Vasectomy 

Introduction 

Vasectomy

A vasectomy is an operation to cause sterility in men. A consultant surgeon explains what the procedure involves and why you should use contraception for three months after the operation.

Vasectomy or 'male sterilisation' is a simple and reliable method of contraception. It is usually considered permanent, although in some cases the procedure can be reversed.

How does a vasectomy work?

During a minor operation, the tubes that carry sperm from a man's testicles to the penis are cut, blocked or sealed with heat. Sperm is then prevented from reaching the semen ejaculated from a man's penis during sex.

It is a quick and relatively painless surgical procedure, usually carried out under local anaesthetic. In most cases, you will be able to return home the same day.

A vasectomy has no effect on sex drive or ability to enjoy sex. You will still have erections and ejaculate normally. The only difference is that your semen will not contain sperm.

Read more about what happens during a vasectomy.

How long will I have to wait?

In most parts of the UK, a vasectomy is available free of charge under the NHS. However, waiting lists can be several months, depending on where you live.

Speak to your GP about availability of vasectomies in your area. As waiting lists for vasectomies can be long, some men choose to pay to have the procedure carried out privately.

What are the benefits?

A vasectomy may be appropriate when a man does not want more children, or has decided not to have any at all. It may be chosen as a simpler, safer and more reliable alternative to female sterilisation.

However, it is important to view a vasectomy as permanent sterilisation, as although reversal may sometimes be possible, there is a chance that it can be unsuccessful.

Read more about things to consider before a vasectomy.

After a vasectomy

Once it has been carried out successfully and semen tests have shown there is no sperm present, long-term partners may not need to use other forms of contraception.

However, a vasectomy does not protect against HIV infection or any other sexually transmitted infection, so you should continue to protect yourself by using condoms with any new partner.

Read more about vasectomy results .

Recovery

You will normally experience some mild discomfort, swelling and bruising of your scrotum for a few days after the vasectomy.
If you have pain or discomfort, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Contact your GP for advice if you are still experiencing considerable pain after taking painkillers.

Advice on some common questions on recovering from a vasectomy is described below.

  • Hygiene - It is safe for you to bathe or shower after your operation, but make sure you dry your genital area gently and thoroughly.
  • Returning to work - Most men will be fit to return to work one or two days after their vasectomy, but should avoid sport and heavy lifting for at least one week after the operation, to minimise the risk of developing complications (see below). If any symptoms continue after a few days, consult your GP.
  • Having sex - You can have sex again as soon as it is comfortable to do so, although it is best to wait for a couple of days. However, you are not sterile immediately after the operation, as it takes time to clear the remaining sperm in your tubes. Until you have had two clear semen tests, you will still need another method of contraception.

Complications

Most men will feel sore and tender for a few days after the operation, but complications are rare. However, in some cases, a vasectomy can cause more serious problems, some of which are outlined below.

  • Haematoma - A haematoma is when blood collects and clots in the tissue surrounding a broken blood vessel. This can cause your scrotum to become extremely swollen and painful, sometimes requiring surgery.
  • Sperm granulomas - In rare cases, sperm can leak from the testicles after a vasectomy and collect in the surrounding tissue, forming hard lumps that are known as sperm granulomas.
  • Infection - After a vasectomy you may be at risk of developing an infection, as a result of bacteria entering through the incisions (cuts) made in your scrotum.
  • Long-term testicular pain – This can happen a few months or a few years after the operation. It may be occasional or quite frequent and vary from a constant dull ache to episodes of sharp, intense pain.
  • Full feeling in your testicles - After a vasectomy, some men may develop the sensation that their testicles feel 'fuller' than normal.
  • Fertility - In a very small number of vasectomy cases, the vas deferens can sometimes reconnect over a period of time, meaning that the vasectomy is no longer effective.

It is important to discuss the risks with your GP before having a vasectomy. Read more information about complications after a vasectomy.

 

Last reviewed: 23/02/2012

Next review due: 23/02/2014

Comments

37 Comments

Our rules

Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

cburn said on 22 May 2012

I had the op in Feb 2012, all was fairly straight forward apart from a couple of admin errors. I had the op at royal Blackburn hospital, probably took about 6 hours in total- 30mins in theater under local anaesthetic, the rest waiting, before mainly. Staff were brilliant. I've had one sample tested and I'm all clear. From what I've read, some people have to give 2 samples. The path lab lost 1 of my samples which caused delay and messing about, but we got there eventually. A friend had his done at the gp surgery around the same time and he got a pretty bad infection, not only that, but it wasn't successful so he's gotta go through it all again. In my opinion, surely there's a greater risk of infection in a gp surgery compared to a sterile operating theatre? My advice would be definitely go to hospital if you have that choice. Post op, I'm slightly more sensitive than I was down below,but this may continue to gradually go. No problems with sex, its great without the worry. Overall, glad I had it done, 3 kids are plenty for me!

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YouHaveBeenWarned said on 07 May 2012

A warning to those considering a vasectomy.

The majority of men asked will have positive comments about this procedure simply because only up to 10% of men have any long term pain, not including the other complications.

What I find most frustrating is the lack of information provided by many resources (including the video above) which results in men not having enough detail to make an informed choice. Often the explanation on the complications is contradictory on many resources and presented as an afterthought.

From GP to surgeon the take away message is that I should not consider the operation reversible and there is a small risk of failure. Small in this instance is 1 in 2000. However, what was never quantified is the risk of long term pain. I now know that this is 1 in 10. Far more likely than 1 in 2000 yet never discussed.

The fact that this approach is consistent at each stage of consultations suggests the NHS trivialises the procedure. I can only imagine it is down to cost. Other methods of long term contraception must be more expensive.

I now feel as if I have been conned and the pain I suffer avoidable if given the detail I should have expected from the NHS.

If you have read this you now know the risk and probably everything will be fine. The chances are 1 in 10 that it will not. Pretty good odds.

You have been warned.

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desktop55 said on 22 April 2012

For me having a vasectomy has been one long painful disaster.
All medics seem to say that it`s nothing much and because it has been so bad for me I am just one of the very few who have had my problems.I suspect not and it has been one huge medical coverup. Clearly on this site as well as hudreds of others, many men do experience various problems.
I suspect it`s vested interests at work.Ask any insurance broker if you should have" personal insurance" for your family? Or maybe ask a salesperson in a stunning new car showroom "should we have one of your new cars" and of course we will get the same answer.
People doing vasectomies are making a living doing that,just like the car salesperson who also tells you the problem you`ve had with your new car is the only one they`ve ever had!!!!

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Avicenna said on 31 March 2012

Nobody warned me about all the risks. I was told it was a simple operation and routine. I was only wanred about a bit of bruising and warned I could still be able to father a child immediately after the operation and I MUST provide TWO samples of sperm in the coming months. .

After my vasectomy and returning to my GP because of ongoing pain after further explorations I was told I had Vasitis Nodosa which does not impact on the pain I suffer now. There is, I am now told, a small risk of long term pain which cannot be resolved. I am one of those unlucky men. Why are the risks never made clear ?

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Nesim said on 26 March 2012

I had my vasectomy 19 months ago and there has not been a day without pain.

The operation was over and done with very quickly. I could have spent more time askign questions but I though my GP had given me all the facts I needed and I knew I never wanted any more children,

I had a little bruising but nothing serious and a mild infection at the site of a stich, This was quickly fixed.

I have had regulary pain on one side which is often made worse, or is more noticeable, during sex. I went back to my GP only to find out that Post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) is a chronic condition. Some more research revealed that ot may develop immediately or several years after vasectomy.and sometimes as many as 1 in 10 men report it after a vasectomy. If I had known this and known how difficult the paid is I would not have opted for this operation and would have choosen one of the other two male methods of birth control available (abstinence is not realistic for me so it would have been back to condoms).

I do reflect that maybe I was just unlicky. I know that many men have good outcomes but these are never assured.

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VivaLaRyan said on 17 March 2012

I got my vasectomy done on the 10th March 2012 with a well-known, reputable and private company. Best £300 I spent. I feel so much happier knowing I have had it done. I'm 23, and I feel it was a long time coming.

My life will be more enjoyable knowing I won't be burdened with unwanted children.

My life is great :) I'm happier in myself. I defied the odds and exercised my right to 'personal choice'.

It truly is fantastic. I am experience some mild complications, but no different to having an operation elsewhere on the body - just more sensitive. Still, I have no regrets!

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User654798 said on 12 March 2012

Got mine done in Feb 2012 at the Garth Surgery in Guisborough (28yrs old, 1 x 8yr old son)

Went to see my GP expecting a battle (as I'm under 30) to get the surgery appointment but it was nothing more than a tick box exercise to them. I felt it was too easy and although I was never in doubt of my decision, I think there may be some people who aren't as sure (maybe being pressured) and should at least have to make a convincing argument for themselves.

Op: - Couldn't have gone smoother in my opinion. I met the surgeon, who was a lot more interested in my commitment to the surgery than the GP and he explained the procedure very well to me. Didn't mention any long term pain.

Although I wasn't really nervous, he still gave me some calming pills and left me in a room for 10-15 mins for them to kick in (which I'm not sure they did?) and then I was called through to op room. My girlfriend watched the procedure. The female assistant made me feel completely at ease throughout the op and even the surgeon was cracking jokes at times.

It was a no-scalpel vasectomy. The only thing I felt was the needle going into my sac which was nothing (I was thinking that it might be going into one of my testicles, which terrified me!) and after that I was just chatting away feeling nothing at all.

Post-Op: Op was on the Friday and I felt completely normal until Sunday night when I felt like I'd been slightly kicked in the balls. This continued getting slightly worse until Thursday morning when the discomfort subsised and I've felt nothing since. Had sex the Sunday after the op with no problems.

I would say that if I had worn the tight pants for the whole first week then I might not have had any discomfort at all but because Fri,Sat and Sun morning were OK I kind of just went back to my normal ones.

Judging by some posts on here, I might be talking too soon but I would consider this a complete success (Pain-wise, yet to tell if the op itself was a success!)

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User649036 said on 25 February 2012

I had a vasectomy at the age of 36.

The procedure was okay. The needle is the worst part as well as having a young female nurse 'assist'.

I had some significant bruising for about a week but things settled down. However, I do have occassional pain which recurs. I usually take paracetemol to mask the pain.

I think finding out about the risks and the benefits is essential for any many considering this operation. My GP and surgeon gave me very little advice on the complications.

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w6guy said on 13 February 2012

I question the usefulness of user comments on pages such as these, since the overwhelming majority of people who feel strongly enough to write would be those who suffered adverse effects. Those for whom everything went well, like me, generally wouldn't bother. So I'm just adding my comment to redress the balance slightly.

Yes, the whole business can feel somewhat demeaning, but bear in mind women have their privates prodded by medical professionals far more often (pap smears, sonograms, etc.) - it's just not something us men are used to.

The most painful part of the procedure was the injection of local anaesthetic, and that was about the same as having a blood sample taken. I felt perfectly able to walk and sit afterwards, albeit a little gingerly. I was at work the next day. I masturbated for the first time exactly a week after the procedure, at which point it felt normal enough to do so. I've been back to my normal 2-3 times a week since then.

I did pay a visit to my GP 3 days afterwards, when one of the stitches swelled up to the size of a grape and the skinned turned purple around it. It was quite alarming, although not painful. It turned out to be a hematoma (bruise) which is apparently quite common after this procedure. I would have appreciated being warned of this beforehand! The swelling went away in a week or so.

It's now 2 months since I had the op, and everything down there looks and feels normal. My libido is unaffected, although my wife and I have not had sex as I've not had my all-clear checkup yet.

I had the operation done 2 days after my 40th birthday. My wife and I have 2 children, and mutually agreed we do not want any more. It feels a little bit sad to completely rule out the possibility of ever having another, but this is a rational decision I weighed up over a long time and makes sense for me. The alternative was my wife continuing indefinitely with more invasive and unhealthy contraception methods, and that didn't seem fair.

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Maghaberry said on 05 February 2012

I had my vasectomy 7 months ago. I had only mild bruising and maybe a little swelling for the first few days but it settled down quite quickly.

I do not suffer from severe of long term pain but I do get odd sensations, especially when aroused. My balls do not feel quite the same.

I also feel slightly less manly in knowling I am unable to father more children. I never really gave this any thought at the time but I can onyl descibe the feeling as a loss and sonething I just have to live with. Not sure I would call it regrets but it has not made me feel like a real man anymore.

I think the decision should be carefully considered and read more than the GP or surgeon will ever tell you.

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Native said on 13 December 2011

Thanks for all your comments guys.

The rating system for these pages is so stupid. Many like me will think you have to click five spaces for five star, but click the first space and you will rate poor!

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Thum Nose said on 11 December 2011

I had my vasectomy two years ago. It felt embarrassed and not relaxed. Nobody provided much patient care and I had no choice on the sex of either the surgeon or the nurses that watched and helped. It was traumatic. The pain at the time was mild and I only had light bruising. I was able to have sex a week later Since the operation I began to feel a numbing, dull ache about 2 months afterwards in and around my testicles. I went back to the clinic who advised me surgery was the only option but there was no guarantee of success to rid me of the pain and it was a possibility the pain would get worse, I was left to choose to wait and see. I now take seem pain relief if I think I need it but this has not improved my sex lfe.

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User607218 said on 17 October 2011

Have to say that I had my op 10 days ago now and had tender testicles for about 5 days but no pain after 24 hrs. I only took tablets for the 1st 36hrs, I may have got lucky but I did rest and take it easy.
I did get told that I may get some blood when I had sex I did not have any, I had sex on the 8th day and there was no pain again.
Glad I did it.

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Striker said on 22 September 2011

I did say i wouldn't need to post on this site again, but i couldn't resist a quick look.
I truly feel very sorry for all the men who are suffering, those who have had no problems, great i'm very happy for you. I have a couple of friends who have had a vasectomy and had no problems. However, i also no more people who have had problems, i don't think figures stated by the NHS are anywhere near correct.
I had my vasectomy on 1st October 2010. All went well with very little bruising. Approximately 6(ish) weeks later i began to have pains, which turned into strong constant aches that would go on all day long. Sex made it worse, approximately 10 - 15 minutes after sex it felt i had been kick, hard!.
On a brighter note i had a vasectomy reversal on 10th March this year (2011). I had to get a loan for £2,500 mind you, but it was the best money i have ever spent. No pains what so ever, no pains after sex, i can't begin to tell you what a difference it has made to my life.
As someone who has been through this i can completely sympathise with all the men having problems. Before i had my reversal i researched it thoroughly. One piece of advice one consultant gave me was DO NOT get your epididymis removed as this MAY not cure the problems. If you have a reversal and still have pains at least you have all of the relevant bits still there. If you have your apididymis removed you only really have one course of action, a complete testicle removal. This would mean tablets for the rest of your life.
So, if you are having pains look into the reversal, it certainly worked for me.
Take care & all the best.

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TREVPRITCH44 said on 12 August 2011

I did post a very helpful message, but it never appeared. So may do it again (if this one appears!)

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TREVPRITCH44 said on 12 August 2011

Reading through, it does sound like I was one of the very lucky ones. I feel dreadfully sorry for those men in constant pain after this op, and had I read this forum before the op, I wouldn't have done it.
Now, that said, my op was an absolute breeze. A friend at work told me it was the best thing he ever did, so I did it.
Only pain during op was when doc pulled out the tubes...I said ouch...and he said ouch is good, coz I was communicating! I drove home which I was advised not to (as I had a little bit of Diazipam or whatever it was)
I went to bed with a frozen bag of peas wrapped in a small towel and took 2 ibuprofen and 2 paracetamol. Went to sleep for 3 to 4 hours. Uncomfortable but I slept.
The following evening I was absolutely gagging tohave sex, so I risked it. I was careful, came in in controlled way and all was fine.
I have personally found that my sex drive has increased. I was sex mad before but now I'm like a rampant dog.
No difference in volume or consistency if you catch my drift on that one.
A year later I have had an internal cyst coming and going on my left testicle but that may not even be related (according to doc)
he just said come back if/when it gets so big you can't get your trousers on. Oh how we laughed at that one.
Anyway 3 years on, no pain and still sex mad.
Hope this helps. There are some of us who are lucky. If I had pain though, i would pay on my credit card fora reversal. Can't take pain, espaecially down there.
All the best,
Trev

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SANDSTORM said on 07 August 2011

No doctor told me that this operation often goes wrong.I have had a lot of pain ,discomfort ,testicles often feeling trapped,being woken up at night with my testicles feeling like toothach in both at the same time.
This operation is just not worth the risks which it seems are not often told to us.

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Silverhoop said on 02 August 2011

I had my vasectomy 13 days ago now and have no pain.

The first few days I was very tender but found that painkillers took the actual pain away.

Still have a bit of bruising around the penis but do not feel any pain.

I kept active each day after the procedure and by day 10 I went on a 3 mile walk along beach, day 11 I increased that to 6 miles, still no pain.

I was a bit worried about having sex, but again, day 11, I had full orgasm and no pain.

I appreciate that some people have pain but I got more worried after reading some of the comments on here that I felt I had to let people know that I experienced no pain. I also feel that only the people that had pain would leave comments - if it didn't hurt then you wouldn't be looking it up on the internet and leaving comments.

I sympathise with those that do experience pain, but I would not let what happened to a few discourage anyone from having this done.

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monkey 41624 said on 29 July 2011

Ive just had a vasectomy last week and am still aching.I did research some of the long term affects but cant beleve its as bad as this . Really worried about long term pain and the fact i enjoy running and playing footy with kids.Going back to docs today but thought i would be feeling better than this already.

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Cotton Ritch said on 14 June 2011

Thunderballs - there are no insincere comments. The previous comments left simply urge men to research additional information which is not headlined in the NHS Choices website. For example, this page highlights the benefits with no reference to the risks, however small.

It is clear these risks can be significant for a small number of men. Anyone considering this operation needs to understand these risks and unfortunately this website omits to quantify the risks. It also seems the surgeons performing vasectomy do not set out these risks very clearly either.

I was fortunate my vasectomy was relatively pain free. I did have some pain during the first couple of years after the procedure but this has settled down and I am content with the result. However, I recall not being told of the risk of long term pain and feel I should have been warned.

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Thunderballs said on 13 June 2011

9 months after the operation and no pain.

If a procedure isn't 100% one can expect some people to have complications.

The question is are people prepared to take a risk to offset another risk ?

It is disingenuous to urge other men to not have a procedure simply because you had complications.

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Striker said on 20 April 2011

This is the last comment i will be posting. I have had my vasectomy reversal and it was the best thing i have ever done. The operation was not as painful as the original snip! I had it done privately in the Sarum road Hospital, Winchester. They were fantastic, faultless. My consultant did a fantastic job. I went in with the PVP on going pain and left with none. It was like all my birthdays at once. Cannot thank everyone (who was involved) enough.
To go through my daily life without that pain is....i just can't put it into words.
For all the men still suffering, i am truly sorry.
for me it is all finally over.
All the very best to you all.
Cheers, Striker.

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nottighamknight said on 19 April 2011

I am so surprised that medical opinion ha`nt realised that a lot of men suffer long term pain after this unnecessary op. and why are`nt people offered more guidance with less con traversal methods of family planning.

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Striker said on 23 February 2011

MikeUS. I am now booked in for my reversal. Having done in March (just over 2 weeks to go!), costing me £2,500 but i've got to pay it. I can't go on through life with this pain. I had my consultation with the Doctor and he has informed that although this is a reconised cure, it's not 100%. I allready know this, but like i said, to have everything connected back up and be cured would be fantastic. However, if it doesn't cure, at least i will have all bits in tact for another procedure.
I think all men should be told of these possible problems before any procedure takes place. It's not as simple as they make out and i know i have said this before,but it was the worse decision of my life to date.
If any men read this and they are thinking of having a vasectomy.....please for the love of god don't. You may live to regret it.
All the best.

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mikeUS said on 18 February 2011

Striker, I from the US and member of a PVPS online support group. I gave up my epidimus to the 1st urologist that said: “I know what that is and if we yank that out, you’ll be pain free; 100% certainty”. Six months later he offered me the same assurances wanting to remove the whole thing. I had no idea what the problem was. I only learned of PVPS after I started researching “testicular pain”. Thank God I did!

I know nothing about your history so I can’t comment on what you need or don’t need. But I can tell removal of either is a last resort only after everything else has failed. If you have PVPS and I trust you do. There are 2 corrective surgical procedures: reversal, by far the most common type and denervation which is for nerve damage, (which is what I should have had). Both are highly effective and no additional surgeries should be necessary.

Thankfully, I’m largely pain free. At this point I have two goals: 1> compile a list of PVPS (there are less than 15 in the US) and 2> pressure social institutions to make men aware of this risk. Our support group (at least in the US), is the most knowledgeable recourse on PVPS. We know infinitely more than the urological profession: Period!

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Haditdone said on 30 January 2011

When I was certain I wanted no more children I went for a vasectomy. Mine was carried out by local anaesthetic with the NHS. For my part I have to tell you, I felt the knife going in. It was not pleasant but the recovery was quick. The operation roughly takes about 30 minutes. There is a long wait before you get the result that you are all clear. I know it may not be for everyone but for me I am glad I got it done. I've had no regrets. Now, there are no pills, condoms etc you just get on with it! I have lost none of my sex drive and sex for me is the same as it was before the operation.

I have read some of the comments here that men have had after pain. They may have, but I can only speak for myself. I have had no pain, no after effects.

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Striker said on 18 January 2011

Well, been to the urologist for the second time only to be told again that 'no we will not reverse your vasectomy'. As my previous entries (under Striker) the pains are still very much there. The Urologist advised that removing the Epididimus instead, they will do this on the NHS? I went away and phoned a well known Urologist in Hartlepool who confirmed to me that 'a reversal is the way to go and removing the epydidimus is quite dangerous due to all the blood vesesls that surround it'. My Urologist said removing the epydidimus has a 60% chance of giving me pain relief. If that doesn't work the only action from there is to remove the testicle/s altogether!
My argument was if you do a reversal and it dosen't work, you still have all the main bits intact to try other things. If you remove the epydidimus you only have one course of action, an extreme one at that.
I am now sorting out my bank loan and phoning round local clinics to get myself booked in. I would go to the one in Hartlepool but unfortunately it is at the other end of the country to me, but thank you for all your advise. Very much appreciated.
I think its time that the NHS looked at all of the cases of vasectomies that have caused problems. They need to do something because men are getting this done every day and are unaware of the problems it can cause. One firgure quoted in the 'The Times' last year was 20% of all vasectomies result in PVP! Also, it needs to be made clear to all men that how high the chances of getting PVP really are.
Take care, All the best.

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John Thomas said on 02 January 2011

I can only agree with many of the comments. It may be fine for many but I now believe that around 40% find this a step they regret because of physical pain, how they feel afterwards and because their circumstance change.
I cannot understand why the mainstream medical opinion is so off track. I have heard this simple procedure described as rather like sealing a tear duct or a pore; in many cases this would cause an inflammation but a vasectomy is done to perhaps the most sensitive area of the human body!
The op for me was extremely painful -yes the painkilling injections failed in the early stages –something I will never forget and then the Dr took nearly an hour to complete – felt like mental torture to me! First 2 weeks were hell-pain then gradually reduced over the first year, by this I mean I had a lot - I could not sleep on my side for 9 months (normal way for me). Terrible ache would often wake me up!
Could not face sex of any kind for nearly a year and sex for me has never been as pleasurable, I sometimes get a stab on coming and I never get the full release from the balls which always feel full. Now 4 years on the balls still always mildly ache feeling full and I often have sharp or dull aches/ pains coming from the testicles.
The op put me into shock! Worst is that it damaged my self confidence about myself- something I had read affected only men who are inadequate or have mental problems! You feel alone unable to speak to anyone about what has happened and how you feel. I suspect that there are many sad men in my postion.

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Clarin8 said on 24 November 2010

My partner of 3 years had a vasectomy 7 years ago. He is still in constant pain. He was never told of any long term risks. Having seen his discomfort which is only marginally helped by strong painkillers I think the warnings of vasectomy pain should be much stronger. Clearly many men are lucky to have only a short lived discomfrot but the number of men who continue to suffer seems far higher than the officiial statistics (provided by vasectomy suppliers) shows.

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cricket55 said on 20 November 2010

Just do not have a vasectomy I have suffered for over thirty years.Sexual pleasure ruined and pains ever since,my doctor gave me one antibiotic after another all with no help and well i`ve suffered ever since.The procedure is a complete con and only benefits the staff who make a living out of doing it.The so called "counciling"was nothing less than high pressure sales talk for vasectomies.Save yourself a lot of pain and suffering and DO NOT HAVE A snip.Type in on the web" vasectomy pains" and just read some of the hundreds of thousands of unhappy men like me.

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Striker said on 19 November 2010

@ Co S19.
I my opion, it's a bad idea to have a vasectomy (read my earlier comment).
I was never told about Post Vasectomy Pain (PVP). Without trying to make a drama out of it, it rules your life! It makes me misarable, upset and so on and so on. My advice would be DON'T DO IT. I have days when it doesn't hurt too much and others when it's unbearable! It can be real agony and some days the pain killers don't touch it.
When i first got my pain, i though perhaps its just me? But researching the internet and talking to my neurologist, especially when he told me, and i quote 'if i had a penny for every man i've seen who said a vasectomy was there worst decision in his life, i would be a very rich man!). I am trying to get it reversed, as this seems to be the best way of curing the pain. The NHS won't touch me, so i am shopping about trying to find a reasonable cost for going private. The prices range from £1,999.00 to £4,000.00, money i just don't have.
I didn't feel like i was loosing part of my manhood, i thought it was easier for me to go through it than my wife.
Just don't do it, talk to your wife/partner and SERIOUSLY research it.

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Co Si9 said on 18 November 2010

I was considering a vasectomy but was worried I would lose part of my manhood. I conducted a straw pole with friends and colleagures. Of 5 men who had a vasectomy only 2 thought it was a good decision. Two others remained in pain years after the 'minor' surgery. None were told of the increased health risks of vasectomy or the mental impact of their operation on their sex drive. Physically all had no problems but the feeling of loss was mentioned by two. My real people answers seem to fly int he face of the medical answers provided here and the answers are often incomplete or avoid the question. Where are the risks associated to mental health, long term pain, significant regret, and options to consider other forms of contraception?

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Screach said on 13 November 2010

I had my vasectomy 3 years ago after being advised by my partner it would be a good decision, I was never told of any downside or risks and the medical opinion was very much about how quick and simple it was. The only risk mentioned was that it was not 100% guaranteed to work and the importnance of a sperm test after 8-12 weeks to ensure I was not producing sperm. Almost immediately after the operation I felt a dull ache in my testicles. The pain comes and goes but it is ALWAYS there. Pain killers help when at times. Since suffering I have read many medical statistics and realise that pain is reported in up to one third of men - usually long term pain. Three is no remedy. Even the most concervative figures are one in 30. If I had known this three years ago I would have opted for alterntive birth control. I regret my decision. I regret the lack of disclosure by the doctors and nurses. I do not feel I was fully informed and raised a complaint. However, doctors are protected as they only need to advise on what they consider to be significant risks and appartently a dull permanent ache is not considered significant. It is to me!

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Striker said on 11 November 2010

@ Thunderballs. I had my vasectomy October 1st 2009. All went very well, no swelling or anything. Took a couple of months to return to normal, normall being able to pick things up, diy round the house etc. In the new year (2010) i started getting dull aches. This progressed into constant pain. This was never mentioned to me when i was filling in the paper work. I now have extra strenght ibuprofen where ever i go. It's the most painfull ache i have ever had and it's constant! It has changed everything i do in my life. I wish i never had the procedure in the first place. I am now in the process of trying to get it reversed, as this is advised as a 85%-95% cure to the pain. I would say to anyone looking to have a vasectomy, DON'T!
Even ibuprofen doesn't always dull the pain. I used to jog 3-4 times a week, can't do that anymore with out feeling sick through the pain. I hope Mr Thunderballs you don't get this PVP because it is a living hell. I agree with the coments that PVP aware made.

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Thunderballs said on 03 October 2010

There is plenty of information on vasectomy and the risks involved. No excuse other than laziness and lack of intelligence for not finding out what those risks are.

Beware of people posting "studies" and quoting statisitcs without siting the source and presenting additional information.

I had my vasectomy on the NHS 3 days ago. It took 2 weeks from seeing my GP and i was operated on at a day surgery (after being given over5 choices of location/surgeon). Operation took about 25 minutes, scalpel method.

I managed a 3 mile walk on day 2 after the op.

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PVP Aware said on 06 May 2010

I agree totally with the remarks of the last poster. I found the whole experience to be humiliating in the extreme, and it is the source of constant regret to me. My experience as a guy who had the procedure done is that I was afforded very little attention and given only the bare minimum of information, with some glaring ommissions, (as is the case in this sanitised web page too!). No mention is made of long-term chronic post-vasectomy pain which affects up to 30% of men, a 100% increased risk of developing kidney stones, in addition to the guarantee of quite nasty bruising and swelling which will last for weeks - not the 2-3 days you are quoted. Dont listen to the propaganda from the medical procedure - do your own research first especially without full possession of the facts.

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E8guy said on 04 May 2010

I am surprised that whilst you quite correctly tell women in the section on abortions that it is their decidion alone, GPs and yourselves believe that a woman should eb allowed to have a say on whether or not a man has a vasectomy. Surely the same policy should apply? It is the man's body and nobody should have a right to have a say on what he does with it. It seems a very unbalanced and unfair policy on the NHS' part.

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