Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVasectomy RecoverySex After VasectomyConfirming Sterility
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vasectomy Recovery
Sex After Vasectomy
Confirming Sterility
You can safely ejaculate one to two weeks after avasectomy, but will still need to usebirth controlfor the first few months to avoid pregnancy. This is because sperm can still linger in ejaculate for about three months after the procedure.
Until you have undergone at least onesemen analysisto confirm sterility, you will need to usecondomsand/or your partner will need to usecontraceptivesor other methods of birth control.
This article will help you understand what to expect after undergoing a vasectomy, including recovery times and ways to prevent pregnancy until a semen analysis confirms your ejaculate is free of sperm and you are no longer able to conceive.
Verywell / Hilary Allison
Vasectomy Recovery: What to Expect
For the first couple of days, you can do light activities but will need to avoid sports, lifting, or any vigorous activity for around a week or so. Overdoing it can cause pain and bleeding inside the scrotum.
When to Call Your Healthcare ProviderCall your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following after undergoing a vasectomy:Persistent or worsening pain, swelling, redness, and warmthHigh fever with chillsA bloody or pus-like discharge from the woundAn opening incision (calledwound dehiscence)The inability to urinate (pee)
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following after undergoing a vasectomy:Persistent or worsening pain, swelling, redness, and warmthHigh fever with chillsA bloody or pus-like discharge from the woundAn opening incision (calledwound dehiscence)The inability to urinate (pee)
Call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following after undergoing a vasectomy:
You can usually have sex a week or so after a vasectomy but will need to avoid vigorous sex, including anything that might bump and knock the testicles.
Because it can take around three months until sterility is confirmed,you and your partner will need to use at least one form of birth control, such as:
Do not be surprised if you see some blood when youejaculate. It is usually old blood, and nothing to worry about.
Although you can safely have sex a week or two after a vasectomy, it takes time for sterility to be achieved. This is because the life cycle of sperm is around 63 days, and there may be traces left well after the surgery has been performed.
Studies have shown that 80% of males will be sterile after 15 ejaculations or six weeks after a vasectomy. By 10 weeks, 85% of males will have no sperm in their ejaculate.
Although most vasectomies are successful and without complications, there is a one in 2,000 failure rate.This is why birth control is essential until sterility is confirmed.
Semen Analysis
A semen analysis, also called a seminogram or spermiogram, evaluates the characteristics of a male’s semen, including the number of sperm contained in it.
You should avoid ejaculating 24 to 72 hours before your collection, as this can reduce the sperm count and lead to an inaccurate result.
The test results are often considered more reliable if the semen is collected at the healthcare provider’s office because it can be taken to the lab immediately.
You can masturbate into a specimen cup at home, but your semen must be kept at body temperature and delivered to the testing facility within 30 to 60 minutes.The fluid sample will then be examined under a microscope to see if there are any active sperm.
5 Common Myths About Vasectomy
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johnson D, Sandlow JI.Vasectomy: tips and tricks.Transl Androl Urol.2017 Aug;6(4):704-9. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.07.08.Alberta Health Services (Canada).Vasectomy: what to expect at home.Zini A, Grantmyre J, Chan P, et al.CUA guideline: vasectomy.Can Urol Assoc J.2016 Jul-Aug;10(7-8):E274–8. doi:10.5489/cuaj.4017
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johnson D, Sandlow JI.Vasectomy: tips and tricks.Transl Androl Urol.2017 Aug;6(4):704-9. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.07.08.Alberta Health Services (Canada).Vasectomy: what to expect at home.Zini A, Grantmyre J, Chan P, et al.CUA guideline: vasectomy.Can Urol Assoc J.2016 Jul-Aug;10(7-8):E274–8. doi:10.5489/cuaj.4017
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johnson D, Sandlow JI.Vasectomy: tips and tricks.Transl Androl Urol.2017 Aug;6(4):704-9. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.07.08.Alberta Health Services (Canada).Vasectomy: what to expect at home.Zini A, Grantmyre J, Chan P, et al.CUA guideline: vasectomy.Can Urol Assoc J.2016 Jul-Aug;10(7-8):E274–8. doi:10.5489/cuaj.4017
Johnson D, Sandlow JI.Vasectomy: tips and tricks.Transl Androl Urol.2017 Aug;6(4):704-9. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.07.08.
Alberta Health Services (Canada).Vasectomy: what to expect at home.
Zini A, Grantmyre J, Chan P, et al.CUA guideline: vasectomy.Can Urol Assoc J.2016 Jul-Aug;10(7-8):E274–8. doi:10.5489/cuaj.4017
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
