Despite the limitations that you will have, moving and staying active after any procedure is imperative to your recovery process. Staying active after a vasectomy will help with not only wound healing and your physical health, but with your mental well-being as well.
In this article, we will explore things you can do to help your body heal from your vasectomy during each stage of recovery. We will get you back on your feet and back to your normal self as soon as possible.
Immediate Postoperative Period (Days 1-7)
Rest and Gentle Movement
Immediately after your vasectomy, you will want to take it easy for a day or two. Your activity will be limited to hanging out on the couch as well as walking around your home. Strenuous activity/exercise should be avoided in this period. The less active you are in the first few days, the lower your risk of developing significant scrotal swelling or hematoma.
Because you will have lighter activity during this time, it is important to keep your muscles loose and relaxed. You can do this with gentle stretching exercises, even while you’re resting and sitting on the couch. Take care to avoid any excess strain or pressure on your abdomen and ensure that your scrotum is well supported, even with light activity and stretching during this time.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises have long been thought to only benefit women, however, they can also do wonders to help men in a variety of capacities. These help strengthen your pelvic floor which can benefit you in a variety of ways, including improving sexual function.
Kegels help improve sexual function because they can help strengthen the muscle (bulbocavernosus) that helps the penis engorge with blood and aids in ejaculation. Exercising muscles improves blood flow and improved blood flow to this area during your recovery will help with the overall healing process. So not only will you help speed along your recovery, but you may even notice an improvement in your sexual function once you are cleared to resume sexual activity.
Now… you may be wondering, “how exactly do you do a kegel???” The next time you pee, stop mid-stream. The next time you need to fart, but maybe want to wait until you are by yourself, notice the muscles you are using to hold it in. These two groups comprise your pelvic floor and what you will aim to exercise during a kegel. You should tighten the muscles, hold for a few seconds, and relax for a few seconds and repeat!
Week 2-4 After Vasectomy
Gradual Return to Normal Activities
You can gradually return to your normal activities around 2 weeks after your vasectomy. At this point, you should listen to your body and use that as your guide to getting back to normal. If you try to resume your normal workout routine but notice significant discomfort or swelling, take some time to rest and when you try again, make sure to take things down a notch. Once you are able to comfortably exercise, you can gradually increase from there.
There is no shame in the game if it takes some time before you’re back to 100%. You really don’t want to push things too far or do something that your body isn’t ready for. Everyone’s body is slightly different. We can make general recommendations but some people may feel totally comfortable resuming regular activity at the two week mark, while others may experience a little discomfort and have to keep activity a little light for a little longer. Cues from your body can help guide you during your recovery process.
It is also super helpful to wear supportive underwear or a jock strap as you’re starting to increase your physical activity. This will help with not only comfort, but swelling!
Cardiovascular Exercises
When adding activities back into your regular routine, a great place to start is with lower-impact cardio.This includes things like swimming, hiking, rowing, riding on a stationary bike, etc. Essentially anything that will get your heart pumping, which helps improve circulation and wound healing. The goal is to help the rest of your body without putting too much strain on your scrotum.
Long-Term Exercise Recommendations
Strength Training and Flexibility Exercises
In general, training should incorporate multiple different avenues. As mentioned above, cardio helps to improve circulation which can, in turn, improve wound healing. However, after taking a few days off to lounge around the couch and a couple of weeks of lighter activity than you are used to, you may notice some stiffness or loss of muscle tone. It is important to slowly reincorporate everything to have a well-balanced workout.
To increase/maintain muscle tone, weight training is key. When looping this back into your routine after your vasectomy, start light and start by choosing muscle groups that would not require significant strain on the abdomen. This helps to avoid excess stress on the scrotum, but as time goes on, you can turn your attention back to your core! If you have gone for some time without your normal workout routine and especially after resting for several days, your muscles may be stiff. Stretching is an important aspect to add in. It will help improve flexibility and reduce risk of injury as you are returning to your normal and active routine. It is always a good idea to stretch before exercises to help warm up the muscles and loosen them up as well as after to reduce soreness.
Sports and Intense Activities
Sports and higher intensity physical activity can gradually be resumed as tolerated, but you should 100% check with your provider before going full send. You will want to make sure that your incisions are completely healed. You should also make sure that you have been able to tolerate less strenuous activity without much difficulty, soreness, or swelling. The most important thing is to protect your scrotum and testicles during sports that put you at risk for injury. If you are starting a sport, that means you have made it through the recovery process so the last thing you want to happen is an injury to your recent surgical site or your testicles. That could reset the progress you’ve made or even require another procedure!!
Consultation with Healthcare Provider:
Every person is different and so is every healthcare provider. Your surgeon will have more specific preferences and recommendations for you personally, as they know you the best and they are the one who did your procedure. Because everything in this article is very generalized, if there are any specific concerns that you have about your recovery, you should discuss it with your provider.
While you do have activity limitations after a vasectomy, we have helpful tips along every stage of the healing process to help with your healing and recovery. In the immediate days following your vasectomy, you should be taking it easy. Kegels can help improve blood flow to the area as well as potentially even improve sexual function once you resume. When starting off with physical activity, start light and gradually progress. Don’t forget that your body will be your best guide in knowing what you are able to tolerate post-procedure. However, your healthcare provider can also help you and provide recommendations specific to you if needed.
