Get the Facts About Sex After a Vasectomy

If you’re considering a vasectomy but are worried about potential negative effects on your sex life, put your mind at ease. Our Austin vasectomy surgeons offer reassurance about vasectomies and sexual performance, and explain why sex after a vasectomy can be even better for many men and couples.

Getting a vasectomy is a simple, safe and highly effective form of birth control for men and couples. This time-tested procedure is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, and the vast majority of men who have a vasectomy experience no long-term side effects related to sexual performance. Because vasectomy risks are low and the benefits are high, this procedure is a very popular choice for permanent birth control.

The truth about sex after a vasectomy

Before you schedule your procedure, it’s important to understand a few key facts about sex after a vasectomy, vasectomy risks, and the impact of vasectomy on sexual performance.

• A vasectomy blocks the flow of sperm by sealing off the vas deferens – a tiny tube through which sperm move from the testes to the penis. The testes will continue to produce sperm, but the sperm can no longer be ejaculated and are reabsorbed by the body.
• A man’s sex drive is closely related to his testosterone levels. Vasectomy risks to testosterone are low, as the procedure doesn’t touch the structures responsible for producing this hormone. For most men, testosterone levels remain the same after a vasectomy, so sex drive is unaffected.
• A vasectomy has no effect on a man’s ability to achieve or maintain an erection in most men.
• Men who have had vasectomies can still ejaculate semen, but no sperm are present in the semen. This means the feeling of sex remains the same.

Many men who have had vasectomies find that sex becomes even more pleasurable after the procedure, as both partners have less worry about accidental pregnancy. For men in committed relationships, no other form of protection may be necessary, making sex less stressful and more spontaneous for both partners.

Rare vasectomy risks and side effects

Though a vasectomy is a minimally invasive procedure, some recovery time is necessary, and soreness can be expected for a few days while the area heals. Men should avoid heavy lifting and sports for about a week after the procedure, and sex should wait until the incision is fully healed and any swelling is gone.

As with any surgical procedure, very rare complications can occur.

• Erectile dysfunction after a vasectomy is rare, and is often related to psychological issues associated with the procedure. If the ability to have sex after a vasectomy doesn’t improve with time, we encourage men to talk to our Austin vasectomy surgeons about treatment options.
• Post-vasectomy pain syndrome, or PVPS, is very rare complication in which men experience pain in one or both testicles that lingers for three months or longer after the procedure. For some men, it’s a dull ache or tenderness, for others it involves swelling or pain after ejaculation. Typically, PVPS resolves on its own with time. Treatment can include medication, physical therapy, or in rare cases, surgery.

Vasectomy is one the most effective birth control methods, giving couples less than a 1% chance of pregnancy. If you’re considering this procedure, our Austin vasectomy surgeons are happy to explain vasectomy risks and benefits to help you make an informed choice. Contact us to schedule a consultation.