Preparing for your vasectomy
Before the operation
4 days before your operation, wet shave your scrotum (the bag of skin containing the testicles). Make sure the base of the penis is free from hair. Do not use hair remover cream.
Have a bath or shower on the morning of the operation. Pay particular attention to cleaning the foreskin, penis and scrotal area.
Eat a light meal before coming to the clinic.
Apply Emla numbing cream 30 minutes before your operation time.
Wear a pair of tight-fitting supportive underpants, not boxer shorts. And a loose fitting short-sleeve t shirt or shirt.
Arrive at the clinic at the arranged time.
Do not drive immediately after the operation. We recommend you arrange for someone to collect you after the operation.
How long does it take?
The vasectomy is carried out in clinic using a local anaesthetic. It takes approximately 30 minutes. You will need to wait in the clinic for a further 15-20 minutes before going home.
After the operation
A vasectomy is not immediately effective. Use another form of contraception until you are contacted by the clinic and told that your semen sample is sperm free.
Wear tight-fitting, supportive pants day and night for 10 days.
Do not work for at least 1 day. Avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks, including heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, sports and straining.
Remove extra padding after about 24 hours. If you have stitches, they do not need to be removed. They will dissolve on their own.
Keep the area dry for 24 hours. After this you can shower or wash around the area but do not soak in the bath or swim.
Avoid sports until the area is completely comfortable.
You may have sex as soon as it's comfortable to do so. Remember to use another form of contraception until you've have been told you have no sperm in your semen.
To treat minor bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound for at least 5 minutes. Wearing tight pants can help reduce swelling and bruises. You can also use an ice pack covered with a cloth on the area.
Use painkillers to manage any pain after the procedure but avoid aspirin.
If you experience any difficulties after your vasectomy, contact the clinic. If they are closed, visit your GP or A&E.
Up to 10% of men experience minor complications such as bleeding (haematoma) bruising or infection and this occasionally requires hospital treatment. Blood in the semen after the operation should quickly settle on its own. In a small number of cases the operation must be redone and that very rarely a failure occurs sometime after an apparently successful operation.
Infection is rare and long-term pain may occasionally occur after the operation. Research shows that chronic testicular pain may occur in up to 1 in 25 men after the operation. This usually settles in time without further treatment.
Semen test
A semen test is needed 4 months after your vasectomy. This is to check that the procedure has been successful and there is no sperm reaching your semen.
After your procedure, you'll be given a container to use for providing a sample of semen for this test.
To clear the remaining sperm after your procedure you should try to ejaculate at least 20 times before your sample is done. It's recommended that you do not have intercourse for at least 3 days before you collect the sample.
You should collect the specimen by masturbation (not using a condom). All of your sample is needed.
Write the date on the container and form, and place in the specimen bag provided. Make certain that the lid is firmly in place.
Your GP will be notified once your sample is sperm-free. Your results will not be given over the phone to ensure confidentiality.
If you have any further queries or concerns, please ask a member of staff at your appointment.
Occasionally it takes longer (6-12 months) for sperm to clear completely.
Continue to use contraception until you have been told by the clinic that your semen sample was sperm-free.
Using the numbing cream
You will be given a numbing, local anaesthetic cream called Emla to apply 30 minutes before your procedure.
Squeeze the cream onto the area underneath the penis on the front side of the scrotum. Do not put it too low down. Leave in a mound and do not rub the cream in to be anaesthetized in a mound. Under the penis on front side of scrotum (not too low down). Do not rub in.
Peel the beige coloured paper layer ‘centre cut out’ from the dressing marked 3M Tagderm.
Peel the layer (marked 3M Tagderm) from the dressing.
Apply the adhesive dressing with its paper frame to cover the local anaesthetic cream. Do not spread the cream.
Remove the paper frame using the cut mark. Smooth down the edges of the dressing carefully and leave in place for at least 30 minutes.
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