Wondering what your sexual experience will be post-vasectomy? The following article discusses what you need to know about having sex after your vasectomy. NorCalVas offers safe and highly effective no-scalpel, no-needle vasectomy procedures to the Elk Grove, Redding, Scotts Valley, and Sacramento communities.
While vasectomies do not influence sex drive, sexual functioning, or sexual performance, fully healing before engaging in sex acts is highly important. It is also critically important to remember that sterility does not occur for roughly three months and after approximately 20 ejaculations. Here is what you should know about sex after a vasectomy.
Vasectomy and Sex Drive
A vasectomy procedure is a minimally invasive operation that prevents sperm from traveling through the vas deferens and out of the penis during ejaculation, thereby stopping fertilization. Although it might seem as though any procedure that inhibits fertilization would have some effect on sexual performance or drive, vasectomies do not influence sexual function. This is because sexual function depends upon factors – hormones, vascular health, emotional wellness – that aren’t addressed or impacted during a vasectomy.
When it comes to sexual performance after vasectomy, many men report an improvement in sex drive and responsiveness. This is likely because the stress surrounding the possibility of accidental pregnancy is gone. There is no change in ejaculate fluid volume or appearance.
Healing After Vasectomy
No-scalpel vasectomy procedures do not require as much healing time as standard vasectomies, because the surgery is minimally invasive, and anesthesia isn’t administered with a needle, but with a moderately pressured spray nozzle. It is advisable to resume sexual activity after all symptoms have subsided and healing (after 3-4 weeks, but no longer than 1 week.). This is because sexual activity can irritate the wound and interfere with the recovery process. However, it is possible to engage in masturbation without applying excessive pressure or strain to the surgical site, but the muscular contracture that occurs during ejaculation could lead to some mild swelling.
For most patients, recovery is brief; normal, non-strenuous activities may be resumed after only a few days, and all activities may be resumed after approximately 10 days. Discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain killers (Tylenol for the first 2 days then Ibuprofen) and ice packs.
Some men experience some discomfort during ejaculation after the procedure, but the discomfort should diminish after the first few times. If pain persists, consult your physician.
NorCalVas founder, Dr. Chirag A. Patel MD, Ph.D., specializes in no-scalpel, no-needle vasectomy procedures. To schedule a consultation, please visit our contact page.