A Cost-Consequence Analysis Comparing Vasectomy and Fertility Treatment with Oral Contraceptives

Abstract: This thesis performs a cost-consequence and a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing vasectomy with cryopreservation of sperm and IUI to use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). It limits itself to normally fertile males and normally fertile females aged 20-45, and does not attempt to estimate costs relating to contraceptive failure or environmental impact. Results indicate that COCs are cheaper for shorter periods of contraception. For longer periods of contraception, which method is more expensive varies depending on the cost of cryopreservation of sperm and the duration for which sperm is cryopreserved. COCs have a higher risk of unplanned pregnancies, while couples needing IUI to conceive manage to have children less often than average couples. Costs relating to estrogen being released into the environment are briefly touched upon in the discussion, and decision makers should be aware of these as they may be quite significant.