contraception is a present both dads and mums can enjoy for years to come!” Jill Michelson, Operations Manager of Marie Stopes International said.

Vasectomy is an ideal method of contraception for men who have completed their families and, with a 99.5% success rate, is safe, simple, highly effective and permanent.

Research, however, has shown that some men are afraid to undergo a vasectomy as they believe it will affect their sexual performance and testosterone levels.

A major independent survey of 1000 men, conducted by Quantum Market Research has found that 24% of men wrongly believed that having a vasectomy is ‘really painful’ and were reluctant to talk about both contraception and their own sexual and reproductive health.

“To address this, Marie Stopes International has developed an Online Vasectomy Chat service, allowing men to anonymously get expert answers to any question they had about the procedure from the comfort of their home or office - allaying their fears and dispelling many of the myths out there,” Ms Michelson said.

“The truth is that having a vasectomy is a relatively pain free procedure, and won’t effect your sex life or performance.

“Many couples have actually found greater sexual freedom once they no longer have the worry of contraception or an unplanned pregnancy.

“And with Father’s Day only two days away, it’s the perfect way to solve your last minute present buying dilemma!”

The Online Vasectomy Chat Service can be accessed via www.vasectomyinfo.com.au and is available Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm and Saturday from 9am - 2pm EST.

To enquire about booking a vasectomy, phone Freecall 1800 003 707 (operating 24 hours).

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About Marie Stopes International: Marie Stopes International is a not-for-profit sexual and reproductive healthcare provider, with centres in the ACT, VIC, NSW, QLD and WA. MSI offers a range of services, including abortion, vasectomy, sexually transmitted infection check-ups, contraception and community-based health promotion and education. The organisation is part of a global international partnership that delivers vital health services to over five million people in 42 countries worldwide. Surplus funds support Marie Stopes International Australia, our charity partner, which works to save lives and improve sexual and reproductive health in Indigenous Australia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. For more information on the organisations, visit www.mariestopes.com.au and www.mariestopes.org.au

For media enquiries contact: Samantha Smith, Public Relations - 0421 097 150