Would you have a vasectomy?

[jimpollard]

There's a new article on the Men's Health Forum site today about post-vasectomy pain:

menshealthforum.org.uk/vase...

What’s your experience of vasectomy? Have you had one? Are you considering it? Would you never do it?

[Goldfish_]

I think this article gives a very distorted perspective. For myself, I had no more pain than paracetamol would settle. I only took a few hours off work and as a GP, I can't recall any patient ever consulting me complaining of post vasectomy pain and I must have referred over 1000 people.

[jimpollard Partner in reply to Goldfish_]

I suspect goldfish that a number of GPs would say the same as you. This is a topic that men are reluctant to discuss and which social pressures mitigate against the discussion of. Sharing views, especially on taboo topics, is what a forum like this is for.

[Goldfish_ in reply to jimpollard]

But sharing stories of one persons bad experience is likely to cause unnecessary worry and health anxiety. But then I suppose that's also one of the things that a forum like this does

[bridgeworks in reply to jimpollard]

Well said. Doctors have always made light of my snip problems, some even saying it is only in the mind. What a load of bull!! This op has been the worst decision of my entire life. I was never told of the many things that go wrong. Just after my op I got to know of one poor soul who had to have life support in a major city hospital because the surgeon slipped and did a lot a damage. I don't think I say too much because this persons identity should not be compromised

[Treebark in reply to bridgeworks]

I also agree. This has been the single worst decision of my life. My orgasms are so drastically weaker and less enjoyable than pre-op it isn’t funny. I’m talking 70% less. My doctor acted like he didn’t even know this was possible.

[Ocean-diver in reply to Treebark]

Yes, my doctor gave me similar BS. In the pre op consultation he said that PVP was rare, but now that I'm discussing it with friends almost everyone I know had significant PVP for several years. After my 3rd return visit he suggested removing my testicles!

[Mrblobby12 in reply to Goldfish_]

I had a year of severe pain and had to self pay £3000 for a reversal to get off opiate painkillers.

Royal College of Surgerons of England reference stating 15% rate is here:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

British Association of Urological Surgeons, patient advice reports chronic pain in 5-15% of patients.

baus.org.uk/_userfiles/page...

British Journal of Urology paper.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

Here 13% + still had pain a decade after their vasectomy.

Journal of Andrology paper, explains the changes in the testicles following vasectomy and the mechanisms behind chronic pain:

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

Wikipedia, Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pos...

UK Vasectomy Rates are down 64% in ten years

amp.theguardian.com/society...

Take Care

[jimpollard Partner]

Causing anxiety is the last thing we want to do at the Men's Health Forum. There are two people in the article who have had PVP, one of whom is a doctor who has treated many others in the same situation. Personally, I've interviewed a couple of other guys with PVP too. We need to make medical decisions (and referrals) on the basis of as full a picture as possible and I think this article adds to that. It doesn't argue against vasectomies as such but perhaps they're not for all men and perhaps the open-ended technique needs to be more widely available?

[bridgeworks in reply to jimpollard]

I have been one of many who have suffered from P V P S . For years I found it difficult to go to the docs ( embarrassed ) but the pains are always troubling. With all contraception methods apart from sterilization, you can stop using it, if you get side effects, with a vasectomy you are lumbered. DO NOT have this outdated op.

[tomclark in reply to bridgeworks]

Goods mate I'm trying to sue a doctor for not telling me side effects of vesecyomyi think it's a crime vierlation against a mans sexual health I'm sick of herring his good it is I'm looking for true storeie to tell a court I'm all so trying to change the law to man doctors tell you the truth of sidefects as they Dont tell you because they fond have to 500 dollars in 15 minutes I'm trying to get in contact with men who have side effects to put to the court what the doctors are doing is fraud a criminal act and it appeared until you become a victim eg I'm also trying to get a darts base men can tell they siderfects any thing is difficult need to make a strong group Against coll

[jaglad]

I have recently replied to a similar comment here on the forum.

Yes immediately post op, for a few days, I found the pain to be quit severe. Apparently this is unusual, but long term I am fine. And as someone else has said, it is a price worth paying.

Hope this helps.

[jondfh]

It was quick, easy and I have had no regrets.

[akshayv2]

I have heel spur that they said the only way that I would get relief is surgery until I found these shoes. I am not kidding. Have no more problem with my spur. My wife seen what relief I was having and she got her a pair we both work on concrete for 8 hours a day. We love them. I wish you would put more styles in wide. Thank you keeps up the great work orthofeet. I have 3 pair of the men's shoes and love them.

[RandyAlan]

I just had my vasectomy done. The procedure was very nerve racking and the 10mg of Valium may as well have been a Pez because it did literally nothing for me. The procedure on the right testicle went flawlessly. No pain, nothing. The left though, ouch. When the clamp was put on before the hole was even made felt like someone was crushing my left testicle to the point I could hardly breathe. After some more local numbing meds, it felt better and got through it. Once the numbing stuff wore off, my right was perfectly fine no pain at all, if I didn't know better I'd say nothing even happened. The left side crushing pain came back. Not as intense but still very uncomfortable. It's too soon to rule out PVP at this point but I'm praying it doesn't get worse than it currently is, and that this discomfort goes away in a very timely manner. Anyone else experience this same thing?

[Yepitme in reply to RandyAlan]

I am going on 8 days and I'm really sore on my right one and its more swollen. First 2 days was as expected uncomfortable. Then it seemed like rhings was getting bett and about day 4 I kind of felt like the right ine was morecswollen and really sore. Seems to be a little worse now on day 8. Iced them ever night and that helps some. Sure hope this gets better.

[Jimbob123456 in reply to RandyAlan]

I have had a similar experience. The left was very painful.

Did you have any issues after?

[MacMan1]

Hi, I’ve never put a comment on any board like this before but having a vasectomy just over three months ago I am still in pain with it. Again, it’s very much a constant throb pain. I feel it in work, at home and worse still at night when lying in bed. Some days are not as bad as others. I don’t know whether to wait it out and just pray it dies down or go to GP. Although I presume they can’t do much?

[Yepitme in reply to MacMan1]

Are you any better as far as pain. Really hoping this pain goes away.

[Fireman21]

Same thing going on just 5 days out any further info

[Ethan_Scruples]

Here is a subreddit describing almost the stories of almost 200 men with chronic post vasectomy pain or sexual dysfunction:

reddit.com/r/postvasectomypain

I have plenty more stories and intend to post a link to a new one every day until public attitudes finally shift and recognize that vasectomy is not as safe as doctors let on.

[Snip1968]

I had a vasectomy in November 2018. For years prior I would get epididimytis on my left side. It would clear up with prescription medicine. I was pain free about a year prior to my vasectomy. When I discussed the vasectomy with my urologist he said the pain might come back or not. The procedure itself was much less painful than I thought it would be. But my pain on the left side is back for almost two weeks. I haven't made an appointment yet. The doc mentioned removing my epididimis if it came back.

[1TheOnlyOne]

Hey guys, first time writing a comment on a forum like this. I am 40 years old and just had a close ended vasectomy 15 days ago, the procedure went fine and I had the usual post op pain that is almost all gone. My problem and fear is on my sexual response: it is really difficult to get a erection, erection all not has hard, and when I am feeling pleasure it is a lot less enjoyable, it feels like the part where there is a building up sensation (maybe when your sperm goes from testies to prostate) is COMPLETELY gone... so the whole experience is i would say only 50% as enjoyable as before.

ANYONE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE ?

EXPLANATION ?

Thx guys

[ScoobyDoo64]

I've had a vasectomy about 18 years ago and after about 8 years started to have pain in the perenial area, I would advise any man who is considering a vasectomy to think twice about it. I was never properly informed by the doctors prior to the operation about the ramifications of it, had I known I would not have had it done. I have done alot of research about it because of the pain and apparently men need to increase their zinc intake after a vasectomy. Didn't find this out till last year, and wasn't told about it in hospital. I'm seriously considering a go fund me page to get the money together to get it reversed.

I did speak to a urologist about it during a visit about a related matter and he just said you'd have to pay to get it reversed. Nobody should have to pay to have a vasectomy reversal because they have suffered pain as an after effect of the surgery especially when men aren't informed of the possible problems prior to getting the op.

[VasePoland]

HelloIm from Poland

It was hard to find stories about 'afer vasectomy' that is why I am here.

I'm only 5 Days after but I feel pain in my right side from the right testicle through the right groin, I can't even walk. The testicle is not swallen but it hurts sometimes when I move.

Doctor said to take ibuprofenum for 3 days 400mgx2 twice a day. It helps to reduce the pain from 9/10 to 4/10. It's the third day.

Can it be epididymitis?

If I use papaya seeds can it be harmful?

I feel miserable .. It was suppose to be just quick and painless...

Thanks for all advices.

[Beak12]

I had a vasectomy in 2004 after the birth of my 4th child. I felt some pain and discomfort for a few months after the procedure to the point where I would be in tears and end up taking time off work. To cut a long story short I have now been in pain over 16 years and treated via a pain management clinic. I take a cocktail of pain killers every day and have a very very different lifestyle than the one I would have had if I had not had the vasectomy. I have lost jobs and been through a number of treatment programmes but still have the pain. I am not trying to put anyone off the procedure but feel that the possible side effects are not stressed enough prior to it.

[Ocean-diver in reply to Beak12]

My experiences were similar except that I couldn't use painkillers because they caused stomach ulcers for me.The only things that help with the painFrom me was using hypnotherapy and EFT, and to some degree acupuncture.My partner is now postmenopausal so I'm saving up to get a vasectomy reversal in the hope of relieving the pain.

[Ocean-diver]

I had open ended vasectomy about 19 years ago, and the pain started after a month or two. It was debilitating for over 9 years. The pain was worse when sitting, walking or running and absolute agony on orgasm. I relate to the other respondent who said he had to sit on the edge of a chair.I used a firm cussion that I would sit on the edge of. I still have some discomfort and am considering reversal to relieve the pain, at 62 I don't want more kids, but reversal is very expensive compared to the vasectomy.If you are thinking of having a vasectomy, Don't do it!

[Ocean-diver]

The surgeon told me that there was a 1% risk of problems after vasectomy, but after talking with friends it seems most had some problems and about 10 - 15% had significant chronic pain. Mine was ok for the first couple of weeks then became worse over the next few months. I was told that the "open ended" vasectomy method prevented PVP but not in my case. Years of discomfort and pain and hypersensitivity. At the office I needed a small hard cushion which I sat on the edge of to reduce pressure. I took pain meds until they caused duodenal ulcers and the excruciating pain on orgasm took all the fun out of love making. 3 years after my vasectomy my wife went into menopause. How stupid was I to choose a PERMANENT solution to a TEMPORARY problem.

Now, almost 20 years later I can enjoy sex to some degree provided my partner is gentle, but I still cant wear briefs and I have to wear my trousers low to reduce the pain. I'd have a reversal now except that the cost of reversal is about $8,000 and not covered by insurance and would require a week or 2 off work.

I have very few regrets in my life, but having a vasectomy is definitely one . Whatever you do.... Don't do it!