What You Should Know About Vasectomy Recovery

Currently, men’s only birth control options are condoms and vasectomy surgery. While condoms need to be used every time you have sex, vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control for men and their partners. It has a nearly 100% success rate in preventing pregnancy. According to the American Urological Association, over half a million vasectomies are performed in the US each year. Please keep reading to learn more about this procedure, including how it is done and the vasectomy recovery timeline.

What happens during a vasectomy?

During a vasectomy, the surgeon cuts and seals the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm to semen. It is similar to a tubal ligation in women (having your “tubes tied”). Vasectomy is a safe and effective form of contraception with a low risk of complications. It is done as an outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic.

Once the local anesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon makes a small cut in the scrotum. (You can also get a no-scalpel vasectomy, which is done by making a small puncture instead of a cut or incision.) The surgeon then locates and withdraws the vas deferens (the tube that transports sperm), cuts it, and seals it using heat (cauterization), surgical clips, or a combination of the two. The wound is closed, and you can go home the same day of the procedure.

Is birth control with vasectomy permanent?

Yes, vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control for men. While vasectomy reversal is possible, you should undergo this procedure only when you are sure you don’t want more children in the future. While it has a high success rate, it is not foolproof. There is a risk of pregnancy in a female sexual partner in 1 in 2,000 men who have had a successful vasectomy.

What are the advantages of getting a vasectomy?

Getting a vasectomy means you can have unprotected sex with your female partner (you don’t need to use a condom every time you have sex). This is not only convenient but also saves money. Plus, you save money on birth control methods such as contraceptive pills for your female partner.

Is vasectomy painful?

Most men experience mild pain and a sensation of pulling or tugging during a vasectomy procedure. There can also be a little discomfort and a few side effects like bruising and swelling in the genital area during vasectomy recovery. However, other than this minor pain, severe pain or chronic pain is not common.

In rare cases, men can develop post-vasectomy pain syndrome (chronic testicular pain that is present three months after the procedure). This type of pain can be treated with medications, ice pack, heat, supportive underwear, and physical therapy.

Why do you have to wait 2 months after vasectomy?

A vasectomy is not immediately effective. You are not considered sterile during the first few ejaculations. It can take several weeks to months (15-20 ejaculations) to clear all the sperm in your semen. Therefore, you need to use other methods of birth control after a vasectomy until your urologist confirms that the vas deferens has been blocked.

Your urologist will do a post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) test 6-12 weeks after your vasectomy to make sure there is no sperm leaking. Once your sperm count is zero (there is no sperm in your semen), you can have sex without using condoms. If sperm is still present, you may need additional treatment.

You should note that while a vasectomy is an effective form of birth control, it does not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS. If you are at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, you should continue using condoms or other forms of protection even after getting a vasectomy.

How long after a vasectomy until you feel normal?

Most men feel normal about a week after their vasectomy. You will need to rest for the first 24 hours during the vasectomy recovery process. You can start doing light activities around the home 2-3 days later. But you should continue to avoid sports and strenuous activity as well as ejaculation and sexual activity for a week. Failure to do so can lead to pain and bleeding inside the scrotum.

How do I take care of my partner after a vasectomy?

Here’s how you can take care of your partner after a vasectomy:

Allow him to get some rest for the first few days after the procedure. Keeping the feet elevated may help to speed up the healing process.
Encourage him to limit strenuous activities for the first week after vasectomy, including sports, physical activity in a gym, and heavy lifting.
Avoid sex until your partner’s urologist says it is okay.
Keep the genital area clean and dry to prevent infection.
He can shower after 24 hours, but he should avoid baths and hot tubs for at least 48 hours.
Make sure he wears a bandage, tight-fitting underwear, or athletic supporter for the scrotum for 2 days after the vasectomy.
Apply ice packs to the scrotum for the first two days to reduce swelling.
If your partner takes blood thinning medications, follow his healthcare provider’s instructions on when to restart blood thinners during vasectomy recovery.
To prevent pregnancy, do not have unprotected sex until you get the test results for the post-vasectomy semen analysis showing that the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm) is blocked. Use other methods of birth control until the surgeon confirms that sperm is no longer present in his semen.
Call the doctor immediately if you notice blood in the semen or signs of scrotum infection such as worsening pain, redness, swelling, oozing in the genital area, or a temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.

Does vasectomy affect sexual performance?

No, vasectomy does not affect a man’s sexual function, including his libido (sex drive) or erectile function (ability to get and maintain erections for satisfactory sexual intercourse). Moreover, there is a very low risk of damage to other sexual organs such as the penis or testicles during a vasectomy procedure. There have been some concerns about a higher risk of testicular or prostate cancer, heart disease, stroke, and dementia after vasectomy, but these links have not been proven and vasectomy is not a risk factor for these health problems.

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