Although a vasectomy is known to be a very low-risk procedure, it’s not uncommon for men to be nervous about getting one. Some of the most common concerns men have are that the procedure itself will be painful and that the recovery period will be long and arduous. However, a vasectomy doesn’t have to be painful or difficult to recover from. It all depends on the type of vasectomy you get.

There are two methods for performing a vasectomy: the traditional method and the no-needle, no-scalpel method. Because the no-scalpel vasectomy technique causes significantly less discomfort and has a short recovery period, it is vastly superior to the traditional procedure.

The Traditional Vasectomy Method

Within the entire traditional vasectomy process, there are several instances when a patient may experience pain or discomfort. Before performing a traditional vasectomy, a doctor uses a needle to administer a numbing agent to the scrotal area, which in itself can be painful.

During the procedure itself, a scalpel is used to make small incisions in the scrotum in order to get to the vas deferens. The vas deferens is then lifted out so that it can be cut, tied, and cauterized. Once the vas deferens has been returned to the scrotum, the incisions are closed using stitches. During recovery from a traditional vasectomy, patients are more at risk for swelling and infection. They’re also more likely to experience tenderness in the scrotum, as well as bruising. It can take a while for these side effects to subside.

The No-Needle, No-Scalpel Method

With the no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy procedure, what you see is what you get. The process uses no needles or scalpels, which effectively eliminates much of the pain associated with a traditional vasectomy.

Instead of using a needle to administer anesthesia, the doctor uses a “hypospray,” which injects the medication directly into the body and provides near-instantaneous numbness without the need for a needle. Instead of making incisions to the scrotum using a scalpel, the doctor makes a tiny puncture. Once the vas deferens has been located, it’s cut, tied, and returned to the scrotum. The puncture hole is so small that it does not require stitches—which means there’s much less risk of infection, swelling, bruising, and overall discomfort.

During the recovery period for a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy, patients typically report mild tenderness in the testicles, which can often be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers and an ice pack. For the vast majority of patients, this tenderness goes away after about a week and they are able to return to their normal activities.

Learn More

From beginning to end, the no-scalpel, no-needle vasectomy method is tremendously superior to the traditional vasectomy method. If you’re considering getting a vasectomy, be sure to work with an experienced vasectomy surgeon who specializes in this low-risk technique. For more information, please contact San Diego Vasectomy Center today.