Otieno says there are many myths surrounding vasectomy this too making men to shy from it.
"The whole idea can be scaring as it is sensitive for the fact that you are targeting an intimate body part. There has also been a common believe that vasectomy does hinder a man's sex drive. Another myth is that it increases the risk for prostate cancer," says Otieno.
Dr Stephen Lukasewycz, a urologist, says vasectomy is a very effective form of birth control and only a small percentage of patients report failure.
He says that having sex too soon after the procedure might lead to pregnancy since it takes several months for semen to be sperm-free after vasectomy.
"It takes several months for semen to be sperm-free after a vasectomy and the only way to know is to have your semen tested. Until then, you can still get your partner pregnant.
"That's why I tell my patients that they must use another method of birth control until they have a semen sample tested and it shows a zero sperm count. Better safe than surprised by an unwanted pregnancy," he says.
WHY THE FEAR?
Vasectomy, as compared to tubal ligation, is an easier procedure, and reversible.
Tubal ligation is permanent and highly invasive as it involves a permanent removal or blockage of the fallopian tube.
However, many men are cautious about embracing it, driven by fears and myths.
Men have long attached their fertility to the ability to sire children. Vasectomy being that it takes that away they are worried that it is an insult to their manhood if they lack the ability to produce sperms. For this reason, not a lot of men are willing to undergo the procedure.
Other men fear that the procedure may affect their sex drive. This has been proved false, as ejaculation is never affected by vasectomy.
Some men fear that their wives might leave with all the kids and they do not want to be childless so, they are avoiding the procedure as even with the confirmation of the procedure being reversible.
"I can never have a vasectomy, and it is okay for you to choose not to have but there is no way I will let that happen to me, what if one day you leave with all the kids or I desire another kid because of one reason or another? That is not an option even if I do not want kids anymore," says Ngugi a 34-year-old father of two.
However, just like in all family planning methods, medical experts input is paramount as well as agreement between the couple.
Men have also linked the procedure to causing prostate cancer. Recent studies, however, have shown that this is false. Men who have had vasectomy have the same risks as those who have not.
The risks that have not been taken care of by the vasectomy are sexually transmitted diseases. However, there is no increase or decrease of the same just because of a vasectomy.