Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that is associated with few short term and long term side effects. The risk of significant bleeding, bruising, swelling and infection is less than one percent. Currently, there is no evidence that a vasectomy is the cause of an increased risk of heart disease, immunological disorders or cancer, including prostate cancer.

Men who have had a vasectomy are more likely to have antisperm antibodies. These antisperm antibodies have no effect on your health but may contribute to persistent infertility following a vasectomy reversal.

A small percent of men who undergo a vasectomy will develop a sperm granuloma at the site where the sperm tube was divided. For most, this granuloma is not a cause of concern. Some men who develop a sperm granuloma will require excision of the granuloma secondary to complaints of pain.

A recent study indicates that a man who undergoes a vasectomy has an increased risk of experiencing non-bacterial epididymitis. This condition is characterized by mild to moderate swelling and pain of the right or left epididymis. It is thought to occur secondary to an imbalance between sperm production and sperm re-absorption. Non-bacterial epididymitis is a self limiting condition that occurs in approximately 15% of patients within the first two years following a vasectomy. After this period of time, the percentage of patients experiencing this condition lessens significantly.

Chronic testicular pain is an extremely rare complication of a vasectomy. Men who experience chronic testicular pain may require an additional surgical procedure to alleviate pain.

Following your vasectomy and two post-vasectomy semen samples that show no sperm to be present, the likelihood of you establishing a pregnancy is extremely small. You are not considered to be sterile until after we have documented two negative semen samples. Therefore, you and your significant other will need to continue to use contraception until sterility is documented.

Risks of Vasectomy