Erectile Dysfunction After a Vasectomy: Here's What to Know

February 22, 2023

Getting a vasectomy is a weighty decision with lasting effects. It’s common knowledge that vasectomies prevent pregnancy, but does this procedure cause erectile dysfunction?

Keep reading to learn more about vasectomies and if (or how) a vasectomy might affect your sex life.

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Understanding Vasectomies and Erectile Dysfunction

• Vasectomies very rarely lead to erectile dysfunction, as the two systems that create erections and create seminal fluid that causes pregnancies are unrelated.

• E.D. after a vasectomy could be related to mental health conditions or anxiety from the procedure, in which case therapy or an E.D. medication may be able to help.

• Vasectomies are fast, simple, safe, and effective as a form of birth control for most men who get one. Rare complications occur in less than one percent of men who get a vasectomy.

What Is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a medical procedure.) that prevents sperm from mixing with seminal fluid in your body. When a man orgasms and ejaculates during intercourse, he expels seminal fluid, a mix of sperm and other fluids that helps transport sperm into the vagina and fertilize the eggs of the female, potentially resulting in pregnancy. 

After a vasectomy procedure, seminal fluid is still expelled during ejaculation, but it no longer contains sperm. Without sperm, it’s not possible for a woman to become pregnant. 

For that reason, a vasectomy is a highly effective form of male birth control. 

Technically, it’s still possible for sperm to cross into seminal fluid after a vasectomy, but the odds are less than 0.01 percent. Outside of total abstinence, a vasectomy is one of the most successful options for preventing pregnancy.  

It’s estimated that roughly 50 million men have had a vasectomy in the U.S., and nearly 500,000 guys undergo the procedure every year.   

How Is a Vasectomy Performed?

A vasectomy is a simple operation that rarely requires hospitalization or observation. For most men, a vasectomy is a fast outpatient procedure.

Vasectomies are typically performed by a urologist, a physician that specializes in the kidneys, bladder, adrenal glands, urethra, and reproductive organs. 

There are two different types of vasectomies, and both are typically performed while the patient is awake with local anesthesia to numb the scrotum. 

• Incision vasectomy: In this more conventional vasectomy procedure, the surgeon makes one or two cuts in the scrotum in order to reach the vas deferens tubes, which carry sperm from the testes to the urinary tract. The surgeon removes a tiny section of these tubes, then, the ends are cauterized and sealed with stitches or glue. This process is done to both vas deferens, one coming from each testicle. Afterward, the incisions in the scrotum will be glued or stitched and closed.

• No-scalpel vasectomy: Instead of using a scalpel to create an incision, a no-scalpel vasectomy involves a small puncture on both sides of the scrotum. The vas deferens will be pulled through the hole, cut, cauterized, and returned back to the scrotum. This process is done to both testicles. Since the puncture to the scrotum is so small, there are generally no stitches required.

Does a Vasectomy Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Technically, it is possible for a vasectomy to cause erectile dysfunction, but it’s a very rare occurrence.

When you experience sexual stimulation, your body sends chemical messages to dilate your blood vessels and send more blood flow to the penis. At the same time, this process reduces the amount of blood flowing out of the penis, producing an erection. 

The scrotum, testicles, and vas deferens (the tubes that are severed in a vasectomy) do not play a role in the erection process. In other words, the physical changes made during the procedure should not cause erectile issues of any kind.

Still, it is possible (though unlikely) for the psychological aspects of undergoing a vasectomy to affect erectile function. Some men might feel stress or anxiety about the procedure or may feel less “manly” after a vasectomy is performed. These issues could affect sexual performance. 

What If You Experience Erectile Dysfunction After a Vasectomy? 

Unless your vasectomy has triggered mental health issues, E.D. symptoms are likely unrelated to your vasectomy.

In most cases, erectile dysfunction is the symptom of another health problem. E.D. is often connected to underlying medical conditions involving the cardiovascular or nervous systems. Simply put, anything that can interrupt the erection process is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. 

 Fortunately, you can treat E.D. in several different ways.

What Are The Treatments For Erectile Dysfunction?

When E.D. happens, guys have a variety of safe and effective options for treatment and getting their sex lives back on track.

PDE5 Inhibitors

These oral medications are the most popular and effective E.D. treatments. PDE5 inhibitors include sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), and vardenafil (Levitra®).

Once taken, these on-demand pills block the function of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme within the walls of your blood vessels. This increases the amount of blood flowing into your penis and helps to create an erection firm enough for sex. They’re safe and effective for the vast majority of men who try them.

While PDE5 inhibitors are generally safe, potential side effects include headache, indigestion, flushing, congestion, abdominal cramps, and back pain. PDE5 inhibitors also can have negative interactions with certain medications, particularly those used to treat high blood pressure and angina.

It’s important to note that PDE5 inhibitors require a prescription. 

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can help address health conditions linked to E.D. and decrease symptoms of erectile dysfunction to improve wellbeing. Effective changes to your lifestyle can include:

• Eating a healthier diet. Foods that are high in sodium, sugar, and fat can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity — known risk factors for ED.  Replace these foods with vegetables and other healthy options

• Getting more exercise. Improve your cardiovascular and circulatory health just by exercising for 160 minutes a week. This can improve blood flow and promote stronger erections.

• Quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol. Smoking constricts your blood vessels and is the leading cause.) of erectile dysfunction in men under 40. Drinking to excess can also have a negative impact on your central nervous system, disrupting the chemical messages needed to achieve an erection. 

Rex MD’s doctors frequently report that as patients improve their general health with an exercise routine and better diet, they report improved erections. This is particularly common among men who treat chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. 

Stronger erections are a great side effect of getting healthier!

The Takeaway

If you’re experiencing E.D. after a vasectomy, this noninvasive surgery is most likely not the cause. Your E.D. is likely a result of an underlying medical condition. 

Taking prescription E.D. medications or making lifestyle changes should help to reduce the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Prescription E.D. medications are another great option for most guys.