More than 500,000 men go through ‘the big snip’ each year and live to tell the tale. Though having a vasectomy is definitely not on a man’s list of fun things to do, it can certainly be a very responsible decision for a man’s partner and family. The biggest fear of most men facing a vasectomy is the worries about pain or having a very sore penis. Fortunately, practicing good penis care, according to the doctor’s instruction, can help alleviate the potential discomfort of a vasectomy.
So without further ado, here are a few points that dispel the myths of the vasectomy, including that dreaded sore penis and other pain that most men fear will result from the snip.
1) It’s a very fast procedure. Something that will prevent a man from getting someone pregnant seems as though it would be very involved, but surprisingly, it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish – and that includes the local anesthesia that is designed to ensure there is no feeling down there during the snip. To put it in perspective, that’s about the same time it takes to sit through a typical football halftime show.
2) Recovery time is fast, too. Men who go through a vasectomy are often surprised to find that they are allowed to go back to work the next day, and can resume all normal activities a week later. Any soreness or swelling can be handled with over the counter meds and an ice pack.
3) It doesn’t hurt that much. Of course, pain is a very different beast for every man, and what one considers a small pain another might see as being worthy of the emergency room. However, most men agree on the lingering sore penis and pain from a vasectomy: It’s manageable. The aforementioned medications and ice packs can take care of the problem.
4) Pregnancy is still possible. The physician performs the vasectomy but cutting through the vas deferens, which is the tube that carries semen from the testicle. Even after the snip, there might be some sperm lingering in the tube. That’s why a man should ejaculate at least 20 times in the months following the procedure to be certain he isn’t shooting ‘live rounds.’
5) There are no issues with drive or performance. Besides those few days in the beginning, when a man likely isn’t in the mood to get it on, there will be no changes in a man’s performance in the bedroom, nor in his sex drive. There are no noticeable changes in the ejaculate, either.
6) Reversal is possible. A man who changes his mind about having children can have the vasectomy reversed, though it isn’t as much of a ‘sure thing’ as it was to get snipped. Out of the 10% of men who choose to reverse the procedure, there is about an 80% success rate. Recovery from a reversal is usually the same as recovery from the snip.
7) Insurance covers it. Insurance companies have a vested interest in making sure a man doesn’t create any little ones who will then need insurance, too. That’s why insurance will usually cover 100% of a vasectomy. But when it comes to reversals, it’s a different story – a man might be on the hook for up to $10,000 to pay for it.
Caring for the sore penis
A man who just had a vasectomy will treat his junk with the utmost care, and that should include the use of a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Look for a cream that contains soothing elements for sore penis skin, such as Shea butter and vitamin E. Seeking out vitamin B5 for the maintenance of healthy tissue, acetyl L carnitine to fight against nerve damage and vitamin C for erectile function is also a good idea. In addition to using a great penis health crème, make sure to follow the doctor’s orders for recovery to help ensure a healthy, vital penis after a vasectomy.
