You should avoid taking aspirin and aspirin-like medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) for one week before your procedure. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain.
Sleep on your back with your feet raised a few days after surgery to promote circulation and speed healing. Wear snug cotton briefs or a jock strap for support.
Pain
The scrotal area can be painful for the first few days after a vasectomy. This pain typically subsides as the healing process continues. A small amount of oozing is normal as the incision site heals. If you see a lot of pus, redness, or worsening swelling during this time, contact your urologist.
You will likely be told to wear a jockstrap or other supportive underwear on the day of the procedure to help support the scrotum and reduce pain and swelling. You may also be given ice packs to apply to the scrotal area several times a day to help reduce swelling and discomfort. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for the duration of the vasectomy recovery period.
When you go home, it’s important to rest as much as possible for the first three or four days after your vasectomy to reduce pain and swelling. Avoid strenuous activities like heavy exercise or lifting and resume regular activities as soon as your doctor says it’s okay to do so. It’s important to call your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection, including blood oozing from the surgical site or a temperature higher than 100.4 F (38 C).
Be sure to tell your urologist about all medications you take, including those bought without a prescription and vitamins or supplements. You should also avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (brand names include Advil and Motrin), naproxen (brand name Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis) for a week prior to your surgery because they can thin the blood and increase bleeding during or after the procedure. Acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) is an acceptable substitute for these pain relievers.
It is also a good idea to wait a week before having sex to allow the tissues and vas deferens tubes that have been injured during the procedure time to heal. Many men experience pain during ejaculation or even have blood in their semen, but this is not harmful and should be resolved with time. It is a good idea to use birth control during this time as well to prevent pregnancy. You will need to visit your urologist for a sperm count before you can have unprotected sex.
Bleeding
It’s normal to have some bleeding from the incision site after a vasectomy. The amount of blood is typically less than you’d expect from any other surgical procedure, but it can occur. Some men experience a little bruising and swelling around the area, which should go away after a few days. You can usually control discomfort with over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol).
The most common type of bleeding after a vasectomy is called venous hematoma. This is a collection of blood in the scrotal sac. It can be painful because it’s pressing against the scrotum. Often, the doctor can fix this by placing a pressure band on the scrotum or compressing it with ice packs.
An arterial hematoma is another kind of bleeding after a vasectomy that occurs when the surgeon cuts or clamps the artery during surgery. This is more dangerous than a venous hematoma because it can be fatal if it causes the blood vessels to burst. It’s more likely to happen with older types of vasectomies than with the newer ’keyhole’ method of vasectomy.
Hematomas can also be caused by strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects, sports, or sexual activity after the procedure. This is why it’s important to rest for a few days after the surgery and not engage in these kinds of activities until you’re fully healed.
It’s not a good idea to take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) after a vasectomy because they increase the risk of bleeding or bruising around the incision site. It’s also best to avoid sex for about seven days after a vasectomy unless your doctor approves it. You should always use a different form of birth control when engaging in sex until your doctor confirms that your semen is free of sperm.
You can resume everyday activities within a few days after the vasectomy, but you should avoid strenuous exercise or lifting until your doctor says it’s OK. It’s also a good idea to wear loose-fitting underwear or an athletic supporter (jock strap) to help keep the area supported as it heals.
Infection
Some people experience a minor infection in the groin area after vasectomy. If this happens, a person should seek medical attention as soon as possible because infections can lead to serious complications such as sepsis. Infections are often the result of poor hygiene. Men should regularly clean the groin area using an antibacterial soap. They should also wear tight underwear such as a jock strap or compression shorts to reduce the risk of an infection.
Many men resume normal activities within a week after having a vasectomy. This includes going back to work, although this may depend on the job type and whether it requires strenuous activity. Some men can even return to work the day after the surgery.
However, a few days after the procedure, most men notice some pain and swelling in their groin. Some also have blood in their scrotum or urine. This is usually caused by a sperm granuloma, which forms in response to sperm leaking from the snipped sections of the vas deferens. The pain is typically mild and can be managed with over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen.
A small percentage of men experience a long-term ache in their groin after a vasectomy. This is called post-vasectomy pain syndrome. It is usually mild and can be relieved by taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It is important to avoid alcoholic beverages and tobacco products and to take any medications as directed. It is also a good idea to stay hydrated after having a vasectomy.
There is a very remote chance of something called recanalization, in which the snipped segments of the vas deferens reform. This is the reason you may hear of a case where “the vasectomy didn’t work.” It’s very uncommon for this to happen, though.
You can start having sex again seven days after a vasectomy, but it is important to use another form of birth control until your doctor confirms that your semen no longer contains sperm. This is typically done through a semen analysis that is scheduled during your follow-up appointment six to 12 weeks after the operation.
Discomfort
A vasectomy is one of the simplest forms of surgical, permanent birth control available. The procedure is performed in a doctor’s office or surgery center with local anesthesia, which means you’ll be awake during the surgery but won’t feel any pain. However, the recovery from a vasectomy takes time and requires you to be careful about physical activity like exercise or sex. Rushing back to work or ignoring your doctor’s instructions can lead to complications, so it is important to understand what to expect and what to do if you experience problems.
Most men who get a vasectomy report mild pain and swelling after the procedure. This can be relieved with ice packs (placed over the scrotum for 20 minutes at a time over the first few days) and doctor-approved over-the-counter Tylenol. If you notice severe pain, bruising, or fluid around the incision site, contact your doctor, as this may be a sign of infection or internal bleeding.
During the vasectomy procedure, your healthcare provider will inject medicine into your groin area to numb the scrotum. They will then make 1 or 2 small cuts (incisions) in the scrotum with a scalpel or with a pointed clamp. The vas deferens are lifted through the incision and cut, and the ends of the tubes are sealed off with skin glue or stitches. After the procedure, you’ll rest for a while until you are ready to go home.
You can shower the day after your procedure, but make sure you dry the genital area gently and thoroughly to prevent irritation. Avoid rubbing or scratching the scrotal area; don’t use a cotton ball. You should also make sure you have a ride to and from the clinic or surgery center on the day of your vasectomy.
It’s usually safe to start having sex after you get a vasectomy, but you should continue using another form of birth control for 8 to 12 weeks afterward. This is because some sperm can stay in the tubes leading to the penis after a vasectomy. The surgeon will test your semen for sperm after the operation to confirm it worked.
