Vasectomy - your care after surgery

How do I look after myself after having a vasectomy?

You usually have very little trouble after a vasectomy. We suggest that you:

take things easy for the next 48 hours. There is no need to stay in bed, but too much activity can make healing take longer and may cause complications. We advise you to avoid sexual intercourse, driving or exercise within this time
wear supportive underpants (not boxer shorts) for 1 week, during the day and at night
avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 kilograms and avoid vigorous exercise for the first 2 weeks
manage any pain after the operation by taking pain relief medication. We recommend you take paracetamol 4 times a day for the first 48 hours. Other over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can be taken with paracetamol if needed. Please note that you will not be given any pain relief medication to take home with you, you must buy your own.
wait 24 hours after the operation before you shower, being careful of your wound(s). Avoid washing in a bath, swimming or using a hot tub until the wound(s) are fully healed. This can take 3 or more days.

If you have any problems in the first 4 weeks after your operation, please contact the Sexual Health Service, particularly if you think you have a wound infection (for example, your wound is increasingly painful, oozing pus). We will be able to advise you on what to do. Please contact your General Practitioner (GP) if you have any problems after the first 4 weeks.

If you have a problem occur outside of the Sexual Health Service opening hours, please contact your GP, NHS 111, pharmacy services or in the case of an emergency, go to the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre.

If you are treated for an infection after your operation by a service other than the Sexual Health Service, please contact us to let us know so that we can update your records.

How do I know if the surgery has worked?

You are not sterile immediately after your vasectomy. This is because some sperms have already passed beyond the site where the tubes are cut. These sperms need to be cleared by normal ejaculations.

Sperm will be present in your semen for some weeks after your operation. You must still use contraception (e.g. condoms) during this time. Continued ejaculation is important to get out all remaining sperm. Usually at least 30 ejaculations are necessary to flush out all of the left-over sperm.

It is important for us to test a sample of your semen (a pot will be provided) at least 16 weeks after your surgery to check if the surgery has worked or not. This is the only way to know whether your vasectomy has been successful.

You will receive a maximum of 2 text message reminders that the semen sample is due, at 16 weeks and if necessary again at 20 weeks after the operation. We will not remind you again after these 2 texts. It is your responsibility to provide semen sample(s) as explained, when we ask you for them.

Sometimes, more sperm samples are needed. If this is the case, we will contact you.

It is essential that you continue to use contraception until you have been told that your semen sample shows that the vasectomy has been successful.

How do I collect my semen sample?

At least 16 weeks after your surgery, you must provide a semen sample in the pot provided.

You should have been given a pot and a paper form. You must use the pot provided. If you have not got the semen pot or paper form, or they are damaged or lost, please ask for further supplies by telephoning 01709 427777.

You should have ejaculated at least 30 times in the weeks after your surgery before doing your semen sample. This is to make sure that all of the old sperm has been flushed away.
You should produce your semen sample at least 16 weeks after your vasectomy.
You should not have ejaculated for at least 3 days before collecting your sample. However your last ejaculation should be no more than 7 days before collecting your sample.
You should produce your sample by masturbation (by hand) and ejaculate directly into the plastic pot provided. Do not use a condom to collect the sample, and do not use lubricants as they may affect the sample quality.
You must collect all of the semen you produce.
Screw the lid back on the plastic pot very tightly to prevent leakage.

How soon do the samples need to reach the hospital?

The specimen must be brought to the hospital within 1 hour of semen collection. Take your sample pot immediately to the Pathology Laboratory, Level A, Rotherham Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham (within 1 hour of semen collection). Make sure that you get your sample to the laboratory reception desk between 9am and 1pm on any weekday (except weekends and Bank Holidays).
During the journey, it should be kept warm (at body temperature) in an inside pocket. Over-heating or over-cooling will affect the quality of the sample and give inaccurate results.

How will I know the results of my semen sample?

The results will normally go back to the surgeon for review.

They will send you a letter or text informing you of your results directly. You will need to know the results before you can tell whether your vasectomy has been successful in making you sterile.

When can I stop using contraception?

Continue using another method of contraception until you receive confirmation your surgery has been successful. You will be notified by letter or text message.

It is your responsibility to provide semen samples as explained, when required. If you do not provide the necessary semen samples, you will not know if the vasectomy has been successful.

Please contact us on telephone 01709 427777 if you have provided a sample but you haven’t heard from us about the result.

How to contact us

Sexual Health Services

Telephone: 01709 427777

Rotherham Hospital
Moorgate Road
Rotherham
S60 2UD