A vasectomy is one of the best ways for men to prevent pregnancy. It’s safe, effective, and less costly than most other forms of birth control.
Most people experience discomfort for a week or so following their vasectomy. Icing the scrotum helps reduce inflammation and pain, speeding up recovery.
1. Rest
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that makes a man permanently sterile by cutting the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis (the vas deferens). It can take up to three months for the semen to be completely sperm-free, but most men return to normal activities one day after the procedure.
During recovery, rest is very important. Avoid strenuous activity, like heavy lifting or exercise, for about a week following your vasectomy, and keep the groin area elevated to help reduce swelling. A recliner or reclining chair is ideal, but you can also lay down with your legs propped up on a couple of pillows to promote healing and reduce pain. If your doctor prescribed pain medication, follow the directions. Avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications, which may cause bleeding at the incision site. Instead, use Tylenol (acetaminophen) to ease any discomfort.
You should also try to get enough sleep to stay comfortable but be careful not to lie down too soon. You should wait until the swelling in your groin stops before you attempt to do so, as this can increase your risk of bleeding. If you have trouble sleeping, consider wearing a jockstrap to support the area.
Before you have a vasectomy, make sure you’re absolutely certain that you don’t want children in the future. It’s a permanent procedure that can’t be undone, so making the right decision at the right time is important. It shouldn’t be the result of a crisis, an emotional or sexual upheaval, or a desire to change your partner. If you have any doubts, ask your urologist about alternatives that might be a better fit. See more : around medical it support
2. Ice
The first few days following a vasectomy are the most painful, and that is mostly due to swelling. Swelling can be minimized by resting in a recliner or lying down and using an ice pack on the scrotal area (ball sack) for 20 minutes every hour. You can use a bag of frozen peas or a commercial vasectomy ice pack.
The ice pack helps relieve pain and reduces the likelihood of infection, which is the main reason you should use one rather than a cold water bottle or another icy item. Be sure to follow the directions on your ice pack to avoid overheating and ice burns to the testicles.
Keeping the scrotum elevated as much as possible will also speed recovery. You can use a chair or recliner or place a pillow behind your back to support the groin area. It’s also best to wait to shower for 48 hours to give the wounds a chance to heal without direct exposure to water. If you do shower, be sure to pat the groin dry gently and thoroughly.
You can resume most normal activities a few days after the surgery, but you’ll want to avoid strenuous activity or anything that might cause the scrotum to swell. Tight underwear and a jockstrap or compression shorts can help to relieve the discomfort caused by swelling.
Although a vasectomy cuts off the tubes that transport sperm from your testicles to your penis, there’s still a small amount of stored sperm in your semen. That’s why it’s important to use a form of birth control until your doctor is certain that no more sperm are forming in the snipped vas deferens.
3. Warm compresses
One of the best things you can do is use a cloth-covered DIY ice pack or vasectomy ice pack to soothe pain, reduce swelling, and speed recovery after a vasectomy. Ensure you put the ice pack outside your underwear (not directly against the skin). This will protect the delicate tissues from direct contact and reduce the risk of damage.
Keep the ice pack on your scrotum for at least the first two days after your surgery. Icing diminishes inflammation in the groin and scrotum area, helps you sleep better, and reduces the pain from your vasectomy. If you need to shower, only take short, warm baths, and be careful never to soak the scrotum. After you’ve showered, pat the scrotum dry with a towel and apply the ice pack again.
Depending on your pain tolerance and other factors, you may experience discomfort from the scrotum for a few days following your surgery. Most people are able to manage their pain with over-the-counter acetaminophens, such as Tylenol, or ibuprofen, like Advil.
It’s important to avoid activities requiring prolonged standing periods, such as work or school, for a few days after your vasectomy. Your scrotum and penis will swell if you remain upright for long periods of time. It’s also a good idea to wear tight-fitting underwear, such as compression shorts or athletic supporters, for a week or so following your vasectomy. This will help reduce scrotum pain and support the healing process. After a month has passed, you can begin unprotected sex again — just be sure to use birth control as your primary form of prevention for a few months after that. This will help ensure that no sperm is left behind in your semen, which could cause the vasectomy to fail and result in pregnancy.
4. Hygiene
A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that prevents sperm from entering the testicles. The procedure can be performed in a urologist’s office, a surgery center, or a hospital. The urologist may use either a scalpel or a no-scalpel technique to access the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles. The tubes are cut and removed, then sealed with glue or stitches. The groin area should be kept clean to prevent infection.
Shave the groin area with a single-blade disposable razor the night before or the morning of the surgery. This reduces the risk of irritation and cuts. Avoid using an electric razor. It’s important to shower on the day after surgery, but don’t soak the wound. Then, wash your groin and scrotum thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Apply ice packs intermittently to the scrotum during the first few days after the operation.
Wear snug underwear, such as Y-fronts, during the day and night. This helps support the scrotum and ease discomfort and swelling. Avoid tight underwear and heavy lifting for about a week after the surgery.
It’s normal to have a small amount of blood in the first few ejaculations following a vasectomy. You should also continue to use backup birth control until the urologist tests your semen and confirms that no sperm is present.
When you get a vasectomy, it prevents new sperm from entering the urethra but doesn’t remove existing sperm from the urethra or other parts of the body. Even after the urologist tests your semen and says you’re sterile, you should still practice safer sex with a condom to protect against sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and HIV/AIDS.
5. Exercise
Unless there are complications, most people can resume normal daily activities one week after the vasectomy. This includes working, exercising, and playing sports. However, you may need to wait longer for more demanding physical activity like cycling or weight lifting until the incision site is fully healed.
The procedure will permanently disconnect the vas deferens, which are tubes that transport sperm from the testicles. Despite this, your sex drive will remain the same, and you can continue to experience orgasms as before because only five to 10 percent of ejaculate comes from the testicles.
Some people may feel a lot of pain in the groin area after a vasectomy, especially during the first couple of days. This is because the scrotum and groin share nerve supply with each other, so anything that happens in the scrotum is felt in the abdomen. In some cases, the pain may also extend into the legs.
Contact your urologist if you feel extreme pain and discomfort for two or more days following the surgery. They will be able to offer professional advice and prescribe medication that can help with the pain and swelling.
Other symptoms that you should call your doctor about right away include a lump or increased swelling of the scrotum; fever, chills, or trouble urinating; and constant bleeding from the incision. These signs may indicate a serious complication and require medical attention as soon as possible.
In the meantime, use a reliable form of birth control until your doctor confirms that there are no sperm in your semen during your follow-up appointment. This is usually about six to 12 weeks after your operation. Be sure to bring a sample of your semen to this appointment so your doctor can check it under a microscope for sperm.
