VA Augusta urologist working to close gender gap in contraception culture

Print

AUGUSTA, Ga. — This Friday (Nov. 18) marks the 10th anniversary of World Vasectomy Day, and Dr. John De Caro, a VA Augusta Health Care System urologist, is on a mission to encourage primary care doctors to have contraception conversations with their male patients during primary care visits.

“I’m trying to help change the culture. It’s time to help close the gender gap in responsibility for contraception which disproportionately burdens women,” said De Caro, who is passionate about reproductive autonomy, gender equality, and combating misinformation. “I want to help men understand their options in preventing unplanned pregnancies, particularly following the overturning of Roe versus Wade.”

Designing guides to help men through the decision-making process

De Caro’s innovative three-pronged approach will tackle the limitations of the male contraception toolbox. He started a Veteran telehealth group for men to learn about vasectomies, and he is designing an innovative, digital tool to help guide them through the decision-making process. From there, he can determine eligibility and fast track patients for the procedure.

The scale is tipped when it comes to which gender holds the most responsibility to prevent pregnancies. De Caro says women undergo 40 percent more tubal ligation surgeries than men undergo vasectomies even though tubal litigation is a far more invasive and risky procedure.

“If a tubal ligation fails, it leads to an ectopic pregnancy, which is considered a non-viable pregnancy that threatens the life of the woman,” he said.

Talking to your provider about contraception options

De Caro sits on the board of directors for Male Contraceptive Initiative, a non-profit that provides funding and advocacy support for the research and development of new methods of non-hormonal, reversible male birth control. In addition to long-acting reversible male contraceptive methods, this also includes on-demand, short-acting methods.

De Caro’s three-pronged male contraceptive approach is a Spark-Seed-Spread project through the VA Innovators Network. He will spend the next fiscal year exploring, developing, and testing his digital tool with Veteran feedback using the Human-Centered Design innovation model.

Media seeking more information can contact Will Martin, VA Augusta Chief of Public Affairs, at William.Martin6@va.gov or (706) 733-0188, ext. 31733.