A vasectomy is a type of permanent sterilization that prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering the semen. The procedure involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens — the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra.

It is a very effective form of male contraception but is not 100% reliable. Approximately 1–2 out of every 1,000 women still get pregnant in the year following their partner’s vasectomy.

Although the procedure is safe, some people may experience pain and other issues afterward.

In this article, we look at a vasectomy in more detail, including common side effects, risks and complications, recovery, and when to see a doctor.

a man who has just had a Vasectomy who may be experiencing side effectsShare on Pinterest
It is advisable to abstain from sex for at least a week following a vasectomy.

Below, we list some common side effects of a vasectomy procedure.

1. Pain

Immediately following a vasectomy, a person may feel tenderness, pain, or pressure in the scrotum or pelvic area.

A person should abstain from sex until the pain goes away, which is usually after about a week.

2. Infection

Some people develop an infection at the site of the surgical procedure. The infection can cause intense pain and swelling.

Doctors can prescribe antibiotics to treat the symptoms of a bacterial infection.

3. Bleeding

Excessive bleeding during or after surgery can increase pain and may make additional treatment necessary.

4. Pregnancy

It usually takes about 3 months for the semen to be completely free of sperm.

As a result, it is still possible for a woman to get pregnant immediately after her partner has a vasectomy.

5. Swelling

Swelling and irritation in the scrotum are common. In some cases, the scrotum may look bruised or discolored.

Most long-term consequences of a vasectomy are positive. Some people, for example, report improvements in their sex life, which may be due in part to decreased anxiety about unintentionally getting a partner pregnant.

However, there are potential risks following the procedure, including those below.

1. Recanalization

Recanalization happens when the vas deferens grow back to create a new connection, causing the vasectomy to reverse itself.

The sperm are then able to get back into the semen, meaning that the person becomes fertile again.

2. Failed vasectomy

Sometimes, a vasectomy may fail. In this case, a person may need to repeat the surgery or find another birth control option.

3. Regret and uncertainty

Some people may regret having a vasectomy and feel uncertain about whether they might still want children, particularly if they start a new relationship.

Vasectomies are usually reversible, but the likelihood of success depends on the type of vasectomy and the skill of the reversal surgeon, among other factors.

Learn more about vasectomy reversal here.

4. Cancer

The risk of a person getting cancer after a vasectomy is very small.

A 2019 study that followed more than 2.1 million Danish men for 38 years found a small but statistically significant increase in prostate cancer among men who had vasectomies.

Researchers know neither why this risk exists nor whether another independent factor explains the risk.

5. Decreased sexual function

Some people worry that they will have weaker or less pleasurable orgasms following a vasectomy.

However, vasectomy does not affect sexual function unless a person has an injury during the procedure or develops postvasectomy pain syndrome.

Learn more about sex after a vasectomy here.

Some people experience serious complications after a vasectomy, but these are rare.

Below, we list some possible complications.

1. Infection and bleeding

Infection and bleeding following the procedure are usually treatable, although in rare cases, they may prove dangerous or even fatal.

A severe untreated infection or an antibiotic-resistant infection can spread to other areas of the body.

Likewise, excessive bleeding may necessitate a blood transfusion or even threaten a person’s life.

During the procedure, a surgeon may accidentally damage the testicular artery. This injury can cause bleeding in, or damage to, the testicles, as well as short- or long-term pain.

2. Postvasectomy pain syndrome

A more common complication is postvasectomy pain syndrome, which causes a person to have long-term pain in the scrotum. The area may ache or be very sensitive.

Postvasectomy pain syndrome can affect sexual function and orgasm.

Although some treatments may lessen the pain, no specific treatment is totally effective, and some people live with long-term testicular pain.

According to American Urological Association guidelines, 1–2% of men who have a vasectomy develop chronic pain.

3. Damage to nerves and sexual function

Uncomplicated vasectomies do not cause impotence. However, both damage to nerves in the groin and postvasectomy pain may affect sexual function.

Most people take about a week to recover from a vasectomy.

The following self-care tips may help with pain:

  • wearing snug fitting underwear, such as briefs, as this can reduce movement and irritation
  • applying a cloth covered ice pack to the affected area to reduce pain and swelling
  • taking pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • avoiding having sex in the days following the procedure

If sex is still painful after a week, a person should wait until the pain reduces.

When there are surgical complications, such as infection or bleeding, recovery may take longer.

A person should follow their doctor’s recommendations for recovery.

If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, a person should make sure that they finish the full course of treatment even if their symptoms improve.

A person may feel groggy after the procedure if it took place under general anesthesia. It will be unsafe for them to drive, so they should make alternative arrangements to get home.

If the medical team uses a local anesthetic instead, there will be no grogginess. However, the initial numbing injection may hurt or pinch, and a person may notice pain and swelling that gets worse over several hours. The pain usually lasts a few days to a week.

Most people find that home treatments effectively manage the pain.

There is still a risk of pregnancy until a doctor confirms that there are no sperm in the semen. People wishing to avoid pregnancy should use birth control until then.

A few months after the procedure, a doctor will test the person’s semen for the presence of sperm. This test is the best way to confirm the success of the vasectomy.

A person should contact a doctor if they have:

  • a fever above 100°F
  • sudden swelling of the scrotum, which becomes very tender
  • pus coming out of the wound
  • unbearable pain that does not respond to medication
  • pain that lasts longer than a week
  • excessive bleeding
  • pain that comes back after weeks or months

Most people who have a vasectomy return to work and their usual activities within a few days and experience no serious complications.

A vasectomy is generally very safe, and it is much safer than permanent sterilization procedures for females.

However, a person considering a vasectomy should discuss the risks with their doctor. In particular, they should ask whether their health history makes them more vulnerable to any specific complications.