Risks & Complications

• The most common complications are associated with infection or bleeding occurring in 1-3%.

• Development of a sperm granuloma. This is a hard and sometimes painful lump about the size of a pea that forms as a result of sperm leakage at the vasectomy site. It occurs in 3-5% of vasectomies.

• Congestion of sperm resulting in painful testes. This usually resolves within days or weeks after a vasectomy. It is rare to have persistent testicular pain.

• Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis. This is the larger tube connected to the vas deferens.  Look at anatomy diagram. This is usually treated with antibiotics.

• Recanalization - the two divided vas deferens ends finding their way back together. This has been reported as less than 1 in 2000 men undergoing vasectomy.

• Development of antibodies-these can be  produced by the body in response to the absorbed sperm. These antibodies can possibly affect sperm function such as sperm counts and/or motility. This sometimes can affect fertility after performing a vasectomy reversal.