Here’s Some Vasectomy Recovery Tips to Help You Get Better, Faster

If you are one of the approximately, 500,000 vasectomies that are performed each year, now all you need to do is focus on your recovery. While you’re likely to be back at work in just a few days, recovering fully is going to take a bit longer than that.

Over the next few weeks, you’re going to need to invest more time into personal care and attention to hygiene.

To help you do so, we have five tips for vasectomy recovery. If you follow these tips over the next few weeks, this should help reduce the risk of complications post-vasectomy. However, if you have questions at any point, don’t wait to reach out to your urologist.

Our hope is that these tips help you get back to normal as quickly as possible. Follow along with us below to learn how to successfully recover from a vasectomy.

1. Take It Easy

Regardless if you choose a traditional vasectomy or a no-scalpel vasectomy you should take time to rest after your surgery. Don’t plan big activities for the days following, so that you are not lifting heavy objects or doing too much.

While you are resting, keep your feet raised. Elevated feet will help to promote healing because it increases circulation.

Spend some energy focusing on a healthy diet over these few days. Eating high-quality protein is important for speeding recovery. Protein helps to rebuild tissue that has been cut and also helps to prevent infection.

2. Take Steps to Avoid Infections During Vasectomy Recovery

As with any surgery, the key is to keep your genital area clean. This is part of the reason for avoiding strenuous activity, especially activity that causes sweating. The trapped moisture increases your infection risk.

Avoid activities that may cause irritation, like long walks. In general, you should shower before your surgery and refrain from taking your next shower for 24 hours. Make sure you follow any, and all, post-op instructions from your surgeon.

When you do take a shower, make sure to clean the genital area and pat it dry. Make sure you change your underwear daily.

3. Reduce Discomfort

It is normal to feel discomfort in the days following your procedure. Some swelling and bruising is also an expected side effect.

You should gradually feel better over time, so if you begin to heal and then the pain or discomfort gets worse, contact your physician. A few weeks after surgery you should be 100% pain-free.

Ice or cold compresses can help to aid in the recovery process and reduce pain. Use an ice pack, or bag of frozen peas, and place it on the scrotum, with a dishcloth between the ice and your skin. Never place ice directly on your skin.

Leave the ice on intermittently to help with the other pain management tools you have. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen for the first 48 hours, they may actually increase rather than decrease the discomfort.

The more you support the area, the more comfortable you will be. Avoid boxers, instead wear tight-fitting underwear as you recover. Underwear should be worn 24/7 but changed daily through the recovery process.

After the first week, consider wearing a jockstrap for weeks 2 & 3 post-op. The additional support will minimize discomfort and speed healing.

4. Enjoy Your Sex Life

Believe it or not, you can return to your sex life approximately a week after your surgery. Assuming you feel up to it. Sex will actually help you to recover faster.

Keep the following things in mind.

1. Sperm is still in your semen for a period of time after surgery, usually for at least 20 ejaculations. Vasectomy cuts the Vas Deferens but does not remove the sperm that is presently there.

Your doctor will test your semen and give you the all-clear when your sperm count is zero. Until that point, use additional protection to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

2. It is normal for you to see some blood in your semen after surgery. Don’t panic. If you notice blood, and, have pain, tenderness, or feel heat in your genital area this may be the sign of an infection, so contact your doctor.

Don’t be concerned, this surgery has a quick recovery time. If you, or your partner, are concerned about hurting you, try a little self-satisfaction to increase your confidence in your body’s ablitity to respond.

Potential Complications to Vasectomy Recovery

Complications can happen with any surgery, even if you follow every recommendation given to you. Keep these complications in mind as they require attention from your physician.

It is normal to have some bruising, however when you experience a change in the amount of bruising, i.e. it spreads or is associated with swelling or pain you should contact your physician.

If you notice a raised, hard area (hematoma) or any bleeding, this is not a normal part of healing and a reason to call the office.

Watch for infections at your incision site. Puss, heat, and increased pain are all signs of an infection.

While a vasectomy is a common procedure with minimal side effects there are things you can do to ensure a quick and speedy recovery. Follow the tips above and be sure to check with your urologist before you have unprotected sex to ensure that your semen is 100% clear.

Do You Want, or Need, a Vasectomy?

Contact us and our qualified team will support you through your surgery and into your vasectomy recovery. We aim for 5-star treatment, where our patients understand the procedure and treatment completely and have all the support they need for a speedy recovery.