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IntroductionOn June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued their decision on Dobbs vs Jackson Women's Health Organization (Dobbs). This decision had major implications on female reproductive choices, but also had potential implications on their male counterparts. We sought to determine the association of Dobbs with the number and characteristics of men seeking vasectomy.MethodsA retrospective review was performed to determine the number of vasectomy consults and procedures completed at a single Michigan health system in the 6 months following Dobbs (6/24/2022 - 12/24/2022) versus the same 6-month time frame between 2019 to 2021. Another retrospective review was conducted in the 3 months following Dobbs (6/24/2022 - 9/24/2022) versus the same days in 2021 to determine the number of vasectomy consults completed and to evaluate for differences in the characteristics of these men.ResultsIn the 6 months after Dobbs, there was a 150% and 160% increase in vasectomy consults and procedures completed, compared to a similar time frame in 2019 to 2021. In the 3 months after Dobbs, there was a 225% increase in new vasectomy consults compared to a similar time frame in 2021. There were no differences in the age, race, religion, median household income or insurance type of men seeking vasectomy consult pre-versus post-Dobbs. Partnerless men (OR 3.66) and those without children (OR 2.85) were more likely than married men and those with 3 or more children, respectively, to seek vasectomy consult post-Dobbs.ConclusionsDobbs was associated with a marked increase in vasectomy consultations and procedures at our institution in the state of Michigan. Future studies are needed to determine the long-term implications of Dobbs on vasectomy practices, and determine if vasectomy practices differ by states and their respective abortion laws.

Women now comprise over 50% of medical school graduates and over one‐third of practicing physicians in the United States. Despite this progress, significant barriers to career advancement and leadership persist, particularly in male‐dominated fields like urology and oncology. Women physicians are linked to improved patient outcomes and are critical to addressing the projected physician shortage, which is expected to be exaggerated in oncology specialties. This review highlights progress, challenges, and future directions for gender equity in urology, urologic oncology, and oncology subspecialties. Urology and urologic oncology have seen growth in female representation, whereas radiation oncology remains stagnant, and medical oncology has reached near gender parity among trainees. However, leadership roles across all these fields continue to reflect gender inequities. Key barriers include the gender pay gap, insufficient maternal leave policies, workplace harassment, and lack of mentorship and sponsorship for women physicians. Moving forward, efforts to advance gender equity must include transparent pay structures, supportive maternal leave, and robust antiharassment policies. Promoting women in leadership and fostering mentorship are also essential to retaining and advancing women in these fields. By addressing these issues, the health care community can progress toward gender equity, strengthen the physician workforce, and improve patient outcomes. Institutional and national advocacy is crucial for creating an equitable and effective medical community. Despite the increasing number of women in medicine, gender disparities in leadership and career advancement, particularly in oncology, remain prominent. Addressing issues such as pay disparity, caregiver support, maternity leave policy, and access to mentorship is key to fostering gender equity and improving patient outcomes amid impending physician shortages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impending shortage of urologists and the need for policy solutions to address this issue. Factors contributing to the shortage include limited residency positions, a long pipeline to replace urologists, burnout among urologists, and an aging workforce. The article emphasizes the importance of increasing residency positions, reducing burnout, and enhancing support for the urologic workforce. It also mentions the role of telehealth in providing access to care and highlights legislative efforts to support telehealth and increase reimbursement for physicians. [Extracted from the article]