Doctor Promotes Vasectomies Under Laughing Gas, Sparks Female Outrage

A Viral TikTok Video Sparks Conversation About Pain Management in Women’s Healthcare

A recent TikTok video by an Idaho urologist has gone viral, drawing attention not only for its creative approach to marketing a vasectomy but also for highlighting long-standing disparities in pain management within reproductive healthcare. The video, which showcases the procedure with a unique twist—using virtual reality and nitrous oxide to make the experience more enjoyable—has sparked a broader conversation about how women are treated during medical procedures.

Dr. Austen Slade, the urologist behind the video, presented the vasectomy as something that could be both fun and relaxing. He encouraged viewers to “trip out” on pain medication while wearing VR goggles, calling it the “ultimate relaxation package.” The video received praise from many men who appreciated the innovative and patient-centered approach. However, what initially seemed like a lighthearted marketing strategy quickly turned into a platform for women to express their frustrations over inadequate pain management in their own healthcare experiences.

The comments section became a space where women shared their stories of being dismissed or under-treated when it came to pain relief during procedures such as IUD insertions, cervical biopsies, and even abdominal surgeries. Many described feeling ignored or minimized when they expressed discomfort, often receiving only ibuprofen or no medication at all.

One woman recounted passing out and throwing up after her IUD insertion, then returning to work shortly after. Another shared how she was denied time off after an IUD placement, despite the intense pain she experienced. Others spoke of undergoing procedures without any anesthesia, sometimes crying or nearly losing consciousness due to the pain.

Some stories were particularly harrowing. One user described a gynecologist brushing off her pain during an IUD placement, telling her, “You're going to be fine,” before walking away. Another shared the experience of having an unanesthetized cervical biopsy while battling cancer, describing the extreme pain and emotional distress.

These accounts led to a wave of anger and disbelief among women, many of whom felt that their pain was not taken seriously. One user expressed frustration: “They make women endure colposcopies, uterine biopsies, and IUD placement with ZERO pain management and offer this to men for something they get completely numbed for?!”

The disparity in treatment extended beyond just pain management. Some women mentioned that their partners were allowed to stay with them during procedures, while they were left alone. This added another layer of emotional distress for those already dealing with physical pain.

While some women found the concept of a more comfortable vasectomy amusing, others were upset that such options were not available to them. One woman said, “I'm happy for them, but this made me irrationally ANGRY with what women have to go through.” Another joked, “PLEASE put this on my OBGYN's FYP (for you page) not mine LMAO.”

Dr. Slade responded to the backlash, acknowledging the concerns raised by female patients. He wrote, “That just isn't right,” in response to one comment about the disparity in care. He also addressed questions about why he wasn’t liking many of the comments from women, explaining that it felt uncomfortable to like stories about being poorly treated. He added that he had reached out to several gynecologists about the feedback he was receiving.

Despite the controversy, the 11-second TikTok video achieved its goal of generating attention and engagement. It garnered nearly one million views, received a lot of laughs, and prompted dozens of people to express interest in booking the procedure. However, it also unintentionally sparked a larger conversation about inequity in pain management and the need for change in how healthcare systems treat women.

As one commenter put it, “Like. Yes. This is good. But also do this for women. Hear that OBGYNs???” The video may have started as a marketing stunt, but it has opened the door for important discussions about fairness and compassion in reproductive healthcare.