How Will a Vasectomy Affect my Sex Life?

When to Return to Sex

A vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of birth control. However for the first 3 or 4 months after surgery there may still be traces of semen found in your sperm. This equates to about 30 ejaculations to remove the sperm. This is because the tubes need time to clear out the semen. This is an important time to use other methods of contraception as it is also the most likely time for a pregnancy to occur following this surgery. It is important to be careful afterwards and wait until the results of at least two semen tests show negative results. Never assume that you are sterile until a doctor tells you that you are.

In terms of when you can have sex again with protection, surgeons will usually advise a week but this is entirely up to you, as long as you are comfortable and confident that you have healed properly.


Naturally, you will be considering whether having a vasectomy will have an impact on your sex life or sexual performance. A vasectomy is used only to stop semen entering the sperm and causing fertility. It is in no way connected to your hormones, sperm production or ability to ejaculate. Your sperm will look no different because semen is made up of only about 5% sperm. This surgery should have no effect whatsoever on your sex life except to reduce the worry of a pregnancy occurring. The majority of couples actually say that a vasectomy has improved their sex lives.

If you do experience a negative change in your sex life this may be due to a psychological rather than a physical problem. Finding out you are infertile can be traumatic anyway but it might be that you did not fully realise how this would affect you until you have gone through with it. Even though you should be aware of the consequences of this type of surgery, there have been reports of some men feeling less masculine and decreasing in confidence and self-esteem. There have also been reports of feelings of depression, anger and regret as a result. This can affect your relationship although is usually easily avoidable by pursuing counselling before surgery. This may be a good idea so that you can come to terms with the results of the surgery mentally, before it has happened.

It is important that you are aware of the purpose of a vasectomy and what it can offer. A vasectomy in no way protects against sexually transmitted diseases or infections. To ensure protection from this, you must employ the use of a condom. The majority of people who receive a vasectomy are in long term relationships however if this surgery is only being considered on the basis of not having to wear condoms again, you may need to reconsider your options.

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