Protecting Penis Health after a Vasectomy - Pre-Op Advice and Tips

There comes a point in a man’s life where perhaps he has had all the children he wants to have - or maybe he is sure that kids are just not on the table for him - and he starts kicking around the idea of under "going the knife." While a vasectomy may seem like a pretty straightforward procedure, it certainly isn’t something to be taken lightly. See what other men are wondering about the procedure and learn the risks, benefits and how to ensure adequate penis care, both pre- and post-vasectomy.

So, it’s 100% effective, right?
As the old saying goes, nothing in this world is guaranteed except death and taxes, and a vasectomy falls into the category of almost being a sure thing. The fact of the matter is, about 0.2% (or 2 out of 1000) of men who have undergone the procedure experience ongoing fertility, even several months after the surgery has been completed. This occurs either because of human error during surgery, or because the cut ends actually reconnect and heal themselves after the procedure has been done.

Additionally, some men (1 in 2000) have a spontaneous reoccurrence of fertility months or even years after the procedure proved them sterile. All men should get a semen test several months after the procedure to ensure that it worked - men who are worried about spontaneous reoccurrence of fertility can get their semen tested at any time to ensure sterility has remained, though it is very rare after a negative test. It is also important to know that it takes a while for a man to completely go through his stores of semen in the body, therefore, condoms should be used for a few months after the procedure until that negative test has been confirmed by a doctor.

Is it permanent? What if my wife changes her mind about kids?
If there is even the slightest thought that kids could be in the future, a delay on the big V should be strongly considered. Though the procedure can occasionally be reversed years later, the surgery to reinstate fertility is only roughly 50% successful. Therefore, most doctors recommend a man consider it a permanent procedure.

What are the risks?
Breathe a sigh of relief, guys, there are typically no reported changes to a man’s sex drive, erectile strength, orgasm, or ejaculation after the procedure. The biggest risk tends to be men ditching the rubbers too soon after the procedure, leading to an unwanted pregnancy. Of course, any surgery comes with risk; however, serious complications occur in less than 1% of vasectomies.

Does it hurt?
Most men find the procedure to be mildly uncomfortable, while some men indicate zero pain at all. Of course, everybody reacts to anesthetic and surgical procedures differently, so results vary for each man. Healing is generally quick, and most men require nothing more than an over the counter medication for pain or swelling.

A guy can go condom-free after a vasectomy, right?
A man in a monogamous, long-term relationship where both partners have been screened for sexually transmitted infections can finally ditch those condoms. However, a vasectomy does not protect either partner from infections, so if a guy has multiple partners, he needs to keep the condoms handy.

Keeping the penis healthy
Regardless of a man’s surgery plans, he needs to keep the penis healthy to maintain the best possible sex life. One important way to do this is by stepping up the hygiene routine - as excessive bacteria or yeast can lead to unpleasant infections and odors. After exiting the shower, a man should use a penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) full of essential vitamins and nutrients, including the bacteria-busting vitamin A to cut back on unpleasant odors, as well as natural emollients to support healthy, resilient and responsive penile skin.