The Ultimate Guide to Vasectomy Aftercare:

If you're preparing for a vasectomy, you've come to the right place!

Here are some simple steps a man can take before and after vasectomy to have less discomfort, better healing and recovery, and prevent infection.

The good news is that for most men, recovery after a vasectomy is relatively easy and painless when these steps are followed.

1. Buy an Athletic Supporter or Supporting Briefs

In most cases after a man's procedure, he will be asked to put on an athletic supporter (no cup) bought prior to the procedure. The supporter will be tight enough to hold the scrotum and reduce jostling movements that can lead to soreness and bleeding. This supporter should be worn for 24 to 48 hours after the surgery at all times. Loose-fitting comfortable clothing can be worn over top.

 

2. Buy The Right Ice Pack

Ice should be applied intermittently to the testicles for 48 to 96 hours after vasectomy. This reduces painful inflammation and swelling, and will give a more comfortable recovery. Be sure to have at least one layer of cloth between the ice pack and your testicles. Fortunately today there are better options than frozen peas and ice bags: consider our convenient and affordable ice pack made for the job, available on Amazon.

3. Activity Restriction

After the procedure, it’s your time to kick back and relax. 

Avoid heavy lifting, straining, reaching, and jostling of the testicles for about two weeks. If it’s heavier than a gallon of milk, then don’t pick it up. Of course, everyone knows you can move that refrigerator or install that hardwood floor but right after a vasectomy is not the time to prove it. 

Resist the urge to start that lingering home improvement project or chip-in with the housework. You need to DO NOTHING but sit or lounge for 48 hours, and then barely anything at all for the next few days. 

If you normally work out, you’ll want to skip the gym for the first week. When you do go back, avoid lifting exercises that create abdominal pressure or jostling for a while: no squats, deadlifts, sit-ups or running for at least 2 weeks after your procedure. Your muscles and metabolic conditioning will be just fine with light exercise for a while. Consider it a time for your body to de-stress, rest, and heal up any lingering injuries.

4. Vasectomy Pain Management

If you're having discomfort or excessive swelling and inflammation after the procedure, consider taking anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol or Advil (ibuprofen), as directed by your doctor, for the first few days. In the rare circumstance that these aren't enough, your doctor can prescribe something stronger. Of course, be careful about what you take if you have had problems with upset stomach or stomach ulcers.

5. Wound Care

Every 12 hours for the first 72 hours after vasectomy, place a little bit of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin over the small wounds made in the scrotum. This will reduce the chance of infection at the wounds. Shower before the procedure, and then avoid showering until 48 hours after the procedure to give the wound time to heal.

6. Watch For Deeper Infection

Watch for signs of deeper infection at the area inside the scrotum where the tubes were cut. This can cause redness or swelling in the nearby scrotum and there can be development of pus either inside the scrotum or coming out from the wound. If you have any of these signs or other signs of infection like fever or nausea, report these immediately to your doctor who performed the procedure. 

7. What's a Sperm Granuloma?

Some men may develop a sore or tender nodule at the location where the end of the vas deferens is. This is called a sperm granuloma. This is a rare complication where the sperm coming out of the tube collects and causes some pain and inflammation. Often this is short lived and ibuprofen is all that's required. But if there is a severe or continuing pain that doesn't seem to get better on its own, ask your doctor who performed the procedure about treatment options.

8. When To Have Sex After Vasectomy

It's on everyone's mind: how soon can I have intercourse or masturbate after a vasectomy? Unfortunately, it's usually recommended that a man wait one week after vasectomy before having the first climax, and then another several days before having regular intercourse.  

9. Don't Skip the Birth Control Just Yet!

Watch out men! Infertility doesn't happen right away after the procedure. There will still be many sperm on the other side of the pipe that need to be cleared out, and in rare circumstances one of the vas deferens may re-attach itself. 

10. Confirm You're Shooting Blanks

It's important that a couple continue to rely on a different form of birth control such as condoms or the pill until at least one sperm check reveals there are no more sperm in the payload. This sperm check is usually done after around 8 weeks and at least 20 ejaculations. Often you can coordinate with your clinic to produce the sample at home and drop it off at the clinic. Normally the results are given to you by telephone or email shortly after submitting your sample. Some clinics recommend two samples spaced several weeks apart to be certain.

 

That's it! Remember: vasectomy is a very common procedure done over half a million times every year in the US. It has an extremely safe track record and low complication rate. You'll survive just fine. And the freedom and peace of mind you'll enjoy afterwards make it completely worth it!