Getting a vasectomy can be daunting, but you’ll receive guidance and care throughout each step of the process, including after the procedure. It’s important to follow all of your doctor’s post-vasectomy instructions and attend your follow-up appointment. During this appointment, your doctor will determine whether the procedure was successful or if further testing is needed.

The Vasectomy Procedure

The vasectomy procedure generally takes between 10 and 30 minutes. If you wake up from anesthesia a bit sore, you can use ice and pain medication to manage any pain. It’s important to rest for 24 hours after the procedure, refrain from sex for 7 days, and avoid lifting or strenuous exercise until cleared by your doctor. It’s important to continue to use contraception until your doctor evaluates your semen at your follow-up appointment.

Your First Follow-Up Appointment

You’ll follow up with your doctor three months post-vasectomy and provide a semen sample. If there’s no active sperm, then the vasectomy was a success, and you won’t require additional appointments unless you experience any unusual symptoms, such as pain, bleeding, or urinary issues. At this point, you can stop using contraception, though it’s important to note that vasectomies do not protect against STDs.

If there’s still active sperm in your sample, it doesn’t necessarily mean the vasectomy has failed, but that it’s just taking longer for the sperm to clear out. Your physician will schedule additional testing and may prescribe backup contraception until they confirm there’s no more active sperm. If there continues to be active sperm in your semen, your doctor may perform another vasectomy.

Learn More About No-Needle, No-Scalpel Vasectomies

A vasectomy is a safe and highly effective form of birth control. Many men report having better sex lives once they no longer have to worry about getting their partner pregnant. The follow-up appointment is an essential part of the process and can help ensure all active sperm has cleared out of the vas deferens. 

At the San Diego Vasectomy Center, our experienced team specializes in performing no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomies, minimizing pain and making the procedure easier and less stressful for our patients. For more information, contact us today to request an appointment at our conveniently located San Diego or La Jolla clinics.