What to Expect After Your Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure for men who no longer want to have children. While this type of surgery can seem intimidating, it’s a relatively simple procedure that has little to no side effects.

At Urology Specialist Group, our skilled urologists provide comprehensive care during and after your vasectomy to ensure a safe recovery. We use advanced surgical techniques to minimize your risk for scarring and other complications, so you can get back to your usual routine quickly after your vasectomy.

What’s involved in a vasectomy

A vasectomy is a low-risk procedure that only requires a local anesthetic. For men who no longer wish to have children, a vasectomy is a highly effective and safe birth control option.

During a vasectomy, our surgeons cut and tie off the vas deferens, the tube that sperm travel through during ejaculation. Our providers either use heat or surgical clips to block the vas deferens, so you can no longer get a woman pregnant. They only need one or two small incisions to access the tube.

After your vasectomy, sperm that doesn’t move into the seminal fluid won’t build up in your body. While your testicles will keep producing sperm, they will be reabsorbed naturally by your body without any additional treatment.

While some vasectomies are reversible, you should be certain that you’re done having children before undergoing a vasectomy, because a reversal is more complicated surgery.

What to expect during your vasectomy recovery

After your vasectomy is over, you should go home and rest. We advise that you limit your physical activities for at least 24 hours to prevent complications. You should be able to return to work within a few days of your procedure.

It’s normal to experience some bruising in the testicles after your procedure. A vasectomy can also cause mild discomfort or pain, which you can relieve with over-the-counter medications.

You will need to avoid sexual activity for two weeks after your vasectomy. Having sex too early can cause pain during ejaculation. You may even have some blood in your semen.

Busting vasectomy myths

There are several myths surrounding vasectomies, especially where sexual function is concerned. Having vasectomy doesn’t impact your sex drive at all and doesn’t cause erectile dysfunction. The only change you experience after a vasectomy is the inability to father a child.

Another myth to bust about vasectomies is that the procedure provides instant results. In reality, it takes several months before your semen no longer contains sperm. We can test your semen in the weeks after your vasectomy to determine when it’s safe to have sex without another form of birth control.

Finally, a vasectomy doesn’t increase your risk for prostate cancer. While you may have other risk factors for cancer, a vasectomy won’t play a role in the development of the disease.

If you’re interested in having a vasectomy as a permanent form of birth control, call the Urology Specialist Group office nearest to you to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.