Vasectomy Recovery – What to expect and aftercare

What to expect after your vasectomy?

Perhaps surprisingly, nothing very much. Provided that you do nothing once you get home, and very little physically for the next two days, you should have some discomfort that paracetamol will look after, and some minor bruising. You can pee as normal.

If, however, you get pain that paracetamol is not treating, or swelling and/or bruising that worries you, please contact us ASAP. Also, if the tiny cut becomes inflamed, and especially if you start to run a fever.

How will I feel 24 hours post vasectomy?

If you have been a good boy, then you can probably stop taking paracetamol. Your scrotum will still be tender to the touch, so wear tightish underwear for another 24 hours. There will be slight bruising. Walking round and driving a car are not a problem. You can shower tomorrow. Office work should be OK.

How will I feel 48 hours post vasectomy?

Hopefully fine. Your scrotum will still be tender to touch, and you may feel the need to continue wearing tight underwear. You decide. You can now go for a longer walk, but not the Wicklow Way. Cycling should wait 2 days more. Masturbation is now OK, but not regular sex.

How will I feel 1 week post vasectomy?

Normal. Any discomfort should be gone, and bruising fading. There should be no swelling. Walking, swimming, and cycling (not off road) should now be OK, but other non-contact sports such as tennis or golf should be left for another week, as should jogging.

Sex with another can now be resumed, but you are not contraceptively safe until you have a semen test performed. Contact sports such as football need to wait two more weeks, as an injury could be disastrous.

Self Care – What can I do to help myself post Vasectomy?

While sex and working out are off the radar immediately following your vasectomy, being forced to put up your feet for a few days is the perfect opportunity to check some things off your ‘to do’ list:

Teach yourself how to do something: Got a secret hankering to learn how to play ukulele, poker, or maybe the piano? You can now teach yourself how to do just about anything, thanks to YouTube.

1. Binge-watch something on TV: Tired of everyone talking about how great all the latest Netflix movies are while you haven’t even been even able to get through Breaking Bad? Now’s the perfect time to catch up with your mates.

2. Listen to something: Not on the podcast bandwagon? Start now.

3. Plan your next holiday: Being stuck inside can make you long to trade your sofa in for a poolside lounge chair in Lanzarote, or a cycling through French vineyards.

4. Shop online: Whether you’re looking for the best gear to bike to work, upgrading your wireless headphones, or installing home security cameras, being laid up after a vasectomy is the perfect time to your research. You might even find something you didn’t even know you desperately needed, but probably not.

5. Get your horror movie fix:  Hide away from the kids and gobble up all the horror you can handle. Try ‘The Shining’ 

6. Rediscover books: Remember reading books, and not just Instagram captions on your phone? Now’s a great time to dive into something by Michael Connolly – my favourite.

7. Say “Om:” It turns out, real men not only cry and have feelings, but they also meditate. Download an app like Headspace – with sessions focusing on everything from tips on having difficult conversations to putting down your phone, to reframing loneliness. No matter how you choose to recuperate, try to focus on how nice it is to quietly spend a whole day with your feet up.

   Long Term Recovery post vasectomy.

   A couple of things, which may seem alarming, are in fact common.

   • Blood in the semen. Most men get this, and it can go on for up to three months. It is normal.

   • Each side will have a small lump, about the size of a pea, three months after the operation. It is normal but should not hurt. If it is painful, we would need to see it.

   • If there is discomfort on one side, the first thing to try is three Nurofen twice a day for three days. This usually works, but don’t take them if you have a dodgy tummy. If taking any prescribed medicine, check with your GP if Nurofen is OK with it. Just in case.

   • Remember to send off your semen sample for testing. This is absolutely vital.