Possible Risks and Complications

There are no life-threatening complications associated with NSV (No-Scalpel Vasectomies). The minor complications that can arise are generally short-lived and resolve with ice, rest, anti-inflammatories, and time. Long term safety with NSV is considered excellent, although all of the following are possible:

Mild discomfort: Some men report a mild aching sensation to the scrotum for a few hours to a few days after the procedure.

Mild bleeding into the scrotum (1/400): May form a small tender swelling for a few days.

Scrotal hematoma (1/1000): A major bleed into the scrotum causing a grapefruit size tender scrotum which may take months to heal.

Infection (1/500): May present as redness and tenderness at the healing site opening or non specific tenderness within the scrotum, which may require oral antibiotics. (More serious infection is possible i.e. abscess formation that may require intravenous antibiotics 1/1000).

Epididymitis (1/100): Tender swelling of the epididymis, the tube connecting the vas deferens and the testes.

Sperm granuloma (1/500): A small, potentially uncomfortable, bead-like structure made of leaked sperm that may develop at the site where the tube was cut and blocked.

Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (1/1000): A rare complication of a persisting dull ache in the testicle where the inflammation does not settle down. It may resolve on its own or may need another surgical procedure.

Failure (less than 1/1000): Because a doctor has inadequately blocked one or both tubes, or because one or both tubes have rejoined.

Do's and Don'ts Before and After a Vasectomy >>