A vasectomy is a male sterilization procedure. It involves cutting and sealing the tubes that transmit sperm to a man's ejaculation. As a result, a man should not be able to get a woman pregnant. It is generally used as a contraceptive. Although this is a safe and common procedure, it can lead to complications. We'll detail in this article the possible complications of this procedure.

What are the possible long-term complications of vasectomy?

Despite the fact thatthe risk of complicationsis minimal, it is possible to experience side effects over the longer term.

Pain and discomfort

Some men may experience chronic pain following a vasectomy. This pain can range from dull and intense to severe. It is estimated that about 1 to 2% of men sufferchronic scrotal pain after the procedure. They rarely require additional surgery to correct the pain.

Delayed surgical failure

After a vasectomy, asperm sample must be negative for a man.

In rare cases, the vas deferens that has been cut may grow back over time. As a result, a man may experience a delayed vasectomy failure and again have viable sperm in his semen sample.

Recent research estimates that this occurs in a reliable 0.05 to 1% of all men who undergoa vasectomy.

Epididymitis

The epididymisis a duct located behind the testes. It allows the spermatozoa to flow into the vas deferens. When a man undergoes a vasectomy, sperm can still flow from the epididymis to the vas deferens. But it accumulates because the vas deferens has been cut. In some men, this can cause inflammation of the gland or epididymitis.

Symptoms associated with the disease include pain and swelling. Epididymitis following vasectomy occurs in approximately 1-3% of all men after vasectomy.

Vaso-venous fistula

Vasovenous fistula is a very rare complication of vasectomy. This condition occurs when several blood vessels adhere to the vas deferens, which then becomes injured when a man undergoes vasectomy. This can lead to a buildup of blood leading to the development of a fistula or an abnormal connection between the vas deferens and nearby blood vessels.

Symptoms of avaso-venous fistula may include blood in the urine or ejaculation. Although this complication is very rare, seek medical attention immediately if you experience these signs.

Sperm granuloma

A sperm granuloma is a piece of semen that can cause small bumps or cysts ranging in size from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter. A person can have several lesions. They usually cause no symptoms. However, some men may have pain in the areas of granulomas.

Experts estimate that 15-40% of men undergoingvasectomy experience sperm granuloma. In some cases, it may be necessary to surgically remove the granuloma.

Short-term side effects of a vasectomy?

You may sometimes experience adverse effects a few hours to a few days after a vasectomy. These side effects often do not extend beyond the recovery period. However, if you don't know if a complication is expected, talk to your doctor.

Pain and discomfort

Despite the fact that the procedure is usually very short, it is not unusual to experience some discomfort and pain afterward. If this happens, taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help.

Another option is to wear supportive underwear that lifts the testicles. It can also relieve pain.

Discoloration of the scrotum

After a vasectomy, you should expect some ecchymosis And to swelling of the scrotum. This is not usually a cause for concern. It is often resolved quickly.

Some doctors may recommend applying cloth-covered ice packs to the scrotum every 10 to 15 minutes. They may also recommend taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications are intended to reducethe.inflammation.

Bleeding or hematoma

Complications related to short-term bleeding after a vasectomy can sometimes occur. These includebleeding from the surgical site or a hematoma.A hematoma is a collection of blood that can put pressure on other nearby structures in the body.

Experts estimate that bleeding or hematoma occurs in 4 to 20% of reliable sources of vasectomies. However, the bleeding will normally disappear after the procedure.

If you continued to bleed, call your doctor.

Surgical site infection

Whenever incisions or instruments are inserted into the body, there is a risk of infection after the procedure. Your doctor will take steps to minimize this risk. This includes things like washing your hands, wearing sterile gloves and cleaning the area with a special soap solution before making an incision.

Your doctor will usually only prescribe not of antibiotics to prevent infection unless you currently have an active infection or other risk factors, such as a history of surgical site infections.

Swelling

Swelling after a vasectomy can be due to a number of reasons, such as:

• Bleeding
• Hematoma
• Formation of a simple post-surgical fluid collection

The swelling associated with these side effects will usually subside over time. If not, your doctor may need to drain the affected area.

Sources:

https://vasectomie.net/Vasectomy_AUA_guideline.pdf
http://www.doi.org/10.3843/GLOWM.10409