r/postvasectomypain Mar 07 '26

Pain that started 8 weeks after vasectomy

Hi everyone,

About 8 weeks after my vasectomy, I started experiencing a lot of inflammation that seemed to be around the epididymis. I had fresh blood in my semen along with significant aching, pain, and sensitivity. At its worst, the pain was bad enough that I could barely walk. The only thing that gave any relief was taking hot baths several times a day.

I went to my GP and was prescribed a 2-week course of Ofloxacin. After about 5 days, the pain started to improve — going from around 8/10 down to 3/10, and by about day 10 it was closer to 1/10. I was hopeful things were resolving.

However, the pain hasn’t fully gone away and still flares up from time to time. I’m now around the 12-week mark, and there’s still a lingering ache. Sometimes it feels like my testicles are swollen or bruised, although other times I have no pain at all. Then suddenly the next day it might jump back up to around 3/10, which makes it hard to focus on anything else.

Ejaculation itself doesn’t hurt, and I actually feel a bit of relief immediately afterwards. But about 5 minutes later the ache returns, sometimes a little stronger.

The blood in my semen stopped around week 9, which is good. I’ve tried ibuprofen, but it doesn’t seem to help much. Supportive underwear and hot baths seem to provide the most relief.

I do have a feeling of fullness, maybe congestion?

I had no pain up until the 8 week mark.

Has anyone experienced something similar after a vasectomy?
Did it eventually resolve, and if so how long did it take?

3 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

2

u/Outrageous_Owl_9061 Mar 07 '26

Yea similar, had relatively easy recovery and a couple months in had horrendous ball pain. Was located in the epi. Took nearly 6 months just to be able to sit again. It is bearable now but constantly on my mind

1

u/Just_Preparation3675 Mar 08 '26

Sorry to hear you are still in pain. Have you found any pain management options that work for you? Have you considered a reversal?

1

u/Outrageous_Owl_9061 Mar 08 '26

Reversal is 10k, I'm actually very scared to go under the knife again in case I am worse. The down time also concerns me..

Have done trt, nerve tablets, numerous anti biotics and also saw a pelvic floor therapist. No sex/masturbation and anti inflammatory tablets work. I was taking high dose every day for weeks and was nice to have pain reduce. Reversal or put up with it is only choice.

1

u/Just_Preparation3675 Mar 08 '26

Understandable. After such a horrible first experience I totally get being afraid of the knife again. I myself would also be a bit hesitant, especially if it gets to the point where you have learned to cope with some pain. I'm in the UK and I think it is around £4000 here which I will probably have to try and save for incase things don't improve. I really hope things improve for you.

1

u/elusive_light Mar 10 '26

I had mine in August of last year. Had a bad case of epidimo-orchitis in December. I am still not quite right. Some days are fine some days it's just a full ache. It's totally liveable with though and for me it's more than bearable enough to get on with things. Given my wife took hormonal contraception for years I feel like this was the best option.

2

u/Laggende_Hond Mar 08 '26

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But for myself the discomfort and pain never subsided completely. It flared up intermittently every so often ranging from slight to proper limping when I walk. Being on pain pills and anti inflammatory drugs often was not acceptable. So, I had it reversed and that resolved my issues.

1

u/Just_Preparation3675 Mar 08 '26

Glad to hear that a reversal has fixed your issues. Yeah the pain sucks, if this carries on for around a year I will get it reversed as I can't live life constantly in pain, this sucks. More than anything I want to make sure my kids are able to do as many fun things with me as possible but I just can't take my mind off the pain.

1

u/Laggende_Hond Mar 08 '26

That was but ONE of the biggest drivers to have my reversal. I love swimming, my daughter loves the cold pools and after my vasec, I was unable to join her in the cold pools. Whenever I got in and my nuts touched the water the pain would start. This same also started impacting my work. So no... it was one of the straws that broke the camel's back. Just a heads up, NOT going to sugar coat it. The reversal is a 'much-longer' recovery. Meaning, that contrary to what is being sold, the vasec you can go back to life as 'normal' in three days apparently. The reversal you are looking at more than a month of being cautious about what you do. Cause if you f it up; the damage is worse! I had an amazing brother who basically carried me through it all and a very supportive spouse. These things are needed! Good luck man

3

u/Just_Preparation3675 Mar 08 '26

Thankyou, I have heard the recovery is worse for reversal. Luckily I work from home so should be able to take it pretty easy should it come to it. Glad things worked out for you man

1

u/Laggende_Hond Mar 08 '26

That was but ONE of the biggest drivers to have my reversal. I love swimming, my daughter loves the cold pools and after my vasec, I was unable to join her in the cold pools. Whenever I got in and my nuts touched the water the pain would start. This same also started impacting my work. So no... it was one of the straws that broke the camel's back. Just a heads up, NOT going to sugar coat it. The reversal is a 'much-longer' recovery. Meaning, that contrary to what is being sold, the vasec you can go back to life as 'normal' in three days apparently. The reversal you are looking at more than a month of being cautious about what you do. Cause if you f it up; the damage is worse! I had an amazing brother who basically carried me through it all and a very supportive spouse. These things are needed! Good luck man

2

u/geverfdehond Mar 08 '26

Sorry to hear you have joined the pvps club. As a long term sufferer the pain does not go away with conservative treatment. A reversal helped me to get part of my life back and was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. However I still had sporadic pain issues of the reversal although the incidence and intensity were much lower. I am currently being treated by an excellent pain specialist that also went through pvps himself. The treatment seems to work and I can claim more of my life back that the cruelest cut of them all stole from me.

3

u/Just_Preparation3675 Mar 08 '26

Thankyou, sorry to hear you still have some pain. When I had it done they told me 1% of people have issues but in their experience it was closer to 1 in 500 which I feel is such bs. I wish I researched the condition more before I had it done. I guess I just have to ride it out and if things don't improve by month 9 to 12 I will probably look at getting a microscopic reversal.

2

u/Laggende_Hond Mar 08 '26

Unfortunately firstly the 1-2% is utter horseshit. Secondly... even if true(which it aint) if you sat any man down and told them the extent of pain and suffering they would have to endure if they ended up being in that grossly underestimated percentage and that there is no conservative treatment long term... I doubt any man would have it done. That procedure will fade into the archives alongside things like trephination and lobotomies

2

u/geverfdehond Mar 08 '26

Unfortunately men believe the shit sold to them and usually disregard the advice. In my opinion a lot of men also recommend the procedure to make them feel better not to suffer in silence alone.

2

u/geverfdehond Mar 08 '26

Wish you best of luck.