How Long Does it Take to Recover from Vasectomy?
Vasectomy is a permanent birth control method chosen by most of the men. It is the safest option for family planning and therefore most of the men who don't want any children in future go for vasectomy. Vasectomy is a safe sterilization procedure with a short period of recovery. Vasectomy recovery time varies from person to person and can take 2 days or a week. Some men return to their normal routine within a week.
Vasectomy is a very simple procedure that is performed within thirty minutes. It is performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient basis. Due to its simplicity, the recovery period of vasectomy is very short than other surgical procedures. Vasectomy recovery period also depends on the way the surgery is performed. Vasectomy can be performed in two different ways, standard vasectomy or no scalpel vasectomy.
Vasectomy blocks the vas deferens, so that sperms can't exit the body through penis. Standard vasectomy is a surgical procedure in which a small incision is made in the scrotum and the vas deferens are pulled through it and sealed with a laser or suture. Due to the incision, this procedure leaves a small scar that requires time to heal. Thus this vasectomy procedure requires a little more time for recovery.
Another way of performing vasectomy is no scalpel procedure. In this procedure no incision is made in the scrotum, instead a tiny puncture is made to reach both the tubes. The tubes are then pulled out and tied or blocked. The tiny puncture requires a very small time to heal; also there is no scarring or stitching. Thus vasectomy recovery period for this procedure is shorter than the standard vasectomy recovery period.
But it's the fact that whichever procedure you choose, there will be some vasectomy recovery period. The only difference is that with standard vasectomy the recovery period will be longer than no scalpel vasectomy. During the recovery period you may also experience some discomfort, swelling and bruising. The man may also experience pain for some days. He may perform his daily activities and also return to work almost immediately, within a week.
Given below are some suggestions regarding the things to be done or not to be done during recovery period. Following them will certainly help you to recover faster.
- Avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting and stay off of your feet for some days.
- You can take mild painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetomol to ease the discomfort, but only under medical prescription.
- Wear tight fitting underpants day and night for a few days.
- Keep ice packs on the scrotum on the first to avoid swelling. If the pain persists for few days keep it for 20 minutes everyday till the recovery time.
You can have sex as soon as you feel comfortable but it's better to wait for few more days. Though the recovery period of vasectomy is short, sperm may remain in the tubes for up to 3 months. You are not sterile immediately after vasectomy and should carry out semen test to determine the levels of sperms. Once when you clear the semen test that is if there is no more sperm in semen you are free to have sex without protection.
Complications though rare can occur in some cases. They may include bleeding, abdominal and testicular pain and discomfort. At older age a serious complication like prostate cancer may occur.
Vasectomy is gaining more popularity now a days since it is safest and effective birth control method. Also the recovery time of vasectomy is very short, which makes it the most popular form of surgery.