Having a Vasectomy: Before, During, and After the Procedure

Vasectomy is an outpatient (same day) procedure. It can be done in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. Your doctor will talk with you about preparing for surgery. He or she will also discuss the possible risks and complications with you. After the procedure, follow your doctor’s advice for recovery.

Preparing for surgery

Your doctor will talk with you about getting ready for surgery. You may be asked to do the following:

• Sign a consent form. This must be done at least a few days before surgery. It gives your doctor permission to do the procedure. It also states that a vasectomy is not guaranteed to make you sterile.

• Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen for 2 weeks before surgery. These medications can cause bleeding after the procedure. Also, tell your doctor if you take any medications, supplements, or herbal remedies.

• Tell your doctor if you’ve had any prior scrotal surgery.

• Arrange for an adult family member or friend to give you a ride home after surgery.

• Shower and clean your scrotum the day of surgery. Your doctor may also ask you to shave your scrotum.

• Bring an athletic supporter (jockstrap) or pair of snug cotton briefs to the doctor’s office or hospital.

• Eat no more than a light snack before surgery.

During surgery

The entire procedure usually lasts less than 30 minutes.

• You’ll be asked to undress and lie on a table.

• You may be given medication to help you relax. To prevent pain during surgery, you’ll be given an injection of local anesthetic in your scrotum or lower groin.

• Once the area is numb, one or two small incisions are made in the scrotum. This may be done with a scalpel or with a pointed clamp (no-scalpel method).

• The vas deferens are lifted through the incision and cut. The ends of the vas are then sealed off using one of several methods.

• If needed, the incision is closed with stitches.

• You can rest for a while until you’re ready to go home.

Recovering at home

For about a week, your scrotum may look bruised and slightly swollen. You may also have a small amount of bloody discharge from the incision. This is normal.

To help make your recovery more comfortable, follow the tips below.

• Stay off your feet as much as possible for the first 2 days. Try to lie flat on a bed or sofa.

• Wear an athletic supporter or snug cotton briefs for support.

• Reduce swelling by placing an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a thin towel for 30 minutes at a time. Do this for the next 36 hours.

• Take medications with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to relieve any discomfort. Don’t use aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

• Remove dressing the following day after your procedure. There is no need to apply ointment or replace the dressing.

• Some black and blue (bruising) may appear at the procedure site. Generally, this is not worrisome, but please call the doctor's office if you have concerns.

•  Wait 48 hours before bathing.

• Limit your activity for the first 48 hours.

• Avoid heavy lifting, exercise, and sporting activities for 7 days.

• Ask your doctor how long to wait before having sex again. Remember: You must use another form of birth control until you’re completely sterile.

When to seek medical care

Call your doctor if you notice any of the following after surgery:

• Increasing pain or swelling in your scrotum

• A large black-and-blue area, or a growing lump

• Fever or chills

• Increasing redness or drainage of the incision

• Blood spots on dressing or clothing larger than a dime

• Trouble urinating

Sex after vasectomy

Vasectomy doesn’t change your sexual function. So when you start having sex again, it should feel the same as before. It’s important to remember that you won’t become sterile right away. It will take time before you can have sex without the need for birth control.

This procedure does not immediately protect you from getting a woman pregnant. Continue to use some other method of birth control until you have had your semen sample tested and have been told that it contains no sperm.

• Until you’re sterile: After a vasectomy, some active sperm still remain in your semen. It will take time and many ejaculations before the sperm are completely gone. During this period, you must use another birth control method to prevent pregnancy.  

• To make sure no sperm are left in your semen, you’ll need to have one or more semen exams. You usually collect a semen sample at home and bring it to a lab.

• The sample is then checked under a microscope. You’re sterile only when these samples show no evidence of sperm. Ask your doctor whether additional follow-up is needed.

• After you’re sterile: After your doctor tells you you’re sterile, you no longer need to use any form of birth control. You’re free to have sex without the fear of unwanted pregnancy. However, a vasectomy does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you have more than one sex partner, be sure to practice safer sex by using condoms.

Specimen Collection Instructions

1. A sperm speciment is collected 6 weeks (minimum) after the vasectomy procedure and after 12 (minimum) ejaculations.

2. You will be provided with a plastic zip lock bag and a sterile specimen cup properly labeled with: Your full name (first and last), your medical record number, your doctor's name, and the clinic location.

3. You are to label the container with the collection date and time. This specimen  MUST be returned to the clinic within 1 hour of collection. Please call our Laboratory Assistant at ________________ the day before you plan on submitting your speciment and tell them the approximate time that you will be there.

4. Unacceptable specimens: Specimens over 1 hour old, specimens improperly labeled, for example; no collection date or time and specimens collected before minimum time limit (6 weeks) or minimum number of ejaculations (12) after vasectomy procedure.

5. Specimens that do not meet these requirements must be recollected.