Pain after a vasectomy

Introduction

A vasectomy or vasectomy is a routine procedure performed by urologists for the planned sterilization of the man for contraceptive purposes. It is a minor surgical procedure that is usually performed under local anesthesia. However, as with any surgical procedure, side effects can occur, including pain.

How painful is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy per se is ideally not painful at all. For the procedure the testicle is locally anesthetized, the patient remains awake during the procedure. Common local anesthetics are used for the anesthesia, as known from dentists for example.

It is uncomfortable to apply them with a needle, you feel the sting and the pressing, burning sensation that occurs when injecting narcotics. Which side effects a local anesthesia can have, you can read in our article Side effects of local anesthesia. However, the incision and cutting of the vas deferens should ideally not be noticed.

After the procedure, once the effect of the local anesthetic has subsided, a slight pain may occur, which is caused by the small scalpel incisions and swelling of the testicles. It is equivalent to normal wound pain and should normally be kept within limits, as the wounds after vasectomy are very small. What you can do about the pain after surgery and other interesting information can be found in our article Postoperative pain.

Treatment of pain

The most effective against normal post-operative pain are painkillers from the group of so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or novalgin. They can be taken as needed for minor pain or, in order to prevent pain from arising in the first place, they can be taken continuously in the morning, at noon and in the evening in constant doses for the first three days after the operation. Stronger painkillers are usually not necessary.

In addition, the testicles can be cooled after the procedure. However, several factors should be taken into account: the cool pack should be cold but not frozen, as otherwise burns to the sensitive skin of the testicle can occur. Cooling should be continued for as long as it feels comfortable and pain-relieving for the patient, but no longer than 20 minutes at a time.

The dressing should not become moist in the first days after the vasectomy to maintain the sterility of the wound. Avoiding exercise after vasectomy may also help to avoid increasing pain. Smoking and alcohol consumption can impair wound healing and should also be avoided during the first days, if possible.