Vasectomy Post-Operative Instructions

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Please review the instructions below to assist in your recovery from your vasectomy.

• Wear the scrotal support for one week following the procedure.

• Place an ice pack (a bag of frozen peas works well) inside scrotal support on top of gauze dressing – change every few hours until bedtime the day of the procedure.

• Keep the gauze and fluff dressing in place for one day.

• Take it easy (no running, heavy lifting, straining, etc.) for one week.  Avoid straddle activities like cycling, horseback riding for at least two weeks.

• It is expected to have a small amount of blood stain the gauze dressing as well as some bruising and skin discoloration.  Sometimes the incision may separate slightly before healing.  There may be some swelling and firmness at the site of vasectomy.

• Take the antibiotic as prescribed to help prevent infection.

• You may take the narcotic medication as prescribed for discomfort or you may take over-the-counter motrin or advil as directed.  Do not take any aspirin products for two weeks following the procedure.

• You may shower tomorrow– pat your scrotum dry, do not rub.  Do not take a bath or go swimming for two weeks.

• Two small incisions were made in your scrotum and closed with absorbable suture.  This suture dissolves on its own and does not need to be removed.

• Abstain from intercourse for one week.  When sexual activity resumes, you must use another form of birth control.  You can get pregnant following a vasectomy because of the residual sperm in your vas deferens.  A semen analysis is obtained in a minimum of three months or after thirty to forty ejaculations, whichever is a longer period of time.  You must provide a semen sample to document that no sperm are present.

• Make a clinic appointment for three to four months following your vasectomy (410)955-6100.  Provide a semen sample in the container provided and bring it with you the day of your appointment.  Abstain from ejaculation for two to three days before collecting your semen sample and try to collect the specimen within an hour of your appointment.  You may collect here in our clinic if that is preferred.

If any questions remain, please feel free to contact me at my office (410)502-1718 or cell phone (443)286-2721. 

Karen E. Boyle, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Urology
Director, Reproductive Medicine & Surgery
The Brady Urological Institute at Greenspring Station
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Phone:  (410)502-1718
Fax:  (410)502-7711
kboyle@jhmi.edu