Even though vasectomies are lower-risk, cheaper, and more effective than a woman getting her tubes tied, relatively few men have opted for the long-term form of birth control. But that reluctance is beginning to change. With states going to battle over abortion rights in the wake of this summer’s landmark decision to turn back Roe v. Wade, men are seeking out appointments at record-high levels.
Still, many are concerned about what getting a vasectomy means for their sex life, for their families, and for their own health. We fear what we don’t fully understand. Here, then, is your crash course in how a vasectomy works.
So, what exactly happens when you get a vasectomy?
The procedure itself is fairly straightforward. First, you’ll be offered an oral sedative. Next, a technician will apply a local anesthetic to your groin in order to numb the area. Once your parts are nice and numb, the doctor will make a small incision near the bottom of your scrotum. This allows them to locate the vas deferens. These are small tubes (about the width of a thin spaghetti strand) that carry sperm from your testicles into the urethra where it mixes with semen from the seminal vesicle before ejaculation. Once located, the doctor will cut the vas deferens before sealing them closed. They will then stitch up the incisions and you’ll be on your way.
How long does it take?
Most offices will schedule you for an hour-long appointment, but the actual procedure takes on average between ten to thirty minutes.
Does it hurt?
The only moment that might hurt is getting stuck with the anesthesia needle. So if you’ve gone through any procedure requiring local anesthetic, you know what to expect: A prick, some pressure, then sweet numb relief. Your prick won’t feel a thing.
There are, however, a small number of patients who experience something called Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS). This refers to any chronic pain or tenderness felt over three months after the procedure is over. Some patients feel a slight, intermittent ache around one or both testicles, others feel a more constant pain. Out of the 500,000 vasectomy patients each year, only 1 to 2 percent experience PVPS. Treatments include exercise, medication, or, in extreme cases, minimally invasive surgery.
How long does it take to recover from a vasectomy?
For the next few days, wear snug underwear and avoid any strenuous activity such as lifting furniture. Feel free to apply a cold pack outside your clothing to make the area more comfortable.
You shouldn’t have sex for at least one to two days after the procedure; some doctors will tell you to wait a week, just in case, to avoid any chance of trauma or irritation to the still-sensitive testes.
A little bruising or swelling is normal and should go down after a week. (See “Does it change the size of anything?”)
Is it instant?
No! This is important. After the vas deferens have been snipped, you are not yet sterile. That’s because men have a storage pouch called the ampulla, essentially a reservoir that has already been loaded with sperm. The vasectomy will make sure nothing more can be added, but you first have to get rid of that still-active sperm before you start shooting blanks.
The ampulla holds about twenty or so loads of ejaculate. And after two to three months, the remaining sperm should also lose their potency. Urologists recommend getting a sperm analysis around three months after the procedure to make sure you’re sterile. The success rate is well over 99 percent.
Does it change the size of anything?
Only temporarily. While the area heals, your testicles will take on a slight bruised color and may swell just a bit. But this resolves itself after a week at most.
The biggest concern with vasectomies is a small probability of scrotal hematoma, where a nicked vein next to the vas deferens will bleed and begin to fill the scrotal sac. This leads to an enlarged scrotum; in a worst-case scenario, think the size of a softball. This problem tends to resolve on its own, but may require intervention.
Does it change how sex feels?
The only way your vasectomy will change your experience of sex is psychological. Your ejaculate will look and feel exactly the same. Your member will grow and last however hard and long it did before. But now, once you’re confirmed sterile by your post-op sperm analysis, you can have intercourse without fear of accidental conception.
Better yet, if your partner has been on birth control for years, they can finally stop ingesting the extra hormones and let their body resume its natural state. Your responsible action may even get rewarded with some new, exciting actions from your partner. May your newly sterile sex life be long and unproductive.
