Any experience of vasectomy side effects? Possible TMI warning!

[freshstart4us]

Not sure where to post this so choosing here as high traffic area, hope it doesn't offend! Just wondering if there is anyone out there who has had or who has had an OH have a vasectomy? My DH has agreed in principle as we have "finished" our family but we both worry about it have an affect on our enjoyment of his orgasm.

If you look in the Contraception topic, you'll find several threads abiut the side effects of vasectomy.

If it goes well, your DH will be back to normal within a couple of weeks and there's no real effect on sexual enjoyment (unless loss of fertility causes psycho-sexual problems).

But for 1:10 men there are the more serious complications, whcih can last months and for which there are few treatment options (other than reversal, and even recanalising the flow may not work). There is one MNetter for whom it has gone very badly wrong, and for whom the are no remaining treatment options, and a couple of others who suffered greatly (but either reached an acceptable state or about whom the end of the story is unknown).

Thinking of having it done myself, I'm a bit worried about it.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/family_planning

There was an interesting thread no so long ago about 'having it done again' (ie good choice you'd recommend, not likelihood of persistent non-clearance or other failure) but I can't find it. It might be in another topic (hope not vanished from 'chat') and if I can find it elsewhere, I'll link it.

Thanks for your replies. Dr Google is a scary place on such an interesting topic. Lots of stories of loss of enjoyment, sensation, etc. didn't realise there was a Contraception section though, will go take a look!

First post, almost the first subject on which I've felt I might lend something useful.

Had a vasectomy in the recent past, same situation: our family is complete and it seemed most reasonable for me to see to long-term contraception. I was certainly sore for a couple of weeks afterwards, more so than I was expecting having read around the subject, but all was well after a month or so. No loss in intensity of pleasure shall we say, just no little swimmers in the 'end product' any more.

Worth a mention: the injection of local anaesthetic directly into the nads is (was for me at least) eye-wateringly excruciating. Glad I got the procedure done, mind.

Look hard enough and you will find horror stories relating to any medical procedure. Sadly things will go wrong for a small minority. However, that's the risk you take in exchange for the desired outcome. There are a lot of myths around vasectomy, but for the vast majority of people it is simple and uncomplicated.

Thank you Tasteless, that is very heartening! Congrats on going through with it, from the Family Planning board and my SIL's experience, lots of men (my brother included) don't follow through so you win significant points there!

1:10 isn't that small a minority. And that's the more serious or lasting side effects, not the initial post-operative discomfort/infection.

It was a no-brainer really, both DC's were unplanned (we used condoms, never split, just got a bit lax, usually immediately after DW's period), this step took away any worry of an accidental third wee one.

I think the risks are really understated. My DH suffered pain for months afterwards and for about 2 years any slight knock was very painful. He had a haematoma so was virtually bed bound for 2 weeks. Also it didn't work!

My DH's vasectomy also didn't work! He had no bleeding, bruising or any real pain after getting it done though, and has not experienced any change in ejaculation sensation.

My husband had one in his mid-30s, no side effects, a little tenderness in the area for a day and was back at work the next day. It made no difference to the quality of his orgasms and he said everything felt 'normal' and unchanged.

35 years ago it was the best £95 we ever spent < actually my late mum paid for it >

I had a vasectomy 10 years ago. No pain or side effects. Worst thing about it was the first time my wife had a late period. Even after the all clear it was a nervy few days!

No problem with mine. But I have a friend who had the most terrible problems with pain and restricted blood flow soon afterward, which lasted on and off for years. The doctors said it was unrelated to the vasectomy, but that seemed like bollocks (oops!) to me.

Is the risk of complications really one in ten? I'm pretty sure when I was looking at it the available evidence suggested much lower than that. Not sure I would have had it done with those odds.

Glad I did though. Certainly makes life easier.

My DH had it done 10 years ago - I went to watch at the business end - the anaesthetic stung but that was the worst thing apparently. It was done on a Thursday pm, and he played 9 holes of golf on sat am. No real issues post op, and back to business as usual within 10 days. Do it!

I posted on the last thread on this subject. I felt a bit of discomfort for a week or so after my vasectomy, 20+ years ago. But then once we had the all clear, there was no difference in the sensation of ejaculation. As for the anaesthetic, the post above gives the impression that the injection is directly into the testicles, but it isn't. The surgeon pinches a bit of the scrotum together, just like you can pinch the loose skin on the back of your hand, and injects into that. I don't remember it being painful, but the anaesthetic did sting a little, although nothing to worry about.

Had it done many years ago, not any problems or side effects at all.

I wouldn't want my husband to have it done. I think women should take responsibility for their own contraception. It was enough that he offered to have it done.

It's generally a lot simpler op (under local too) than the female equivalent.
I shall be having it done when I man up a bit.

Really Tabby? I've taken responsibility for my own contraception for 30 years or so. I'd quite like to have a break from the artificial hormones thanks!

From the NHS page:

"Long-term testicular pain affects around one in 10 men after vasectomy. The pain is usually the result of a pinched nerve or scarring that occurred during the operation. You may be advised to undergo further surgery to repair the damage and to help minimise further pain."

That's listed separately in addition to other complications such as granuloma or haematoma, either of which might require further surgery if extensive. And it says 'minimise' not 'remove' the pain.

isabeau thats why I had it done. So I could stop taking the hormones! Never looked back, small minor op for a woman and is instant. No waiting 6 months for sperm to becomeinactive

Agree with Tabby
Risk of 1:10 chronic scrotal pain was too high for us. I had op whilst having a different procedure. Only side effect was some ovulation pain for about 6 months after, but easily treated with Neurofen.
Surgeon tried really hard to talk me out of it, with the " what if you get divorced" line, but my mind was made up.