Ejaculation After Vasectomy: What To Expect - Medical News Today
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Medically reviewed by Roger Bielinski, MD FACS — Written by Jayne Leonard — Updated on July 22, 2024- After surgery
- During sex
- Masturbation
- Sperm
- FAQ
- Summary
Ejaculation after a vasectomy typically remains the same as it was before the procedure. There is usually no change in a person’s ability to ejaculate or the appearance of the semen, the ejaculate fluid.
The only difference in ejaculation is the absence of sperm in the semen. Neither the person who underwent the procedure nor their sexual partners will be aware of this difference.
A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure and a method of male birth control. Each year, more than 500,000 men in the United States have a vasectomy.
During the procedure, a doctor will cut and seal the vas deferens tubes — the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. After a vasectomy, the body will still produce sperm, but the sperm cannot enter the semen or leave the body through the ejaculate.
Reversal is possible but is not always successful.
Read on to learn more about ejaculation after a vasectomy.
Share on PinterestFirst ejaculation after surgery
People who can get an erection and ejaculate before the vasectomy will still be able to do so after the procedure. The only change to ejaculation is that the semen will no longer contain sperm.
For the first few days after a vasectomy, most individuals feel some pain, swelling, and discomfort in their testicles. There will be a small wound by each testicle where the doctor made the surgical incision.
As a result, it is advisable to wait for a few days after a vasectomy before having sex or masturbating. This delay helps a person avoid irritating tissues that are already swollen and sensitive.
After a few days, it is probably safe to resume sexual activity. Most people heal quickly enough to return to their regular activities within 1 week.
The first few ejaculations may feel somewhat uncomfortable, but this discomfort should not persist for too long. There may also be a small amount of blood in the semen.
If ejaculation is still causing discomfort after a few weeks, it is best to speak with a doctor. This discomfort may indicate a complication of the surgery, such as post-vasectomy pain syndrome.
About 5% of people who have a vasectomy will experience post-vasectomy pain syndrome, which is chronic pain in the testicles that lasts for at least 3 months. This syndrome can cause constant or occasional pain and may result in painful ejaculations.
Read about recovery after vasectomy.
During sex
Once the swelling and pain go away, people can safely resume sexual activity. Doing so before the wounds have healed increases the risk of pain and infection.
It is important to use condoms or other forms of birth control for a few months after the procedure. Additional contraception is necessary to avoid pregnancy because a vasectomy does not work immediately. Sperm is still present in the tubes for several weeks.
Also, a vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Aside from abstinence, condoms, and other barrier contraceptives provide the best protection against STIs.
At some point, individuals will need to go for a follow-up test to check for sperm in their semen. Most urologists recommend two tests to check the semen at least 3 months or 20 ejaculates after the vasectomy, whichever occurs first.
At this point, 1% of people will still have sperm in their ejaculate. They will need to continue using another form of contraception, such as condoms, until a semen analysis confirms that the ejaculate is free of sperm.
Many people worry that a vasectomy will negatively affect their sex life, but research indicates that this is not the case. A survey from 2017 found that many males reported an improvement in sexual satisfaction after a vasectomy, while there was no change in satisfaction for their female partners.
Read more about sexual function after a vasectomy.
Masturbation
It is safe to masturbate once the vasectomy wounds heal and the pain and swelling go away. People do not need to take any additional precautions before masturbating after a vasectomy.
Once a person has waited 3 months or had 20 ejaculates — either through sex or masturbation — they can consult a doctor for a follow-up sperm analysis. The doctor will ask them to masturbate into a cup at home or the doctor’s office to provide a semen sample.
What happens to sperm after a vasectomy?
The testes will continue to make sperm after a vasectomy.
The only difference is that the sperm cannot pass through the vas deferens tubes into the urethra. Instead, the body reabsorbs the sperm.
Indeed, antisperm antibodies will be produced in 60-80% of post-vasectomy patients. There is no evidence that these antibodies cause any adverse effects.
As semen contains only a very small amount of sperm, individuals and their partners will not notice changes in the fluid because sperm are absent.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad if no sperm comes out?
If a person who has not had a vasectomy has no sperm when they ejaculate, this can be concerning. This condition is known as azoospermia and can be a sign of underlying medical issues such as hormonal imbalances, blockages, or genetic problems.
However, if a person has no sperm after a vasectomy, this is expected. This procedure intends to block sperm from being present in the ejaculate.
How many times should a man release sperm in a week?
There is no evidence to suggest a man should release sperm a specific amount of times a week. Rather, it varies based on personal preference and health.
Summary
A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. However, it does not work immediately, and until a semen analysis confirms that the ejaculate is sperm-free, people need to use another form of birth control. Vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
People who undergo a vasectomy should not notice any changes in their sexual drive or function. There should also be no difference in the sensation of ejaculation or the appearance of the semen.
Most doctors advise waiting 1 week before having sex or masturbating to avoid infection or additional pain. It is common for the first few ejaculations to feel uncomfortable, and only persistent discomfort requires medical attention.
- Men's Health
- Birth Control / Contraception
- Sexual Health / STDs
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Auyeung AB, et al. (2020). Incidence of post-vasectomy pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7084350/
- Engl T, et al. (2017). Impact of vasectomy on the sexual satisfaction of couples: Experience from a specialized clinic. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5656365/
- Sharma M, et al. (2023). Azoospermia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578191/
- Sinha V, et al. (2017). Post-vasectomy pain syndrome: Diagnosis, management and treatment options. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5503923/
- What is a vasectomy? (2020).https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/v/vasectomy
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Medically reviewed by Roger Bielinski, MD FACS — Written by Jayne Leonard — Updated on July 22, 2024Latest news
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