A vasectomy is a safe and effective method of birth control for males. Many males who don’t want to become a father undergo vasectomy and are pleased with the results. Vasectomy is usually preferable because of its effectiveness and fewer complications. 

Besides the results and efficiency of vasectomy, our main concern is about the recovery of patients after vasectomy. Some instructions must be followed after surgical incision by the males after surgery to ensure their efficient recovery free of complications. To find out all about the effective vasectomy recovery tips in detail, keep reading.

What Is Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a surgical process aimed at birth control among males by cutting the release of sperm in the semen. It involves cutting the vas deferens, a muscular tube in the male reproductive tract responsible for carrying sperm from the epididymis to the urethra. 

During surgery, the vas deferens are cut off, and its connection to the epididymis is severed, which closes the pathway for the release of sperm from the male reproductive tract. This surgical procedure is done under anesthesia. It is a safe and effective way of controlling births among males. 

Males must be ensured that he does not want to become a father in the future after vasectomy. The reversal of vasectomy is possible, but it is usually considered the permanent birth control treatment among males. The chances of pregnancy are reduced to a far more extent through vasectomy, but it does not reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, males must be conscious of the infections spread through unprotected sex.

Causes For Vasectomy

Males who don’t want to become a father and looking for effective and way birth control treatment, usually under vasectomy.  This surgical procedure is preferable because of its efficacy and less risk of side effects and complications. It eliminates the need for birth control steps before undergoing sexual activities. The last fact which makes it preferable is its cost. Vasectomy is far more cost-effective than birth control options for females.

How Is Vasectomy Performed?

There are two ways to perform a vasectomy: incision and no-scalpel vasectomy. Patients undergoing any of these procedures are given local anesthesia in the form of shots for scrotum numbing.

The ends of the vas deferens are closed during these vasectomies, which prevent the passage of sperm in the semen. Vas deferens will be grasped by your surgeon through an opening in your skin. A tie, clip, or cauterization is used to separate the vas deferens. With cauterizing, cuts are closed with electricity. If stitches are necessary, your surgeon will decide based on how they typically perform the procedure.

Vasectomy Recovery Tips

For effective and comfortable recovery from vasectomy, males must follow some post-operation instructions. There is a need to be more conscious and self-aware after surgery to reduce the risk of side effects and complications. Any minute negligence after vasectomy can not only reduces the efficacy of the recovery but can also result in severe complications.

Here we are going to discuss all the vasectomy recovery tips in detail; you must keep a check on them.

Take Proper Rest

Patients undergoing vasectomy must rest appropriately and stay off their feet for a few days after the surgical procedure. It is best to avoid any strenuous physical activity and heavy exercise. Rest will allow the proper healing of the surgery site.

There is a risk of putting pressure or strain on the surgical site during any physical movement in the body. It will not only delay the recovery of the patients but also result in the appearance of worsened symptoms among them.

Therefore, patients undergoing vasectomy should take maximum bed rest. Lying on the bed with legs slightly raised is preferable to rest after vasectomy. It is because of the boosted blood circulation toward the pelvic region, which promotes the efficient recovery of males.

Stay away from exercises such as cycling, jogging, swimming, and walking. Any of these exercises can become a reason for straining the scrotum and lead to severe discomfort for males.  Patients must avoid these exercises for at least a few days after the surgery.

Prevent Infections

There is always the risk of infection associated whenever a person undergoes a surgical procedure. It is because of the more chances of infectious agents entering the incised body part and producing adverse effects there. Keeping this surgical site dry and protected from the external environment is the only option to reduce the risk of infections. The same goes for the males undergoing vasectomy.

After vasectomy, stay away from the shower or bathtub for at least two days. It is to keep the scrotum dry. Moisture promotes the growth of microorganism and deliberately increase the chances of infection. Avoid any activity that can be a reason for sweating, as sweating is also the moisture, the growth medium for infectious organisms.

Also, be conscious of the underwear you are using after vasectomy. It must not be thick enough to result in sweating in the pelvic region. Try to change it daily. It will help in reducing the risk of infection.

Apply Ice Pack

It is normal to experience swelling and bruising around the scrotum after the vasectomy. It causes great discomfort for the patients. Patients are usually not allowed to take analgesics such as ibuprofen and aspirin after at least two days of the vasectomy. Therefore, ice packs are the only option left, which can help males alleviate the symptoms of scrotum swelling.

You can use ice bags or a slightly thick piece of cloth for applying ice packs on the scrotum. Take an ice piece or ice cubes and wrap them in a cloth. Apply it to the scrotum gently for about twenty minutes. You can repeat this process several times a day. It will help reduce the pain and inflammation, thus helping the patients to recover with less discomfort. 

Also, be conscious the scrotum must not get wet while applying ice packs. If you feel the moisture on the scrotum, pat it dry. Don’t directly apply the ice on the surgical site. Applying from the outside of the underwear can be the better option to prevent direct contact with sensitive areas with an ice pack.

Wear Supportive Underwear

After vasectomy, males should wear tight or supportive underwear for at least one to two weeks. Jockstrap or athletic supporter can be the best choice after vasectomy. It provides support to the pelvic muscles and reduces the discomfort.  Patients should use supportive underwear during both day and night time.

Avoid Sex

 Patients undergoing vasectomy are always recommended to wait for at least a week before undergoing intercourse after surgery. Even masturbation is not allowed for a few days after vasectomy. It is because of the increased risk of injury associated with sexual activities during the initial days of vasectomy.

After your doctor allow you to have sex, use contraceptives in a few initial sexual activities. It is because although the vas deferens have been cut to prevent sperm release, there may be some already stored sperm in the duct that can come out during intercourse.

Take Medications When Necessary

Patients can take some drugs, such as acetaminophen or Tylenol, to reduce the pain and discomfort after vasectomy. But other drugs, such as ibuprofen, are not allowed to males following vasectomy. It is because this drug is blood thinning in nature, which increases the risk of bleeding and bruising after surgical incisions.

Use A Donut-Shaped Pillow

Circular pillows with a large hole in the center, known as donut-shaped pillows, are available in the market. These pillows can help males sit after vasectomy without putting pressure on the surgical site. Although a donut-shaped pillow makes sitting quite comfortable after vasectomy, lying down is recommended for proper healing.

Follow Post Operative Instructions

You must be given some post-operative instructions from your doctor after the vasectomy. Must follow each instruction and change your daily routine according to your prescription. If you need clarification about anything, you should consult your doctor. Also, if you face any kind of complication after vasectomy, seek medical attention immediately.

Undergo Semen Testing

To ensure the success of vasectomy, males should undergo semen testing after two months of surgery. This test will detect the presence of sperm in the semen. If your first semen test confirms the absence of sperms in the semen, it shows the efficacy of vasectomy. On the other hand, if sperm is found in the semen, there is a need for a second test to be conducted.

What Risks Are Associated With Vasectomy?

There are some potential risks associated with vasectomy, which can put males at some health complications. Here’re discussed all these complications in detail.

Inability To Become Father

A vasectomy patient may not be able to have a child later in life if he changes his mind about becoming a parent. Although vasectomy is reversible, reversing surgeries is not always successful. Reversal surgeries are very expensive and inefficient, significantly reducing the chance of pregnancy after vasectomy.

Other Side Effects

Patients can experience any of the below-mentioned side effects after vasectomy.

• Infection
• Pain
• Scrotum bruising
• Bleeding inside the scrotum
• Blood clots inside the scrotum
• Blood spots in the semen
• Inflammation or swelling

In some cases, when vasectomy fails, it can result in an unexpected pregnancy. Therefore, patients undergoing vasectomy are highly recommended to undergo semen tests to ensure the effectiveness of vasectomy.

Conclusion

To reduce complications and ensure a healthy recovery after vasectomy, males must keep some guidelines in mind. The patients must follow all the postoperative instructions we discussed above after vasectomy. They will help alleviate the pain and discomfort and make recovery easier for men. If there are some complications after vasectomy, patients must consult their doctor and proceed accordingly.