A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens, which are the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, and some discomfort or mild pain may be experienced during the process. However, the level of pain can vary from person to person, and factors such as individual pain tolerance and the skill (usually dependent on experience) of the surgeon can also influence the experience.

Following the procedure, it is common to experience some soreness, swelling, or mild discomfort in the scrotal area for one to two days. Over the counter pain medication and applying ice packs can help alleviate these symptoms. In general, the pain associated with a vasectomy is considered to be mild, and most men are able to resume their normal activities within a few days to a week.

At Go Vasectomy, instead of using a needle and syringe to inject numbing medication, we use a specialized instrument to create a high power spray over the skin and vas to anesthetize (numb) the area.  Men typically describe this as feeling like a light rubber band snap. It is done 4 times.  If additional anesthetic is needed during the procedure, it can be administered.

Here is data from the experience of 60 men who had vasectomies with Dr Tonozzi at Go Vasectomy. At one month following the vasectomy, they were asked, “On a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 is the most pain imaginable and 0 is no pain, rate your . . . ”. 

• Pain during the procedure:  Responses had a median pain score of 2, the range* was 1-3.
• Pain following the procedure (on the same day): Median score=3.2, range=2-5. 
• Pain the first day following the procedure: Median score=2.8,  range=1-4
• Pain the second day following the procedure: Median score=2, range=1-3.

*the range is 75% of respondents

Men seeing us also have tattoos and some have waxed to remove hair in the genital area. Men are unanimous in saying that both of these things are significantly more painful than the vasectomy.

The duration of pain is widely variable.  Many men report that the pain is completely resolved by 2 days after the procedure.  Others have mild discomfort for up to 2 weeks. The average duration of discomfort is 2-3 days.  It is important to follow post-operative instructions to minimize discomfort.

There is a risk of “Post-vasectomy Pain Syndrome” (PVPS) following vasectomy.  This is pain that lasts more than 2 months.  Studies show that about one in 250 men will have PVPS, but with the advent of “Open-ended Vasectomy” this may be less. Open ended vasectomy involves leaving the lower end of the vas deferens (which leads toward the testicle) unsealed.  This avoids pressure build up in that end of the tube, which is thought to cause PVPS. Using open-ended vasectomy, the risk for PVPS may be lower than 1/250, but studies have not been done to quantify this. There are many treatments available for PVPS. 

So rest assured.  The psychological benefits of vasectomy, such as the peace of mind and sense of responsibility it brings, often outweigh any transient discomfort associated with the procedure.