Is Epididymitis Common After a Vasectomy?

I ran into Ryan the other day, just after he'd had a vasectomy. He was crouched beside a bench in our neighborhood, looking miserable. Only a few days after the procedure, he'd already come down with epididymitis, and his scrotum felt heavy and sore. “Did the surgery mess me up?” he asked, gripping his cigarette so hard his hand was shaking, full of regret.

Ryan's fluster is typical. Anyone who encounters "epididymitis" after "vasectomy" will beat a drum in his heart. Is there a necessary connection between these two situations? 

Next, I will talk to you about whether it is easy to cause epididymitis after vasectomy and how to deal with it.

In fact, the vasectomy itself is not the cause of epididymitis, but there is a possibility of association.

The Relationship Between Vas Deferens, Epididymis, and Surgery 

Simply put, the vas deferens and epididymis are spermatozoon "carry a line" and "storehouse": The spermatozoon that the spermary produces is put into the epididymis first. The epididymis can secrete material to help the spermatozoon enhance vitality and wait when needed to be carried through the vas deferens again.

Vasectomy is to cut off or clip the "transportation line" of the vas deferens so that sperm can not be discharged to achieve contraception. However, the "warehouse" of the epididymis and testicular function is not affected, and the sperm produced will be slowly absorbed by the body, usually without problems.

But the epididymis may still be invaded by bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Vasectomy only cuts off the transport channel and does not add a "shield" to the epididymis, so the risk of infection does not disappear because of the operation.

Why Does Epididymitis Occur after Vasectomy? 

Ryan blamed the inflammation on the vasectomy, but he had to look at it objectively. Most of the time, epididymitis is not directly related to vasectomy, but there are very few special cases.

Most common causes: 

Bacteria are the major factor: there are bacteria in the male urethra if the cleaning is not in place after vasectomy. For example, if the toilet is not wiped clean and the underwear is not changed, the bacteria may climb up the urethra and get into the epididymis to cause infection. 

Especially when the wound does not heal well after an operation, the body's resistance is weak, and bacteria are more likely to invade and cause epididymitis.

Sitting for a long time and holding back urine: Now, many people sit at work for most of the day, and they still collapse on the sofa to brush their mobile phones after work. This will make the perineal blood circulation worse, and the "defense" of the epididymis will also be reduced. 

Some people hold their urine hard in meetings and while driving, and the bacteria in the urine are more likely to flow back, greatly increasing the risk of infection. 

Ryan is a typical example; he did not rest well after surgery and was sedentary in the office every day, resulting in epididymitis. 

Details: Taking a bath, going to the swimming pool, or having a restorative life without waiting for the wound to heal after surgery may allow bacteria to contact the wound or urethra, causing epididymitis.

Uncommon causes: special circumstances related to surgery 

"Uncommon" means that the vast majority of people will not encounter, without excessive panic, the following two main situations:

Operative problems: If the operation is not thoroughly disinfected and the operation is rough, it will cause serious tissue damage, which may lead to postoperative infection. But now the regular hospital process is standardized, and this situation is very rare.

Sperm granuloma effects: a small number of people will form a "granuloma" at the stump of the vas deferens after surgery, which is the body's reaction to residual sperm, usually harmless, but very few will cause local inflammation and affect the epididymis.

Note: Unligated men may also suffer from epididymitis, cold virus infection, urethritis spread, scrotal trauma, and so on. Therefore, we can not rely on ligation as soon as we get inflammation, and doctors need to identify the cause.

How to Handle Epididymitis Caused by Vasectomy 

Ryan delayed reporting his illness for two days because he was "embarrassed to say." In fact, with early detection and early treatment, recovery is quick. According to the severity of the disease, treatment methods are different:

Mild inflammation: 

If there is only slight swelling and pain, no fever, and no obvious epididymal swelling, the following points can be done well: 

Bed rest: Don't force yourself to work. Use a towel roll to raise the scrotum when lying down, which can reduce swelling and pain. Ryan's personal experience is that it is more effective than taking medicine. 

Cold compresses to relieve discomfort: Within 48 hours of morbidity, apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the epididymis for 15-20 minutes each time, 3-4 times a day, to contract blood vessels and reduce inflammation. Be careful not to stick it directly to the skin to avoid frostbite.

Standard medication to control inflammation: In addition to oral cefixime, amoxicillin, and other antibiotics to control bacterial infection according to medical supervision, you can also take the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill developed by Dr. Li Clinic under the guidance of a doctor.

This kind of Chinese patent medicine is commonly used in clinics, where it can play the role of clearing heat and detoxifying, acting as a diuretic, and treating stranguria. It can help relieve the discomfort of scrotal swelling and pain, and it can be used with antibiotics to regulate inflammation more comprehensively.

Note: No matter what kind of medicine must be taken according to the dosage, a sufficient course of treatment must be followed; do not stop the drug, otherwise the inflammation is easy to repeat.

Serious condition: seek medical advice in time 

Immediate medical attention is required for these conditions: swelling of the epididymis, just like walnuts; unbearable pain; fever exceeding 101.3℉; painful urination; and difficulty urinating. At this time, intravenous antibiotics may be needed, and in severe cases, surgical incision and drainage of inflammatory exudate may be needed to accelerate recovery.

Do These Things Well after Vasectomy 

To prevent epididymitis and promote postoperative recovery, the key is to adjust living habits, which are small things that can be done in daily life:

Pay attention to hygiene: Take a shower within one week after the operation, dry the perineum and keep it dry; change the pure cotton loose underwear every day, and do not wear tight pants that rub the wound and epididymis. 

Moderate exercise: Avoid sitting for a long time, cycling, and strenuous exercise for half a month after the operation; get up and move for 5 minutes every hour at work to promote the blood circulation of the perineum. 

Dietary supplement: eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins; take in more eggs, milk, fish, and other high-quality protein to help wound repair and enhance resistance; and avoid spicy food and alcohol to prevent stimulating inflammation. 

Follow the medical supervision for reexamination: reexamine as required, let the doctor assess the recovery of the wound, communicate in time if there is any discomfort, and do not use drugs by yourself. 

Conclusion 

Vasectomy is mature and reliable, but it is not without risks. If a vasectomy causes epididymitis, timely medical treatment is needed. After Ryan's inflammation was controlled, he regretted that he had not understood this knowledge earlier and had not done a good job of postoperative care.

Whether you plan to have a vasectomy or have finished it, it is important to know more about common sense and adjust your living habits. If you have friends around you who are confused, you might as well share this content.