Changing profiles in vasectomy subjects in the past decade.

Two groups of vasectomy patients were reviewed: 376 men operated upon between 1968 and 1971 and 608 between 1974 and 1978. Average age, length of marriage, and number of living children prior to vasectomy were greater in the first group (P less than 0.01). The results are compatible with the idea that couples are planning smaller families and turning increasingly to vasectomy as a reliable permanent birth control method immediately following the completion of their families.