Risks and Complications Associated with a Vasectomy

There are a few health risks and possible complications associated with having the procedure known as a vasectomy performed on the male body. These risks are minimal and treatments are available to alleviate them. The complications that may occur during or following a vasectomy are rare and should they occur, there are treatments that will relieve or eliminate them.

No death has ever been recorded as to being associated with the vasectomy procedure.

The complications that may occur are related to bleeding or infection at the site of the procedure. Occasionally prolonged pain occurs that is a result of inflammation around the vas deferens that is due to sperm leakage or from congestion of sperm at the epididymis. The usual treatment for these complications is rest and the use of an anti-inflammatory medication.

The National Institutes of Health, report that research has found no evidence that males who have vasectomies are any more likely than males who have not had vasectomies to develop heart disease or any other immune illness.

There are also studies that show that males who undergo the vasectomy procedure are at no higher risk for prostate cancer than males who have not had the procedure.

Males usually question the possibility of pain during the procedure and should be reassured by the doctor treating them that an anesthetic will be used to numb the area and that the anesthetic typically wears off one to two hours after the procedure. The procedure is well tolerated by men and most men are surprised when the doctor tells them that the procedure is over.

Males also are usually concerned with “losing their masculinity” if they have the procedure. The vasectomy procedure does not in any way have an affect upon the man’s ability to perform the sexual act because it does not affect either the blood or the hormone supply to the penis. Some men actually report that after their vasectomy procedure the emotional and mental absence of worrying about the possibility of pregnancy frees them to enjoy sex more.

There are no risks at all associated with losing male masculinity associated with having the vasectomy, nor is there any risk of death associated with the vasectomy as seen by the long history of the procedure being performed without any associated deaths being reported.

There is some risk of bleeding and infection at the site of the procedure both of which can easily be treated.

There is also an associated risk to the procedure of a reaction to the local anesthesia used in the procedure. Medication is used to handle any allergic reaction that may occur.

In rare cases, infection or a hematoma (lump) or bruising may occur that will heal with rest, time and medication.