Vasectomy Risks and Complications

Any surgery carries the risk of infection or swelling to some degree. The No Scalpel Vasectomy is known for its reduced chance of bleeding. Occasionally, with any type of vasectomy a small hematoma (pocket of blood) can occur.

What Are the General Risks of a Vasectomy?

• Congestion of sperm may cause some aching in the area of the testicles for several weeks after vasectomy. Like a granuloma, congestion usually resolves over time.

• Epididymitis is an inflammation of the larger tube behind the testicle that connects to the vas. It occurs in approximately 1% of patients. Antibiotics are used for treatment.

• Antibodies are produced by the body in response to the absorbed sperm. The antibodies are not thought to be harmful but can make fertility difficult to restore later.

• A sperm granuloma occurs in a minority of vasectomies. The granuloma is a hard, sometimes painful lump that is the size of a pea and may form over a period of weeks as a result of sperm leakage. The lump is not dangerous and usually resolves over time.

• Persistent testicular discomfort is rare.

• Spontaneous formation of a new vas deferens connection (recanalization) through the scar tissue left by the vasectomy occurs very rarely. This can usually be detected by a semen test after surgery. Recanalization occurs in as little as 1 out of 4,000 men (after a negative semen test has been performed at 12 weeks or longer after surgery).

• Some studies have suggested, but not proven, that vasectomy may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease and prostate cancer.

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