What You Can Expect After You Have Had A Vasectomy
Having a vasectomy is a fairly simple procedure, but you can expect some discomfort and recovery time afterwards. Knowing what to expect before you have your procedure can help you to reduce worry and tension and be prepared for what will follow.
Immediately Following The Procedure
About an hour after the procedure is completed, the anesthesia that the doctor used will begin to wear off. Your doctor will prescribe you medication for pain as well as an antibiotic as a preventive measure against infection. Follow the directions your doctor recommends to aid in your recovery. You may have been advised to bring someone with you to drive you home, so have them go over the instructions with you and the doctor.
When You Get Home
As soon as you arrive home, take your medications if you have not already done so. It is important to keep your legs up and to rest. Stay off your feet for the rest of the day. You can use ice packs to soothe and prevent swelling of your testicles. If you have any fever, chills, drainage, unusual swelling or pain that is severe, contact your doctor immediately.
The First Few Days
Your health care provider will have instructed you on when you can take a shower following the procedure. You should not take a bath or have your body submerged in any type of water for at least forty eight hours after your have had your vasectomy. You can take warm sits baths for 20 minutes at a time if this helps to ease your discomfort.
It is not unusual to feel some mild discomfort or pain following a vasectomy. If you notice that the pain isn’t affected by medication or it has increased in severity, be sure you tell your doctor as this may be complication from your procedure. Most vasectomies are scheduled close to the end of the week to give you time to rest over the weekend before returning to work.
The Weeks Following Your Vasectomy
It is not advised to begin resuming sexual activity for at least seventy two hours after you have had a vasectomy. This should not be a problem for most men as sex will be the last thing on your mind. Remember before you begin to have unprotected sex with your partner, you should have a firm sperm count of zero. Use other forms of birth control until your sperm has been checked.
This is the most critical time when you can impregnate your partner. The first time your sperm will be checked is about 4-6 weeks after your vasectomy. If you still have an active sperm count, your doctor will advise that you return to provide sperm samples until your sperm count is at zero. Once that happens, there is no need to worry about pregnancy again.
You should be able to resume all your activities within a few weeks of your procedure. If you have any questions about any symptoms or concerns you have regarding the vasectomy, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
Tag:mens health, vasectomyPopularity: 7% [?]
