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 or pain is uncommon. This condition maybe termed "post-vasectomy syndrome" and may require additional surgery.

• As a vasectomy does not change testosterone levels, sexual function should not change after a vasectomy.

• Spontaneous formation of a new vas deferens connection (recanalization) through the scar tissue left by the vasectomy occurs very rarely but can result in pregnancy. This can be detected by a semen test after surgery. Recanalization occurs in approximately 1 out of 2,000 men after a negative semen test has been performed at 8 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.  A more recent study of over 400,000 men showed no increase in prostate cancer in men who had a vasectomy.”

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Dr. Ted Benderev is a well known urologist since 1990 who has performed more than 15,000 vasectomy and vasectomy reversal procedures. His practice is conveniently located in the Orange County communities including Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Corona, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, San Clemente, Tustin, Westminster, and adjacent Inland Empire counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, San Diego and Los Angeles.