by Sam E. Jones

Created on: July 07, 2010

Because having a vasectomy is considered such a minor procedure, little thought is generally given to the physical effects of having it done; whether they be considered minor or consequential, there are effects that anyone considering such a procedure should ponder before going ahead.

The first and most noticeable effect of a vasectomy is the swelling that occurs around the site of the incision. This is to be expected of course as there is some swelling that occurs around the site of any incision, purposeful or otherwise. Also, because some part of the body inside the site is cut, there is also going to be some additional swelling. And finally, because the sperm and the small bit of liquid that once carried it from the testicles to the prostate has been severed, the liquid and its cargo have nowhere to go but inside the body, which causes some degree of edema, or swelling. Generally the swelling that occurs after a vasectomy is treated with an ice pack and some OTC pain medication as the feeling is generally more one of discomfort than pain. Also, the discomfort and swelling are also both generally gone after just a couple of days, thus, there is very little to worry about as far as aftereffects from physical trauma.

Another negative physical effect of having a vasectomy is that there are on occasion some complications that arise; for example, though rare, there are instances of infection, which can cause a great deal of pain and generally a visit or two to the doctor’s office to have the site drained and to get a prescription for antibacterial treatment.

Also, sometimes the swelling that occurs after the incision doesn’t subside as quickly as it should, but this almost always because the patient doesn’t follow the doctor’s orders to stay off their feet for two days.

And finally, there have been some very rare instances of men reporting less intense or pleasurable orgasms after have a vasectomy that they ascribe to not having as much ejaculate. Most physicians are more likely to describe such stories as being told by men who are having emotional problems dealing with suddenly finding themselves infertile, because the amount of ejaculate is never more than five percent less than it was prior to the procedure.

There are also some positive physical effects of getting a vasectomy, namely the newfound pleasure most men discover when having risk free sex with their partners, especially if prior to the procedure there was a requirement that the man wear a condom.

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