Post by Vincent Rogers
Vasectomy is a very popular form of permanent birth control, chosen by approximately 1 in six men. The operation entails cutting or sealing off the tubes (medically identified as the vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. It is carried out under local anaesthetic in an outpatient clinic and takes about 15 minutes, with out any need for an overnight hospital stay.
Most men expertise some soreness and bruising in the days which follow the procedure. This normally settles down following a week or so. Even so, some men develop pain for a longer period following a vasectomy, or pain which arises many years soon after having the process. Studies suggest around 15 per cent of men have post vasectomy pain, despite the fact that some suggest the figure could be as high as one in three. The severity of pain varies widely. Chronic testicular pain (CTP) is described as having constant or typical pain and discomfort, discomfort for at least a three month period sufficient to want a consultation with a physician.
Those affected report feeling pain or a dull ache in the the epididymides (the glandular tube the leading and side of every testicle). For other people, pain is related to specific activities such as sex or taking part in sport. Men report different degrees of pain - for some it is sporadic and is linked to certain activities whilst for other people, it is much more continuous and can become extremely debilitating.
The trigger of post vasectomy pain is not fully understood and is the subject of ongoing research. For some men, there could be far more than 1 causal factor. These incorporate testicular back pressure as sperm builds up but does not dissolve into the body, epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymides) scar tissue (fibrosis) and nerve damage. When pain in the epididymides is the main symptom, the cause of pain is likely to be over-full and inflamed epididymides.
If the pain is fairly mild, straightforward remedies can be helpful. These consist of heat or cold therapy, scrotal support such as tight fitting, supportive underwear and anti-inflammatory medication. For patients with far more severe pain, a vasectomy reversal can be extremely helpful. In one study, it was reported that 85 per cent of men who underwent vasectomy reversal in an attempt to relieve post-vasectomy pain syndrome became pain-totally free. An additional study discovered that 24 from a total of 32 men found relief following a vasectomy reversal. In addition to vasectomy reversal, if nerve entrapment is also an problem, it can be treated with surgery which is medically recognized as microsurgical cord denervation and was pioneered by American surgeon Larry Levine. The aim is to cut the nerve or disconnect the nerve from scar tissue, therefore preventing pain from being relayed. Reported outcomes from this procedure are very good, with one study showing over a twenty-four-month follow-up period, 70 per cent of patients showed complete cessation of pain and 20 per cent experienced partial relief from pain.
It is critical to note that vasectomy is widely regarded as a very good form of permanent contraception and for the majority of men, will not trigger lengthy term pain. Even so for those who do encounter post vasectomy pain, the condition can be really debilitating and men can have difficulty obtaining a diagnosis and effective treatment.
About the Author
Vincent Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. He recommends Birmingham Prostate Clinic who specialise in Prostate Cancer Treatments and Vasectomy Reversal .
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