A vasectomy is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy and it’s the most effective means of birth control for men.Â
If you have decided to have a vasectomy, here are the best tips to keep in mind before and after your procedure. These tips will help to ease your anxiety and allow you to prepare properly for your vasectomy procedure and the recovery period.
Pre-Vasectomy
#1. Ask lots of questions
Ask as many questions as you can about the vasectomy procedure and about the person who will be performing it before you agree to it. This will help you know what to expect.
The more questions you ask, the more comfortable you will feel during—and after—the procedure.
#2. Read About Vasectomies
To ensure that you know what’s in store, read up on the procedure. Learn more about what it entails, how much it costs and any post-procedure care you will need.
A good place to start with this is the brochure provided to you by your doctor at your initial consultation. Remember, though, that every case is different, so consult with your physician if there are any questions specific to your situation.
#3. Decide on a Doctor
Having surgery is not something to take lightly, so choosing your doctor wisely is an important step. Before scheduling an appointment with a urologist, it’s important to do some research and find out which urologists in your area have the best outcomes with their patients.Â
#4. Weighing the Costs
If you’re considering having a vasectomy and are concerned about the cost, it’s important to keep in mind that in the long run, it is an affordable option compared with paying for long-term birth control methods such as pills or condoms.
#5. Think about recovery time
After having a vasectomy, you should be able to return home right away. However, depending on what type of work you do, you may need to get some time off from work to allow enough time to recover.
If you have a desk job and don’t do a lot of moving around or lifting, you can be back at work within a few days. However, if your work involves a lot of moving around and heavy lifting, you may need to wait a week until returning to that activity.
Post-Vasectomy Tips
#6. Recovery
Recovery time depends on the individual, so it’s important that you have realistic expectations when it comes to your recovery. Some men experience little pain and discomfort and get back to normal fairly quickly, while others may take longer to heal.
Chances are that your recovery period will be smooth. Generally speaking, here’s what to expect from your recovery period:
- Most pain should subside within one week of surgery, but it may linger for a brief time beyond that for some men.
- Swelling around the scrotum usually takes slightly longer to go down
- You will have bruising around the incision site
- Avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting during the first week following surgery
- Wait around one week before resuming sexual activity or working out with weights
- If you have a manual job, you may have to take up to one week off of work to allow your body to recover fully
- If you experience any unusual pain or bleeding after vasectomy call your doctor immediately
#7. Consider scrotal support underwear or jockstrap for comfort
Your doctor will likely advise you to wear support underwear/jockstrap following your vasectomy. Not only do these garments support your scrotum, but they can also help prevent unnecessary rubbing that may result in discomfort or bruising.
Talk to your doctor about the best option.
#8. Ease back into exercise
If you’ve had a vasectomy, there’s no rush to get back into training. Your body has just undergone surgery, so take it easy for a few weeks.
Once you’re pain-free and feeling well, start up a modified and careful exercise regime. Light exercises like walking or jogging are great for getting your body moving again. However, if you want to run or lift weights you’ll need to wait several weeks before trying those out again.
#9. Avoid hot tubs or swimming pools
Don’t worry, you won’t have to give up swimming or using hot-tubs completely. Just be sure not to use them within one week after surgery. This will help to keep your scrotum dry and avoid infection.Â
#10. Discomfort during sexual arousal
Sexual arousal may cause mild discomfort immediately after your vasectomy, but don’t worry — you won’t lose sensation down there! So, once the discomfort eases, you should be able to resume your normal sexual activities.
However, If you find yourself experiencing persistent pain in your testicles after your procedure, let your doctor know right away — it could be an indicator of infection or some other problem.
#11. Use alternative contraception until your sperm count is zero
Having a vasectomy does not cause you to become sterile immediately after the procedure. In fact, sperm can still be found in your semen for as long as 3 months after your vasectomy.
This is why your doctor will take a semen sample 12 weeks after your procedure. This is the best and only way to ensure that no sperm is present.
Until you have confirmation from your doctor that your sperm count is zero, you should always use alternative contraceptive methods such as condoms or birth control pills.
Final Word
If you’re thinking about having a no-scalpel vasectomy or you have any other male urology concerns, make an appointment with us today!
