A sincere question about Vasectomies and Tubal Ligation.....?

Question

It is my understanding that Dr's usually require the written consent of a man's wife before they will perform a vasectomy.( Feel free to correct me if I am wrong)

If a married woman chooses to have a tubal ligation performed, is the consent of her husband required?

I know that this is not a matter of legality, as there is no law enforcing either practice. My question is in regards to whether either of these are common practices or just myths.

Answer 1

That is not true in the state of Florida.    

Answer 2

WTF! men need their wife's permission, what happened to my body my choice?

*I would NEVER have it done anyway.

Answer 3

Absolutely not.  Stop listening to urban legend.

It is illegal by Federal HIPAA regulations, for the doctor to require the consent of the spouce.  Therefore the doctor will never ask, as he or she will loose his or her licsense to practice medicine.

The man or woman is not even required to disclose the surgery to his or her spouce.

Answer 4

Wow, I have to check with a Urologist to confirm whether the wife's consent is required prior to a Vas. (it may very well be), but I can assure you that TL only requires the patient's informed consent.

I really need to research this, but, again, it'll vary from one State Medical Board to the other, so I'm not sure how the policies vary by state.

Answer 5

My wife didn't say anything to the doctor and wasn't asked. If she wanted to make an issue of it she could have asked for a divorce on the grounds of ... whatever. We made our own agreement. People really can do ordinary things without bowing to the court- at least in the USA.

Answer 6

No states should still have that law on their books.  It's none of her business.

Answer 7

When I had my tubal done, my husband's consent wasn't required.  I'm in PA.

Answer 8

Thanks to feminism a husband's permission should no longer be required in most Western countries. However some individual clinics may request this.

Answer 9

I doubt that this is anything more than a myth.

Answer 10

If that was the case, no single man would be able to get a vasectomy.  I would honestly refuse to go to a doctor who insisted on the consent of another to perform a procedure on my if I was a healthy adult warned of the risks of an elective procedure.

I would actually have more of a problem with a man or woman who goes behind their partner's back to get this procedure.  Shouldn't they discuss this ahead of time?  I certainly wouldn't get a tubal ligation without my partner's knowledge and consent.  Besides, both procedures are reversible, so I don't see too much of a big deal with getting either.

Answer 11

Requests for vasectomy: counselling and consent:

"It is not a legal requirement to involve both partners in the decision-making and consent process"

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/article...

"(I've booked an appointment for a consultation, but the doctor has asked me to bring my wife - why?)

In a couple, the decision to have a vasectomy affects both partners, so logically both should be involved. Research clearly shows that regret and requests for reversal are much rarer if men have had good counselling, and the couple have been involved with the decision. Unfortunately, this is not explained, and tends to come across as "You can't have a vasectomy without your wife's signature" - which isn't the case!"

http://www.vasectomy-faq.org/prepare.htm

and no a women doesn't need consent either...

Answer 12

You absolutely do not have to have consent from your wife to have a vasectomy where I am.  State and country rules may vary.  We don't know your state or country so we can't really give you specifics for your region.

Answer 13

I had mine done in 1973 they do not require permission, it is an individual choice.