What Are Some Common Vasectomy Side Effects?

A vasectomy procedure is a safe, effective, and long-term form of birth control for men and their female sexual partners. It is a simple surgical procedure that uses local anesthetic and does not carry significant risks. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm) is cut and tied to prevent sperm from reaching semen. Compared to other birth control methods like tubal ligation in women, vasectomy surgery is both convenient and cost-effective. However, like other surgical procedures, there are some risks associated with vasectomy for male birth control. Please continue reading to learn about the common side effects and possible complications associated with a vasectomy procedure.

What are the downsides of a vasectomy?

The downsides or disadvantages of a vasectomy include:

Not 100% reliable

Vasectomy surgery provides permanent contraception in men. However, while it is a very effective form of birth control, it is not 100% reliable. According to the American Urological Association guidelines, the risk of pregnancy is 1 in 2,000 men who have undergone a successful vasectomy. However, according to this same vasectomy guideline, less than 1% of men have a failed vasectomy that needs to be repeated.

Difficult to reverse

Vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control. You should be sure you do not want any more children before undergoing a vasectomy for male contraception. Vasectomy reversal is possible if you and your partner change your minds. But having a vasectomy reversed is a complicated and expensive procedure. You may need in vitro fertilization to achieve a pregnancy.

Not immediately effective

You must undergo a semen analysis in a doctor’s office before you can have unprotected sex after a vasectomy. This test is typically performed 6-12 weeks after a vasectomy to check sperm counts. Only once your doctor confirms that the vas deferens have been blocked and there is no sperm in your semen can you have unprotected sex.

Carries surgical risks

Like all surgical procedures, vasectomy carries some risks, including excessive bleeding, infection, hematoma (blood clot or blood collection), and sperm granulomas (these are usually painless but can occasionally cause chronic pain). Some complications may require medications for pain relief and others may require further surgery.

Doesn’t prevent STDs

Getting a vasectomy will not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS. If you are at risk of acquiring these infections, you should continue using condoms or other methods of protection every time you have sexual intercourse.

What are the common side effects of a vasectomy?

Common side effects of a vasectomy include minor pain, redness, and swelling in the genital area at the surgical site. These short-term postoperative side effects usually get better in a few days. If you experience increasingly worse pain or you have redness, swelling, or oozing in the genital area after a vasectomy, seek immediate medical attention.

The traditional vasectomy surgery involves making one or two small incisions (cuts) in the scrotum. Another technique is called a no-scalpel vasectomy where the skin is pierced with sharp forceps. A no-scalpel vasectomy is associated with fewer complications such as bleeding, infection, and hematoma.

Can a vasectomy cause long-term (chronic) pain?

In extremely rare cases, men develop a condition called post-vasectomy pain syndrome in which there is chronic pain in one or both testicles that is still present three months or more after a vasectomy procedure. This type of long-term pain can be a dull ache in one or both testicles, chronic scrotal pain, pressure or pain with ejaculation, pain during sex, or pain at the surgical incision site. Post-vasectomy pain syndrome can be treated with pain relievers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen), supportive underwear, ice, heat, and physical therapy. In severe cases, other surgical procedures may be required to treat this condition.

Does vasectomy increase prostate cancer risk?

Some studies found that men who had undergone vasectomy at least two decades ago were twice as likely to develop prostate cancer compared to non-sterilized men. However, other studies have shown that vasectomy is not one of the risk factors for prostate cancer.

Evidence suggests that the statistically significant link between vasectomy and prostate cancer is due to other risk factors. It could be due to increased testing and earlier diagnosis of prostate cancer in sterilized men of the same age group rather than an actual increase in cancer risk.

Also, there is no increased risk of testicular cancer, immune-based illnesses, or heart disease after vasectomy. Immune reactions can lead to the formation of anti-sperm antibodies after vasectomy, but these antibodies do not increase the risk of immune based illnesses.

Can a vasectomy cause long-term effects?

The risk of serious complications after vasectomy is rare, but includes:

Chronic scrotal pain
Pain with ejaculation or sexual intercourse
Sperm granuloma and inflammation
Pregnancy due to vasectomy failure

Do men feel different after a vasectomy?

Men do not feel different after a vasectomy. A vasectomy does not affect sexual function, erectile function, libido (sex drive), sexual satisfaction, or testosterone levels. A man still produces sperm after a vasectomy and can enjoy a normal sex life without the risk of unwanted pregnancies. The only significant difference is that the sperm cannot get into semen because the vas deferens (tubes that carry sperm) have been tied.

References: