A vasectomy is a form of permanent sterilization that involves an office-based procedure to remove a piece of the vas deferens. The vas deferens is the tube that carries sperm into the ejaculate, so removing a piece and blocking off the two ends prevents sperm from reaching the semen, thus preventing pregnancy.
As with any procedure, there are some side effects and risks. For most men, the benefits of never having to worry about an unwanted pregnancy is worth the small chance of experiencing the side effects or risks. Before you get a vasectomy, you should consider these and make sure the procedure is worth it to you!
What is the Vasectomy Process?
At Purely Vasectomies, we make sure the vasectomy process is super streamlined for you. The process involves a consultation, the procedure, and post-vasectomy testing afterward. Sometimes, the consultation and procedure can even be on the same day.
The vasectomy procedure involves one or two small incisions on the scrotum (depending on your anatomy and the doctor performing the procedure). The procedure takes around 30 minutes, sometimes a little less or a little more, also depending on your anatomy. The procedure is done in the office and you will be able to go home right after.
You may be offered some nitrous oxide to help take the edge off, but this is not 100% necessary. Your doctor will be injecting numbing medicine to help with the discomfort during the procedure. After the procedure, Tylenol and Motrin are sufficient to keep your pain under control.
You will have to take it easy for the first day or two and refrain from sex and strenuous activity for about a week. After that you’ll be able to slowly return to normal activity as tolerated.
After about 50 ejaculations, you will do your post-vasectomy semen analysis test to confirm that there is no longer any sperm present in your semen. You should continue to use other forms of contraception between your procedure and the lab test results. But once you get the results, you are good to go!
That was a general overview of the process from beginning to end. Let’s talk about the nitty gritty and everything else you need to know before having your vasectomy!
Common Short-Term Side Effects
The most common side effects after a vasectomy are pain, swelling, and bruising. The pain/discomfort is typically well managed with tylenol/motrin without need for any stronger pain medications.
Swelling and bruising are very common with procedures on the scrotum. These can be minimized with ice on and off and rest the first day or so. A lot of guys also find it helpful to wear scrotal support such as a jock strap or tight briefs for the first week to keep the scrotum elevated and close to the body.
These side effects can be made worse by doing anything that puts too much pressure on the scrotum– spending long days on your feet the day of/after, doing anything that requires a straddle for the first week or two (bike riding, horse riding, ATV, etc), doing anything strenuous such as running or jumping without scrotal support, etc.
Possible Long-Term Side Effects
One possible long term side effect to be aware of is the potential for chronic testicular pain. This happens in about 1-2% of guys, and can last a few months after the vasectomy or longer. This can impact your quality of life but very few of these men will require another procedure/intervention for the pain.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
Let’s go over some common thoughts surrounding a vasectomy and set the record straight!
“A vasectomy is immediately effective.”
This is false. A vasectomy is not immediately effective. Testing should not be done until 3 months after the procedure. You should have at least 20 ejaculations during that time before you get tested. A different form of birth control should be used during that time period.
“The procedure is painful”
We do our best at Purely Vasectomies to keep everything as comfortable as possible. You have the option to use nitrous oxide to help with the anxiety during the procedure. You will also get a numbing medication injection which takes away the sharp sensation of the instruments. During the procedure you may just feel pressure and tugging. After the procedure you will feel sore but the discomfort is eased with just tylenol and motrin over the counter.
“The post-vasectomy semen analysis shows sperm. The vasectomy did not work”
This is not completely true. If the first semen analysis shows sperm, that does not always mean the procedure was a failure. Some guys take a little bit longer to clear the tubes. Other guys may still have a very low number of sperm that don’t move, which is still considered a successful vasectomy
“A vasectomy affects your sexual health”
This is most likely true, but not in the way that you would think! While vasectomies do not affect sexual function, erections, or sensation, both men and women have reported improved satisfaction in the bedroom following the vasectomy. Less worry about contraception leaves more time for the fun stuff!
Benefits vs Risks
Benefits:
- Short term “risk” for long term reward: a vasectomy is a one time procedure with lasting results. This means you take the discomfort and risk up front and then hopefully never have to worry about birth control in the future. Other forms of birth control require hormones, exchange of an implant, remembering to buy condoms, etc. After a vasectomy, those things can be in the past!
- Better sex: A lot of couples have reported improvement in the bedroom without the fear of an unwanted pregnancy or the interruption of another form of contraception
- Cost-effective birth control: as mentioned above, this is a one time procedure with an up front cost. This takes away the need for different types of birth control down the line which could end up being regular condom purchases or birth control co-pays, etc.
Risks:
- Up-front risks of the procedure including:
- Pain/discomfort: normal and expected and easily well managed with over the counter medications
- Bleeding: can be reduced with taking it easy for a few days after the procedure
- Infection: very uncommon with this type of procedure and the risk can be minimized with good hygiene after the procedure
- Risks of vasectomy procedure failure:
- Short-term failure: the semen analysis has persistence of sperm, which is typically a procedural failure and very rare
- Long-term failure: return of sperm in semen after a negative semen analysis or a pregnancy after a negative semen analysis. We cannot always explain why this happens but it is also very rare.
When to Contact Your Doctor
While it is normal to experience bruising, swelling, and pain/discomfort after the procedure, if these symptoms are progressively getting worse instead of better, that would be a reason to call your doctor. If you are having a fever or showing any signs of infection such as purulent drainage (white, milky, cloudy) from your incision or spreading redness/warmth of the skin, you should call your doctor. If you have any questions or concerns in general about your recovery after the procedure, you should call your doctor. Here at Purely Vasectomies, we are here to support you every step of the way and that includes during the recovery process.
Overall, a vasectomy is a simple office procedure that is considered a permanent form of contraception for men. There are some minor side effects and small risks of the procedure, but it is overall very safe and very well tolerated. It is up to you to decide if the benefits of a vasectomy outweigh the possible risks, but rest assured that at Purely Vasectomies, we will be with you every step of the way, starting with your consultation.
