According to medicinenet.com, “A vasectomy is a surgical procedure performed as a method of birth control. It involves cutting the vas deferens (pronounced VAS DEF-uh-renz) in order to close off the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles (there is one vas deferens per testicle).
If a man has a vasectomy, he can no longer get a woman pregnant.1 Sperm are made in the two testicles, which are inside the scrotum. Sperm is stored in a tube attached to each testicle called the epididymis (pronounced ep-i-DID-uh-mis). When a man ejaculates, the sperm travel from the epididymis, through the vas deferens, and then mix with seminal fluid to form semen.”
So, before we get into erectile dysfunction, it is important to know some more about vasectomies. “A vasectomy is usually performed in the office of urologist, a doctor who specializes in the male urinary tract and reproductive system. In some cases, the urologist may decide to do a vasectomy in an outpatient surgery center or a hospital. This could be because of patient anxiety or because other procedures will be done at the same time.”
Okay, so we know what the procedure is and how it works. Here it is what you should do after the procedure, according to urologyhealth.org, “Your urologist should provide you with specific recommendations for your care after a vasectomy. It is generally wise to return home immediately after the procedure and avoid strenuous or sexual activity. Swelling and discomfort can be minimized by placing an ice pack on the scrotum and by wearing a supportive undergarment, such as a jockstrap. Most patients can expect to recover completely in less than a week and many are able to return to their job as early as a day after the procedure. “
From what I have read, vasectomy does not cause erectile dysfunction. But, it can cause other things, “In the immediate postoperative period there is the risk of bleeding into the scrotum. If the patient notices a significant increase in the size of his scrotum or significant scrotal discomfort, he should contact his urologist immediately. A patient experiencing fever, scrotal redness or tenderness should also be evaluated by the surgeon as this may indicate an infection. Discomfort is usually minimal and should respond to mild analgesics. More severe pain may indicate infection or other complications.”
There is also some pain that can follow the procedure, “Patients will often complain of mild lower abdominal discomfort similar to what one would experience from getting hit in the genitalia. A benign lump, or granuloma, may develop because there is a leakage of sperm from the cut end of the vas into the scrotal tissues. It may occasionally be painful or sensitive to touch or pressure.”
“Post-vasectomy pain syndrome is a chronic pain syndrome that follows vasectomy. The cause of this syndrome and its incidence are unclear. It is generally treated with anti-inflammatory agents. Occasionally, patients will elect to undergo vasectomy reversal in an attempt to alleviate this syndrome. Unfortunately, the response to surgical intervention is unpredictable. “