Considering a Vasectomy? All Your Questions Answered Here

Whether you’ve maxed out the minivan or decided you’re happy living the no-kid life, having a vasectomy is one of the best ways a man can guarantee he won’t have more (or any) children. 

Any surgical procedure, no matter how routine, naturally raises questions. Our team of experts at Golden Gate Urology in Berkeley, California, is here with answers. 

These are just some of the questions we get most often about what to expect from a vasectomy.

Is a vasectomy painful?

You won’t feel a thing during the procedure, and you shouldn’t experience more than mild discomfort, swelling, or bruising in your scrotum and groin afterward. 

Use cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication to manage discomfort and swelling. Wearing compression shorts for the first couple of days after the procedure can aid healing and control inflammation. 

Many of our patients are back on their feet within a couple of days, but we recommend avoiding strenuous activity and sexual intercourse for about a week.

Don’t be alarmed if you notice blood in your semen for a few weeks after the procedure. That’s a typical side effect and should subside once you fully heal. 

Talk to us if you have severe pain and/or feel like you aren’t recovering as quickly as you should.

Can a vasectomy fail?

Vasectomies can fail, but that’s rare. In those situations, sperm finds a new way into the vas deferens through a process called recanalization. You can also disrupt the efficacy of your vasectomy if you have sex too soon after surgery.

How effective is a vasectomy?

Vasectomies are one of the most effective forms of birth control, with a failure rate of only 0.15%. They’re also more cost-effective and carry a much lower risk than female sterilization (tubal ligation).

How long does it take for a vasectomy to work?

You still have a bit of residual sperm in your semen after surgery. Don’t consider your vasectomy as your primary form of birth control until 10-12 weeks following your surgery. At that point, we test your semen to make sure the sperm has left your system. 

Will a vasectomy affect my libido?

A vasectomy keeps sperm from mixing into your semen, but that has nothing to do with your libido. It’s also a misconception that vasectomies affect your ability to have and keep an erection. 

Rest assured, you have the same sex drive and ability to perform as you did before the procedure.

Will a vasectomy affect my testosterone levels?

The tubes that carry sperm (and the ones we disable during a vasectomy) aren’t the same tubes that transport testosterone. Testosterone travels around your body through your blood and is unaffected by a vasectomy. 

Can I reverse a vasectomy?

Yes, vasectomies can be reversed through a procedure called vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy, which reopens the vas deferens, allowing sperm to reach the semen. 

Didn’t address one of your most pressing questions? Let’s set up a time to talk. Call our friendly staff at 510-255-0013 today or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation with one of our experts.