Vasectomy - your experience

[Frecklesandspecs]

Hi Dh has an appt this week with Dr as he wants the snip. (just had our third)
I'm fine with it but was reading up on it last night and reading some negative stories.
Can anyone share please. Did you/dp have pvp pain afterwards and for how long? How long did he need off work and was it sucessfull?
What are your thoughts now?

DH had it done 9 years ago. He still says, to this day, he wishes he hadn't. I tell him to try pushing 4 9 1/2 lovers out your foof, and then he can complain.

That should read four 9 and a half lbers! Definitely not 49 1/2 LOVERS!!!

My BiL had it done and ended up with retrograde ejaculation, which is apparently not very pleasant. He warned my husband against doing it. Somewhat ironically they've now both had to have radical prostatectomies (both diagnosed with prostate cancer very young) which renders you infertile anyway (but probably has resolved his post-vasectomy problem as there is no ejaculate if the prostate is removed).

I think it's unfortunate that it seen as a simple 'snip' when there can be complications; all surgery should be considered very carefully. I think you need to consider whether there is a non-surgical option that does work for you, and then weigh the risks and inconvenience of that against surgery.

The zee!! That confused me on first reading!!
Treater, sounds very unpleasant!!
Overall it does not sound so positive!
I may have to read up on the female version.
Can't do pills as I have dvt history.
I wonder if anyone else has any bad experiences?
That's quite a few already for one thread.
Can understand how its impacted yoyr life fuzz.

And so starts another night on the settee. FFS.

TheFuzz - poor you. It was sounding optimistic not so long ago. I do hope this is only a temporary set back.

My dh had one & very straight forward. You can ask to see the surgeons success rates & I personally would goto ssomeone who specializes not GP.

My DH had it done last Fri, by a surgeon, not a GP. For the first few days he was absolutely fine and it's just the last couple that they're looking a little bit bruised, but no swelling. It's more that the stitches and hair re-growth are irritating him. I don't know if there are different ways of doing it, but he had a small incision on each side and they cut a length of each tube out, and then cauterised. I don't see how he can fail to get the 'all clear' when a section of the tube has been removed. I'm pregnant with DC3, so we have a few months before we'll need it to have been successful anyway. We're not in UK, but DH said there was no way he was just going to let a GP loose on them, far better to have someone who does them all the time.

My DH had it done last Fri, by a surgeon, not a GP. For the first few days he was absolutely fine and it's just the last couple that they're looking a little bit bruised, but no swelling. It's more that the stitches and hair re-growth are irritating him. I don't know if there are different ways of doing it, but he had a small incision on each side and they cut a length of each tube out, and then cauterised. I don't see how he can fail to get the 'all clear' when a section of the tube has been removed. I'm pregnant with DC3, so we have a few months before we'll need it to have been successful anyway. We're not in UK, but DH said there was no way he was just going to let a GP loose on them, far better to have someone who does them all the time.

Dippywhentired, that's the more traditional vasectomy, but in the UK and US the surgery is 'usually' the no scalpel method - i.e. one slightly off centre incision (there is still a cut) and no stitching.

I'm still in considerable pain following the second operation and if things don't improve by the time I see my consultant in a few months, then its time to remove one. I can't carry on without sleep much longer.

Brief update to keep things in one place.

Consultant can do no more for me. Bascially can't guarantee removal of my testicle(s) will remove pain. The general consensus is any surgery down thre will cause scarring and pain and that includes vasectomy.

I've been referred to Pain Managmeent but it's likely to be another 6 months before I get any help. I've asked for nerve blocks rather than anti depressant/anti epilepsy drugs. If I get nerve blocks, these will be straight into my spermatic cord in my testicles. May only last a few hours so repeated treatment needed.

I've been referred to councelling, only after pushing for it, and I've had a letter saying I don't meet the criteria so back to square one. GP has just issued me with a truck load of codeine. Has been useless.

Please think about the risks. The GP won't let you know about them and you'll be disowned if you get it. Only so much can be done by further invasive surgery.

Oh and kiss goodbye to your sex life.

Blimey! Just sent this thread to dp to read. He's got got an initial appt next Mon, i'm not keen!

Apologies cakey if I do keep dragging this up.

My main frustration is the lies I was told by my GP, and that of the operating GP. One of my Urology consultants said they do warn men who have a vasectomy of a 1 in 10 chance of long term pain when they come into the hospital. The issue is, most of the service is outsourced to GP's, and it's a nice earner, so you aren't told about it.

You need to quiz the GP, and I would go with your husband. My wife wasn't involved in the consultation at all, other than 'go book yourself in' - the GP didn't want to see her !

It's a nasty thing to get that's hushed up. It's easier to deal with if you are not active - certainly no fun if you do sports (I cycle over 30 miles each day). The down side is there is little support for you after, and when you do see a Urologist you'll possibly be offered an epididymectomy - that's really not a nice operation but when it's your only option, you take it, but it's 50/50 it will relieve pain. Mine got worse at the operation site and I have painful internal scarring.

I was also told that the testicle has three blood supplies, that of the vas (which gets cut on vasectomy), the spermatic cord and another supply. I had the 'other' supply damaged in the vasectomy so I've got one supply to the left.

I've asked about microsurgery to strip the spermatic cord, but they have said that's really risky with the main blood supply being there, and if you do lose it, then you could still be in pain. The surgeons keep saying 'don't chop it off we can't guarantee you will be pain free. Can't get more honest than that and I've asked for both to be chopped off and I'll live with injecting testosterone !

My options are continued use of high doses of codeine - need these to get any sleep, or possibly pursuading the hospital to do nerve blocks. I'm not looking forward to that, but needs must.

Only will the Urology team tell you the truth. I hate going in as I'm the youngest patient there by a good 20 years (I'm mid 40's).

Just to say 90% do go well, but to hide the fact of a 10% 'nasty complication' rate is down right poor.

DH had his done and has had no problems at all, our sex life is way better and more frequent too. He has a small amount of pain and swelling for 3-4 days then just a bit achey for a couple of weeks. We are lucky, our NHS area has a very experienced GP who decided to specialise in doing them and he spends half his working week just doing vasectomies.

I have to admit that I didn't realise the complication rate was as high as 10% before he went to have it done. The Fuzz, I'm sorry it went so badly wrong for you.

I went to a GP that specializes in it too, and as you say spent most of his time doing it. But, I got a GP who was 'learning' the procedure and he actually took over the practice as the main fella retired. Despite being 'supervised' it didn't go well.

I remember specifically asking about PVPS as I was bothered about it because of my sport. I've los tover 8 weeks off work in the past 18 months, and I still get severe bouts of pain that end up with me in bed.

I really don't like to drag this subject up, but it's obvious nobody is actually told of the risks. Yeh, it's not a bad procedure, no worse than a filling, and no bloke likes to get his privates out to anyone other than his partner. Once you get over the 'argh what are you doing' and providing the pain relief works (it's too late if it doesnt) then its over in 30 minutes.

It's seen as a bit of a joke, if it goes right then yeh it's not bad at all, but when it goes wrong it's not funny and the stark reality is they can't fix it - that's the worrying bit

And the other thing is, even if the operation has gone well, PVPS can strike at any time, even years later.

Just do your research and quiz the GP.

Quick update. Getting pain injections soon. Hope these work.

I've had a kick in the goolies though.

Testosterone is just 9.1 in a range of 8.4-28.7 considered normal. 9.1 is worse than that in an average 90 year old bloke. I should be in the low 20's

So going to have to be on testosterone replacement for life, if the GP will treat me.

This is not what I expected, but will explain why I don't feel like getting frisky and am a grumpy git.

That's more ammo for my solicitor

Just came across this thread on my search of vasectomy.

Freckles, did your dh have the snip?
And cakey?

Dh is now researching this after being absolutely against it 5 years ago when we had our 3rd and last child. I'm 41 and can't take the pill because of dvt/pe history.

After reading this, I think a one in ten chance is too high. Oh dear, what a difficult decision.

Well it's left me in constant pain and I'm heading to be impotent with these blood test results. I have no sex drive and am exhausted.

Got more results to come, and if these remain low then I will have a battle to get hormone replacement. Down side of that means my balls will pack in completely and I will be on it for life.

As you can imagine I am incredibly angry about the whole thing. Never mind the one in ten, it's left me almost impotent. FFS.

I can't recommend it. The risks are too high. Two years of agony, wrecked sex life, wrecked hormonal balance, almost impotent.

Not been here for a while.

Second testosterone came back lower, and my GP dragged feet. Finally saw my surgeon on a routine check up, showed him my results and they are now less than 5, when a guy my age should by 20s. I can't believe I am still standing. I can't hold an erection for long and when I do it isn't standing to attention. This is something that has gotten worse and will continue to get worse.

I still do not have hormone replacement as my GP won't act until my consultant writes back, despite all my blood tests, and very detailed ones, showing everything else is OK, no pituitary issues, no cancer, nothing.

Fit and healthy, but the vasectomy has all but castrated me. Replacement therapy is for life as my testicles will pack in and shrivel up. Replacement also has risks, regular checks for prostrate cancer, regular blood checks to see if my blood isn't too thick.

What a bloody disaster. Who would have thought this simple procedure could not only lead to permanent pain, but complete loss of libido and sexual function needing replacement therapy for life.

As you could imagine, I will be avoiding crossing paths with the GP as I will be up on charges.

Surgery for contraception is not worth the risks for either person.

Onwards and upwards, I should feel a lot better when my GP can be bothered to prescribe. Been hung out to dry by my goolies.

Never again. Oh and that won't fix my pain. Fabulous.

TheFuzz

I am so saddened to read that update

And so that it is taking so long to get the prescription. I know why they have to be careful, but that doesn't excuse obstructiveness.

Finally moved to new GP. Both GP and endo agree I need Testosterone replacement. Levels dropped further.

I will be on this for life due to the damage from the vasectomy. Im still in considerable pain as injections haven't really helped.

Sex life on hold until we get my levels right. Also have to be careful with cross contamination so have to plan when I apply the gell. Its rather potent and can be transferred by touch to the application sites.

Hi all,
Interesting to read all of these experiences, good and equally bad. Feel very sorry for the guys who had bad experiences and get pain, can't imagine anything worse.
I had my snip 3 weeks ago and had a local GP (not my own) do mine. Really experienced and a high rate of success. On Googling the procedure there was little in the way of what you need to discuss with your partner, chatting with your GP, the referral, the procedure itself, and afterwards. So I put my experience on a blog, not graphic and all in my own words - DevonSnip.blogger.com
Feel free to have a look.
So far so good, no pain and healing up really well.
DevonSnip

worse thing I ever did massive infection .Constant pain would stop me in my tracks and ached all the time ,Very tender ended up and strong pain killers and anti depresants

Had operation to reverse it and remove scar tissue told that would sort it out better but still not right.

left in pain for ever nothing they can do and couldn't rely on it so had to use other precautions

loads of info about the negative side of this and long lasting side effect but these are never taken seriously. There are many sucess stories but please be aware there is a 1 in 10 chance you are left in pain or worse nothing they can do .

PLEASE research everything not the quick fix everyone is lead to believe