Testicle Pain After Vasectomy | What To Do About Ball Pain?

Most men will agree that their testicles are at the top of the list of sensitive body parts. However, the structure of these organs is usually a mystery to a layman. It is natural to wonder if you might experience testicle pain after vasectomy, and if so, for how long?

If you are considering a vasectomy, you should know that there is minimal risk involved and recovery is reasonably fast, with very little pain. Everyone is different, and your period of pain or discomfort may be longer or shorter than the average. The other important point is that any complication or undue pain you experience is treatable, usually with a simple and non-invasive procedure.

What are the most common side effects of a vasectomy?

Following a traditional vasectomy, it is common to experience some bruising, swelling, and soreness, but if you follow the recovery instructions provided, you should feel back to normal within a few days. Many men feel no discomfort at all after the operation. Even if you have no pain, your testicles will need time to heal, so do as Dr. Werthman advises.

Testicle and scrotum swelling after vasectomy

After a vasectomy, mild to moderate natural bruising should be expected in the scrotum. Pain is usually manageable by pain medication and cloth-covered ice packs can be applied to the groin area for a few minutes every 10 to 20 minutes. Swelling and bruising in the testicles should last from a few hours to a few days following the procedure. A very small number of patients (roughly 0.5% of people) may develop bleeding within the scrotum that causes tenderness and swelling that may take a few months to clear up.

Two common questions about vasectomy

Two of the most frequently asked questions about vasectomies are, “will I have sore balls after a vasectomy?” and, “how long after a vasectomy will my testicles be sore?” Assuming the vasectomy was performed correctly, both of these questions depend upon strictly following the aftercare instructions, which include:

Maintaining firm support of your scrotum with bandaging and tight underwear for at least two days.
Apply cooling ice packs to reduce any inflammation for 48 hours.
Observe at least one day of rest and minimal activity for a day after surgery.
No sports, strenuous work, or lifting for a week.
No sexual activity for at least one week, or as Dr. Werthman advises.

You specific recovery advice may differ. You are unique, and your doctor has your full physical profile.

What can I do to ease any ball pain after vasectomy?

Mild over-the-counter pain relievers should be all that is needed to stay comfortable. Violating the aftercare instructions, such as engaging in strenuous physical or sexual activity before you should, can extend the time you experience pain or discomfort.

If your ball pain after vasectomy seems to linger or you have any concerns about recovery, Dr. Werthman will examine you and suggest practical ways to speed your recovery.

What is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a simple procedure that blocks both sperm ducts (vas deferens) through which sperm is transported. These ducts are cut and sealed, preventing sperm content in the ejaculated semen.

A conventional vasectomy involves a numbing injection, a small incision, and the vas is cut and separated and tied off. The incision is then sutured.

Advanced vasectomy surgery

A more advanced and less invasive vasectomy involves a sophisticated instrument that grasps the vas directly under the skin while the skin is punctured to raise the vas slightly for separating and sealing. No sutures are required, just a band-aid.

When post-vasectomy pain lingers or returns

In some men, testicle pain may linger beyond the average healing time, or reoccur months or years later. Dr. Werthman is an internationally-acclaimed specialist in post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) and has relieved the condition in many patients who have come to him from other doctors.

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How sperm granuloma can cause ball pain after vasectomy

Conventional vasectomy procedures can sometimes – though very rarely – damage the spermatic cord structure and compress the nerves within due to inflammation, leading to ball pain after vasectomy.

Both styles of vasectomy procedures, conventional and no-scalpel, can create a condition in which backpressure occurs in the duct (epididymitis) that transports sperm into the vas. While a potential source of pain or discomfort in the testicles, this condition responds well to treatment.

Other side effects include:

Swelling of the testicles due to fluid buildup. This condition should subside with time.
Bleeding or hematoma. This side effect typically resolves on its own during the healing period.
Bruising or discoloration may occur but will resolve on its own.

Dr. Werthman’s expertise in relieving ball pain after vasectomy

Dr. Werthman is among the most recognized vasectomy reversal surgeons and male fertility specialists in the world. He achieved this reputation through his skill and expertise in advanced procedures – and understanding all the factors that could go wrong – and how to resolve them. His practice is dedicated exclusively to surgery of the scrotum and vas.

This focus has given him an exceptional degree of insight into male reproductive anatomy. Dr. Werthman has authored two of the most acclaimed books on the subject of male fertility. He is the former Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology at the USC School of Medicine.

If you are experiencing testicle pain after your vasectomy, long after you should have recovered from the procedure, Dr. Werthman will identify the underlying cause and perform a treatment that will bring you relief.

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Schedule a private consultation with male fertility doctor Dr. Phillip Werthman to learn about your male reproduction options and get all of your questions answered.

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