Mumsnet - On Vasectomy

Hi, my Dh (dear husband)  had the snip a couple of years ago, and he found it to be a very traumatic experience. Being surrounded by 3 female nurses starkers whist the surgeon injected and cut into his 'crown jewels' left him very badly rattled - he actually broke down in tears on more than one occasion afterwards and I had to do my best to comfort him through what felt like a menopause to him.

In addition he had on-going discomfort for up to a year, and doesn't seem as interested in sex. All in all, it seems to have knocked the stuffing out of him a bit and altered his self-esteem. I can't really explain it, but whilst the operation was a success - (6 months for the all-clear)- it has not brought us closer together at all.

In addition to this, what he has read subsequently has left him feeling quite angry and deceived about the long-term complications of the procedure from a doubling in the risk of kidney stones to a fear of an increased risk of developing prostate cancer (as shown in many studies apparently).

When he finally spoke to the hospital about his discomfort, they eventually admitted that studies show from 10-30% go on to develop chronic discomfort.

He was told also by the NHS hospital which carried out the procedure that 10% of men pass out during the procedure from something called vaso-vagal shock - but the medical profession desn't like to mention it in case 'it puts some men off'.

I have come around to his thinking that there is a lot more to 'the snip' than you are led to believe. I hope this helps, even though I appreciate it isn't totally reassuring, it is better to be pre-warned and get as much info as you can. Also, I wish I had been better equipped to support DH afterwards.

More here .....http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/dadsnet/897314-Vasectomy