You can go home after your vasectomy, but you will experience some pain during the first few days after surgery. As a form of contraception, vasectomy can take months to become effective, so preventive measures are needed. However, by following your doctor's orders and being able to take good care of yourself, you will be able to recover more quickly.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Controlling Pain After Surgery
Step 1. There will be mild swelling and pain in your scrotum after surgery
There may also be a small amount of fluid leaking from the incision. This is completely normal and will recover in a matter of days. You can use a bandage and/or gauze as directed by your doctor.
- Using a small mirror, examine your scrotum 1-2 times per day to see how it heals. If the swelling seems to be getting worse, or you notice a lot of redness or bruising that doesn't go away, see your doctor right away.
- Healing after surgery usually does not cause complications. The scrotum will begin to look normal a few days after surgery.
Step 2. Take pain medication as needed
Pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) will usually suffice. Pain relievers with stronger doses should be given directly by a doctor. However, usually over-the-counter medications are sufficient to relieve the pain experienced by men.
Avoid taking aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) for pain relief as they can negatively affect your recovery
Step 3. Use an ice pack to relieve pain and reduce swelling
Compress the scrotal area for 20 minutes about once an hour or so. Do this the first two days after surgery. After that, use ice to help relieve pain and swelling.
- Compressing with ice helps reduce inflammation in the scrotal area as well as swelling, thereby helping to reduce symptoms of pain and discomfort.
- Compressing the scrotum early after surgery will help speed up the body's recovery process.
Step 4. Put on scrotal support pants
Keep these pants on for 2-4 hours after surgery. You can also wear tight underwear or jockstrap as they can help relieve discomfort and protect the scrotal area.
Step 5. Be patient
Most of the bothersome symptoms such as pain and swelling will go away after a week. Call your doctor if these symptoms persist, or if you notice complications such as infection.
- Symptoms of infection that may appear after surgery include fever, bleeding or pus from the surgical area, and/or pain and swelling that gets worse.
- Also pay attention to other complications, such as persistent bleeding after 2 days of surgery (or a large bruise on the scrotum called a "hematoma"), "sperm granuloma" (a harmless solid form on the testicles in response to the body's immune system); and/or persistent pain.
Part 2 of 2: Changing Your Lifestyle After Surgery
Step 1. Do not take blood-thinning medication for a few days after surgery
If you have to, check with your doctor first because blood-thinning medications can increase the risk of postoperative bleeding.
The duration of blood-thinning medications varies from person to person, depending on the person's reason for taking this medication. Ask your doctor when you can resume your usual medication
Step 2. Get plenty of rest
Rest is one of the most important factors in vasectomy recovery. You may need to take a few days off work or reduce your daily activities to speed healing. You should recover fairly quickly, 2-3 days, unless your job is heavy or involves lifting heavy objects. If that's the case, ask your doctor when you should start lifting heavy objects.
- Try not to lift too much heavy objects the first 2-3 days after surgery. Ask someone else to lift it if you have to move heavy objects so you can relax and recover.
- Try to do light activities after the vasectomy. You should limit physical activity for 5 days after surgery and not lift heavy objects for at least 1 week.
- Lifting heavy objects will overload the surgical area, interfering with healing. You can return to exercise after 5 days. Start with light exercise. After a few weeks you can return to your normal routine.
Step 3. Refrain from doing any sexual activity for 1 week
Ejaculation can be painful and in the early stages of a vasectomy sometimes causes bleeding. Therefore, do not have sexual activity for about 1 week after the vasectomy.
- When you are about to have sexual activity (a week after surgery and you are comfortable with it), you should still use contraception until the results of a follow-up test with your doctor confirm your sperm count is zero. It usually takes 20 ejaculations after surgery until the remaining sperm are completely exhausted.
- Overall, the results of the vasectomy did not change a man's sexual function. Many men fear that a vasectomy can affect arousal, erection, and/or sensation during orgasm. But research has shown that vasectomy is not as bad as feared.
- Research also shows that a woman's sexual satisfaction will increase after her partner undergoes a vasectomy. This may be due to the growing belief that there will be no unwanted pregnancies.
- There is still a risk of pregnancy after a vasectomy, although it is very small (only 0.1% per year). Even if both ends of the vas deferens have been severed, there is little chance that sperm can pass through and create a pregnancy. However it is so low in vasectomy (or "tubal ligation" in women) that it is still considered the most effective form of contraception for couples who decide they no longer want to have children.
Step 4. Do not swim or bathe for 1-2 days after the vasectomy
Depending on the technique used by your doctor, there may be stitches in your scrotum. To prevent the infection from getting worse, keep the stitches dry by not swimming or bathing for the first few days after surgery.
To be on the safe side, ask your doctor if you can shower or swim
Tips
Ask other people for help during the first few days after your surgery. You will need to rest and not engage in strenuous activity during the early days of recovery, so ask a family member or friend for help
Warning
- If you want to use over-the-counter pain relievers, buy Tylenol (acetaminophen) which is safe to use. Aspirin or Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) are not suitable because they can delay the healing of the vasectomy.
- Follow the taboos and restrictions that your doctor has given you so you can recover from your vasectomy. You are at risk for other bleeding and pain in the scrotum if you violate the taboos that have been given.
