10 Things to Expect After Having a Vasectomy
Vasectomies have become popular birth control solutions for men who no longer want to father children. In fact, there are millions of these procedures performed all over the world each year, with roughly 500,000 in the U.S. alone. With an extremely low failure rate at 0.15%, vasectomies are trusted by men who are sure they do not want a pregnancy with a partner in the future. Fortunately, the procedure itself is quite simple, so it’s something men can have done with confidence. If this is something you’re considering for yourself, then it’s important to understand what to expect once the “snip” is done.
- Pain and Bruising
The recovery after a vasectomy isn’t nearly as painful as most men anticipate it will be. The majority only experience slight bruising as well as soreness that’s managed quite well with mild pain medications. While you can still move around, you’ll want to try and rest for the first couple of days to help make sure the area can heal as quickly as possible. Some men will take a couple of days off of work, although many who work desk jobs do return back to work while simply making sure to take it easy. Fortunately, within a week, you should feel like you’re back to normal and can resume activities once again.
- The Need for Extra Support
It’s recommended to wear snug-fitting underwear the first few days after the procedure is completed. An athletic supporter may also suffice, depending on what you feel is most comfortable. Stock up on a few different types of underwear before the vasectomy so you have them ready to go when you get back home.
- Swelling
Swelling is extremely common and nothing to be worried about. However, you can ease the tenderness that this causes by wrapping ice or frozen peas in a towel and placing it against the skin. Elevating the scrotum is another great way to help minimize the swelling, which can be done by placing a towel underneath the area.
- Stitch Removal
Stitches will need to be removed roughly 7-10 days after the vasectomy is done. To do this, you’ll need to visit your doctor so they can take care of this removal as carefully as possible. During this time, they’ll also be able to do a check to make sure the healing is on track and everything looks like it is recovered.
- Using Protection During Sexual Intercourse
Although a vasectomy does prevent the sperm from reaching the semen, the results are not always immediate. In fact, it can take up to 3 months for the semen to have no sperm in it. For this reason, you must wear protection if you want to have intercourse without the possibility of pregnancy. Fortunately, your doctor will check a sample of your semen at the 6-8 week mark to see whether or not there is any sperm present. If there isn’t, then you are good to go and can stop using protection as you would like. However, if there is, then you’ll have to wait a little bit longer and have testing repeated in a few more weeks.
Tip: Most semen samples can be done at home so you don’t have the pressure of providing one immediately in the doctor’s office.
- The Appearance of a Scar
Scarring is a normal part of a vasectomy and is nothing to be scared of. The scars that are left behind are very small and are often very difficult to see. However, for men who have a lot of wrinkles or hair in the area, the scars can be more noticeable as they can have a more difficult time healing.
- No Change in Your Sex Drive
Some men anticipate that their sex drive may be negatively impacted by this procedure. However, this is not the case for the majority of individuals. In general, this should have absolutely no impact on how often you would like to have sex. Everything will still seemingly work as normal, so nothing will feel different when you are intimate once again.
- Questions About What is Normal
If you end up having questions about what is normal, 13Snip Sydney recommends talking to your doctor as soon as possible. This is especially true if you feel a lump or see blood in your semen. However, even simple questions should be asked right away in order to give you peace of mind. It’s important to be informed about your body, so you should never be scared to ask about what’s going on.
- Freedom With Your Partner
If you have one partner, you can expect a lot more freedom after you have healed from the vasectomy. The success rate of this procedure is very high, as it’s almost 100% effective. However, if you have multiple partners, it’s important to remember that there is still a risk of STDs. For this reason, you should still wear protection if you’re intimate with someone new. A vasectomy is only going to protect you from creating a pregnancy.
- Considering a Reversal
Some men do change their mind and decide to have a reverse vasectomy done as a result. While this is possible for some individuals, it’s not guaranteed. The rate of success varies based on many factors, including the type of reversal done and the age of the man. This is why it’s so important for men to deeply consider whether or not this is what they want before they have the vasectomy done in the first place.
What is a Vasectomy Like?
Men who have this procedure done find that it’s not nearly as scary or painful as they originally imagined. In fact, most find that the pain is easily managed and they feel great just a few days afterward. If this is something you’re considering, one important piece of advice is to take your time to determine whether or not it’s the right choice for you. Since a reversal is never guaranteed, you’ll want to go into the decision with confidence and peace of mind.
