Post-Vasectomy Instructions
How to recover like a pro.
Day Of
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Go directly home and rest flat in bed for the rest of the day.
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You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for the first 24 hours, then switch to ibuprofen if needed for discomfort.
Day After
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Be gentle. You may walk, drive, and return to sedentary work (like office or supervisory roles), but do not lift over 10 pounds.
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You can shower the morning after your procedure.
3-5 days after
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Three days after the procedure, you may resume more active work and regular activities. Wait 7 days before strenuous activities like running, jumping or lifting over 25 pounds.
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You can resume sexual activity 7 days after the procedure. It is common to have some blood in the semen for the first few ejaculations; use other contraception until your semen is confirmed sperm-free.
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Skin around the puncture site may discolor; some men may develop scrotal discoloration around day 4, which resolves gradually.
1 week+ after
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Swelling and discomfort on one or both sides can occur in about 1 in 20 men, representing an exaggerated form of the normal inflammatory response necessary for sperm absorption and recycling. This is typically managed with 600 mg ibuprofen 3 times per day for 5-7 days.
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You are still considered fertile after the vasectomy procedure. Get your semen sample checked at 12 weeks and 20 ejaculations after the procedure to verify sterility.
For any questions or concerns, you will be provided with your doctor's personal phone number.
Post-Vasectomy Semen Sample Instructions
At your appointment, you will be provided a take home kit to perform your sample at home 3 months and 20 ejaculations after your vasectomy. Follow the instructions in the kit carefully and mail the kit to the lab. You will receive an email with a secured link from the lab with your results. Until your semen shows ABSENT sperm you are still considered fertile and must continue birth control. If sperm are seen, you will need to continue birth control and repeat the sample 4 weeks later.