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Risks Of A Vasectomy Procedure With His Choice Health

Risks of Vasectomy

I understand vasectomy is a procedure intended to result in permanent sterility. I will not be capable of fathering a child naturally after my vasectomy procedure.

Alternative Contraception

I am aware of alternative male methods to vasectomy (i.e. condoms) and alternative reversible female methods of birth control (hormonal birth control pills and hormonal injections).

I am aware the intrauterine device (IUD) for females is long acting (3 to 12 years) and is as effective as either tubal ligation for females or vasectomy for males. In comparison to vasectomy or tubal ligation, the IUD is easy reversible.

The IUD is the best alternative to either vasectomy or tubal ligation because the IUD is safe, effective, long-acting, and completely reversible.

Vasectomy Reversal

I am aware vasectomy can be surgically reversed but the success of vasectomy reversal cannot be guaranteed. Vasectomy reversal surgery is expensive and is almost never covered by health insurance.

Potential risks of vasectomy

Risks of vasectomy: Normal Expectations and Abnormal Complications

I recognize there are risks, both known and unknown, associated with vasectomy, and no guarantee has been given to me as to the results of this procedure. Possible complications include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Temporary discomfort/pain (100%)
  • Scrotal bruising (30%)
  • Non-painful nodules(s) at the vasectomy site(s) or in the epididymis (25%)
  • Vasectomy regret (< 10%)
  • Vasovagal syncope (fainting) (<10%)
  • Inflammatory reaction in the epididymis or vas deferens (< 5%)
  • Excessive bleeding inside the scrotum resulting in a scrotal hematoma (1%)
  • Painful nodule(s) at the vasectomy site(s) or in the epididymis (1%)
  • Failure to achieve or to maintain sterility (0.3%)
  • Chronic scrotal pain (<0.3%)
  • Infection (0.1%)
  • Impaired blood flow resulting in the loss of a testicle (< 0.01%)
  • Emotional reactions that could interfere with normal sexual function (uncommon)
  • Allergy or adverse reaction to an anesthetic or medication (rare)

1. Temporary discomfort/pain

All patients (100%) will experience some sort of discomfort or pain after vasectomy. Most His Choice Vasectomy patients rate their pain as minimal during the procedure. Many patients are pleasantly surprised at how easy their vasectomy procedure is. Most patients will rate their pain as a two (2) on a 10 point scale twenty-four (24) hours after having a vasectomy. Most patients will rate their pain as a zero (0) one month after having a vasectomy procedure.

Mild discomfort can come and go the first several weeks after your procedure. In almost all cases, over the counter anti-inflammatory medications and firm fitting underwear will effectively treat any discomfort. By the time of the three (3) month after vasectomy semen sample, most patients report being entirely back to normal. In some rare cases, patients can experience episodes of discomfort which periodically occur during the first year. Over time these episodes of discomfort will completely but gradually resolve.

More information: Vasectomy and pain

2. Painless scrotal bruising

Approximately 30% ( 1 out of 3) of patients will experience painless bruising in the scrotal skin during the first two (2) weeks after vasectomy. Bruising can be very common and will slowly resolve.

More information: Vasectomy and bruising

3. Non-painful nodules(s) at the vasectomy site(s) or in the epididymis

Approximately 25% (1 out of 4) of patients can form a painless nodule at one or both vasectomy sites or in the epididymis after vasectomy. Painless vasectomy site nodule formation is common after vasectomy. It is so common it can be considered normal for some patients to develop small nodules at the vasectomy site of in the epididymis. Sometimes the nodules resolve overtime and sometimes they are permanent. These nodules are sperm granulomas (collections of sperm) combined with normal healing tissue.

Usually these nodules feel larger the first several weeks after your procedure (about the size of a nickel or dime) and they may also be tender. They feel larger because of inflammation. As you gradually heal and the inflammation subsides, these nodules will slowly decrease in size and become less tender. Approximately twelve (12) months after vasectomy, these nodules will either have completely resolved or will have shrunk to the size of a small pea. If vasectomy site nodules persist one year after vasectomy, they are typically small and painless but will be permanent. These nodules are sperm granulomas and can be considered a normal, healthy reaction to vasectomy.

More information: Vasectomy and non-painful nodules

4. Vasectomy regret

Up to 10% (1 out of 10) of patients may regret having a vasectomy. The most common reason for vasectomy regret is a desire to have more children. If you regret your vasectomy then you will consider vasectomy reversal surgery. Vasectomy reversal surgery is expensive, not covered by health insurance, and is not guaranteed to work.

Some patients will consider sperm banking before having a vasectomy. Sperm banking acts as an insurance policy should patients experience vasectomy regret and want to have more children.

More information: Vasectomy and regret

5. Vasovagal syncope (fainting)

Less than 10% of men could experience vasovagal syncope (i.e. fainting) during or immediately after a vasectomy procedure. Vasovagal syncope is fainting that occurs because your brain overreacts to certain triggers, such as the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress.

Most vasectomy patients do not faint because of pain. Most patients who have vasovagal syncope usually have a history of these episodes with previous stressful events. This is usually temporary and resolves after lying down. We encourage you to bring a driver if you have a history of fainting or are unsure of your reaction to the stress of having a vasectomy.

More information: Vasectomy and fainting

6. Inflammatory reaction in the in the epididymis or at the vasectomy site on the vas deferens

Approximately 5% (1 out of 20) of patients will have temporary inflammation in the epididymis or at the vasectomy site in the vas deferens one (1) week to (12) months after their vasectomy. Most episodes occur within the first three (3) months of having a vasectomy.

The inflammatory response is due to either the healing response in the part of the vas deferens exposed to cautery (burning) during the vasectomy, leakage of sperm at the vasectomy site after the vasectomy, or build up and leakage of sperm in the epididymis after the vasectomy. This causes temporary inflammation as the immune response responds and is easily relieved with over the counter anti-inflammatory medications and firm fitting underwear. The inflammation typically resolves within two (2) weeks. Occasionally these inflammatory episodes can reoccur within the first twelve (12 ) months of a vasectomy procedure. This inflammation will resolve with the passage of time.

More information: Vasectomy and inflammation

7. Excessive bleeding inside the scrotum resulting in a scrotal hematoma

Approximately 1% (1 out of 100) of patients will have excessive bleeding inside the scrotum within the first twenty-four (24) hours after vasectomy. The accumulated blood will form a blood clot inside the scrotum. This is called a scrotal hematoma. If this happens your scrotum will become enlarged, bruised, and painful.

This is not life threatening. In the vast majority of patients, their body will slowly dissolve the blood clot and no treatment is required. The time to complete resolution depends on the size of the hematoma. A small hematoma (the size of third testicle) will resolve within three (3) weeks. A large hematoma (size of a grapefruit) may take three (3) to six (6) months to slowly resolve. In severe cases (extremely large and painful hematomas) a second procedure in the operating room may be required to remove the blood clot.

More information: Vasectomy and bleeding

8. Painful nodules at the vasectomy site(s) or in the epididymis: sperm granuloma/neuromas

Less than 1% (1 out of 100) of patients will form a chronic painful nodule at the vasectomy site or in the epididymis. Chronic means pain lasting longer than six (6) months. These nodules are most likely sperm granulomas which have evolved into neuromas, which is an abnormal healing of nerves.

The formation of granulomatous nodules (sperm collections) is very common after vasectomy. Immediately after vasectomy, these nodules are tender and larger but over time decrease in size and become less painful. In the vast majority of patients, painful nodules will resolve within the first six (6) months of vasectomy.

In some patients, nodules that are sperm granulomas will evolve into granulomatous neuromas (sperm collections with abnormal nerve formation) that are persistent and painful. In some patients, painful granulomatous neuromas will persist for more than a year and additional treatments (medications or removal) may be required.

More information: Painful nodules after vasectomy

9. Failure to achieve or to maintain sterility

Pregnancy can occur within the first three (3) months of a vasectomy procedure because there are many live sperm stored above the vasectomy sites. Most vasectomy ‘failures’ are within the first three (3) months of vasectomy and are the direct result of stopping other birth control methods before having an after vasectomy semen sample.

Once a single, three (3) month semen sample proves the vasectomy has worked the chance of a reconnection of the vas deferens resulting in a late vasectomy failure with the methods used in a His Choice vasectomy procedure is 0.05% (5 out of every 10,000 patients).

Late vasectomy failures resulting in pregnancy are very uncommon with the methods used during a His Choice Vasectomy procedure.

More information: Vasectomy failure

10. Chronic scrotal pain

Less than 0.3% (3 out of every 1000) of patients can develop chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy. Chronic means pain that last longer than six (6) months. In most patients with chronic scrotal pain, the pain is mild but noticeable. In some patients, the pain can be severe enough to affect daily activities and negatively impact their quality of life. Chronic scrotal pain is very uncommon, can be difficult to treat, and may require additional medical/surgical treatment(s).

More information: Chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy

11. Infection

Less than 0.1% (1 out of every 1000) of patients can develop an infection after vasectomy. Infection is so uncommon that routine antibiotics are not recommended during or after a vasectomy procedure. Patients can develop infections at the site of the skin opening, in the prostate, or, in very rare cases, an abscess can form inside the scrotum.

More information: Infection after vasectomy

12. Impaired blood flow resulting in the loss of a testicle

Less than 0.1% (1 out of every 1000) of patients can have impaired blood flow that could result in the loss of a testicle. This is a rare complication of vasectomy. Typically there are multiple contributing factors, ie obesity, diabetes, severe vascular disease, cigarette smoking, and/or a history of previous scrotal surgery.

More information: Losing a testicle after vasectomy

13. Emotional reactions that could interfere with normal sexual function

Some patients have severe regret, depression, or anxiety because of their vasectomy and their inability to father more children. Some of these patients can experience interference with their normal sexual function as a result of vasectomy regret.

More information: Emotional reactions after vasectomy

14. Allergy or adverse reaction to an anesthetic or medication

Some patients could have an allergy or adverse reaction to the skin anti-septic solution or the local anesthetic medication. Allergies and adverse reactions are rare, can be treated with over the counter medications, and resolve without additional treatment.

More information: Rare allergic reactions after vasectomy

Agreements and Understandings

I agree to the administration of local anesthetic (medicine to numb the area of the surgery) or other medications before, during, or after the procedure.

I understand vasectomy is not immediately effective and I must use another method of birth control until a three (3) month after vasectomy semen test proves my vasectomy was successful.

I understand and accept these or other conditions may necessitate further treatment, tests, another operation, procedure, and/or hospitalization, at my own expense. I request and authorize my doctor or other qualified medical personnel to perform such treatment or procedures as required.

I understand the importance of the three (3) month semen sample follow-up. I understand the three (3) month semen sample follow-up test will determine if there is an early vasectomy failure. I understand late vasectomy failure is possible but uncommon.

I understand it is my responsibility to remember to complete the semen sample test three (3) months after my procedure for evaluation. 

I understand neither the doctor nor the office will contact me to remind me of this appointment.

I have read and fully understand this consent.

Visit Our Locations

His Choice Health is a growing network of clinics staffed by physicians motivated to provide high quality health care focused on men’s reproductive health.  We specialize in offering minimally invasive vasectomy and vasectomy reversal surgery. 

Raleigh, NC

Services Offered:
  • No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy
  • Sedation Vasectomy
  • Vasectomy Reversal Surgery
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Durham, NC

  • 727 Eastowne Drive , Suite # 200A, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
  • (919) 756-8713
Services Offered:
  • No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy
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Charlotte, NC

Services Offered:
  • No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy
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