Men who have had a vasectomy appear to have a small risk of developing two types of dementia as they age, researchers say. However, the finding is from a small study, and should not discourage men from having the procedure at this time.
The first type of dementia, primary progressive aphasia (PPA), is a neurological disease that causes difficulty with language. Unlike Alzheimer's disease, PPA causes no difficulty with memory, but instead features trouble expressing oneself and understanding others. Additionally, though PPA tends to be diagnosed earlier than Alzheimer's disease, those with PPA are able to perform complex tasks for many years, whereas those with Alzheimer's tend to lose interest in their hobbies and are unable to navigate around their neighborhood.
Though PPA is a relatively rare form of dementia, it seems that having a vasectomy increases one's risk for this disease. In a recent study, researchers from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine surveyed 47 men who had been diagnosed with PPA and 57 mentally healthy men.
Among those surveyed with PPA, 40 percent had undergone a vasectomy, surgery to permanently block the ejaculation of sperm. In comparison, only 16 percent of the healthy men with no mental illness had undergone this procedure. Additionally, those men who had a vasectomy developed PPA at a younger age, as compared to the men with PPA who did not have the surgery.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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