The first
few days.
Some tenderness, swelling and bruising can occur after a vasectomy. Allow time to rest and follow the clinic’s advice about wound care, supportive underwear and pain relief.
Recovery varies. Plan ahead for help with physical tasks and talk to your doctor about the demands of your work, including lifting, driving or long shifts.
Your written aftercare instructions take priority over general information on this website.
Returning to
your routine.
Ask when you can return to work, exercise, heavy lifting and sex. The timing depends on your procedure, symptoms and usual activities.
Follow the advice you receive rather than working to a fixed deadline. If activity causes pain or swelling, stop and contact the clinic for guidance.
Your follow-up
semen test.
Sperm can remain in the reproductive tract after vasectomy, so the procedure is not immediately effective. You will need a semen test at the time advised by your doctor; further testing may sometimes be needed.
The clinic will explain how to arrange the test and obtain your results. Time elapsed since surgery, or a certain number of ejaculations, does not replace testing and medical clearance.
Wait for explicit clearance.
Keep using other contraception until your doctor has reviewed your result and tells you it is safe to stop. Vasectomy does not prevent sexually transmitted infections.
If something
doesn’t feel right.
Contact Doctor Elizabeth as per the aftercare instructions given to you at the procedure and emailed to you.
General information, not a personalised recovery plan.
Healthdirect: vasectomy ↗