A new study suggests more men are undergoing a special procedure so they can watch March Madness: Getting a vasectomy.
Studying a craze some have called “Vas Madness,” researchers from the athenahealth network found there was a 30% increase in vasectomy procedures during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament than in an average week. Although recovery time for each person varies, doctors advise patients to spend at least two or three days at home after the procedure, leaving plenty of time to rest in front of the TV (away from the office).
Researchers analyzed data from 235,000 patient visits by men ages 20-49 at 173 urology practices across the athenahealth network from March 14, 2016 to March 18, 2016 — the first week of last year’s tournament.
They also found that men were more likely to schedule these visits on a Friday — leaving that weekend free for the first and second rounds of the tournament.
But the basketball fans aren’t the only ones to take advantage of this opportunity. Doctors around the country have promoted the NCAA Tournament as a prime time for the procedure. Doctors at the University of Utah Health, athenahealth said, are offering extra hours and discounts for men interested in the procedure from March 16-31.
Last year, the Texas-based Urology Team offered a special deal for men interested in getting vasectomies during the tournament, MONEY reported.
The 2017 NCAA Tournament tipped off Thursday afternoon.