A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is safe, inexpensive and extremely effective. With the advent of the no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy, the procedure has become even less invasive with fewer complications and shorter recovery times.
Of course, with any surgery there is some risk. We have detailed potential vasectomy side effects, problems and complications below.
Short-Term Vasectomy Side Effects
A no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy takes approximately 10-30 minutes to complete. Some short term side effects of a vasectomy that may occur right after surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Mild Pain & Discomfort
- Swelling
Post Vasectomy Complications
The majority of vasectomy procedures do not have any complications. If there are vasectomy complications, they are typically minor and easily treatable. View some of the most common complications resulting from a vasectomy surgery:
- Hematoma (blood clot)
- Epididymitis (epididymal tube swells)
- Sperm Granulomas (sperm leaks out of vas deferens)
Long-Term Vasectomy Risks
One of the biggest fears men have about having a vasectomy is sustaining long term damage. While these only occur in rare instances, it is important to be fully informed of all risks involved in a surgery:
- Chronic Scrotal Pain (rare)
- Inflammation
Frequently Asked Questions
In the vast majority of cases, vasectomies have little to no negative impact on general health. Studies on the long-term side effects of vasectomies typically reveal very little correlation between vasectomies and long-term health problems, including prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Although a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy is a safe, minimally invasive procedure, there are still some risks of complications. The more common complications, such as epididymitis, are typically easy to treat. Almost all long-term vasectomy complications, such as chronic scrotal pain, are considered very rare – the American Urological Association (AUA) estimates that chronic scrotal pain only occurs in 1-2% of vasectomies.
Another rare long-term vasectomy complication is recanalization, a condition in which the vas deferens grows back and creates a new connection to the testicles. However, recent studies have found that late-stage recanalization of the vas deferens on occurs in about one out of every 2000 cases.
Two of the main benefits of getting a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy is that the procedure causes significantly less discomfort than a traditional vasectomy while also providing a shorter recovery period.
Instead of using a painful needle to numb the scrotum, anesthesia is administered using a “hypospray” injector. And instead of being cut with a scalpel, the scrotum is pierced with a tiny hole so that the vas deferens can be gingerly lifted out and snipped. The incisions are so small that there’s no need for stitches and sutures. It’s a quick procedure and patients typically report feeling very little, if any, discomfort.
Immediately after a vasectomy, it is common to experience mild aches, tenderness, and swelling for about a week. This is generally treated with over-the-counter pain relievers and by applying a cold pack to the testicles.
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