Stop Believing These 7 Vasectomy Myths

When it comes to vasectomy, the idea of “getting snipped” or “becoming infertile” often makes men hesitant due to a handful of persistent myths. Whether it’s fear of the anticipated pain, concerns about future sexual performance, or misconceptions about long-term health risks, many men shy away from this safe and effective procedure.

But at Pacific Vasectomy Clinic, we’re on a mission to help remove the societal stigma of vasectomies and replace fear with facts.

FACT: A vasectomy is a quick, easy, and non-invasive procedure with minimal downtime. It has no impact on your sex drive, performance, libido, or masculinity.

Despite these things being proven facts, many people still believe otherwise – whether it’s what someone told them, in an article they read, or just something they concluded on their own accord. So, let’s set the record straight and address the seven biggest vasectomy myths people have and get down to the actual truth.

The truth is, a vasectomy is one of the least invasive surgical procedures available. Modern techniques—like the no-scalpel method used here at Pacific Vasectomy Clinic—don’t even require stitches or traditional incisions.

During the procedure, a small opening is made in the skin to access the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm). The No Scalpel Vasectomy technique uses a pressured device to administer local anesthesia without the use of needles. Instead of incisions, a small puncture is made in the scrotal skin, which heals naturally within a few days—no stitches required!

The process typically lasts 20-25 minutes, and patients go home right after. Recovery involves minimal downtime, with most men needing complete rest for only 48 hours. Men can return to light activities like walking within a few days, and return to normal activities like working out and sexual intercourse within a week.

This is far from the “major operation” or invasive surgery many men imagine.

The very idea of surgery in such a sensitive area can make any man nervous or scared. But rest assured—vasectomies, especially when performed by skilled professionals like our team here at Pacific Vasectomy Clinic, are virtually pain-free.

Before your procedure, your provider will use a pressurized device to deliver local anesthetic to completely numb the area. This will feel like a rubber band snap. Then, during the procedure, most men report feeling only slight pressure or tugging. The anesthetic numbs the area well, so you should not be in pain.

After the procedure, you might experience mild soreness or aching in the scrotum, comparable to the feeling after a light groin injury, like being knocked into during sports. Over-the-counter pain relievers, ice packs, and supportive underwear are usually enough to manage the discomfort.

If you’ve been dreading the idea of unbearable pain, you can take that fear off the table.

One of the most common misconceptions about vasectomy is that it will ruin your sex life. The reality? A vasectomy does not diminish sexual pleasure, performance, or desire. Your libido, orgasms, genital sensation, and ability to achieve an erection will remain completely intact.

During sexual activity or masturbation, you’ll still experience orgasms and ejaculate as usual, with no noticeable change in semen volume. The only difference is that your semen will no longer contain sperm, as the sperm is naturally reabsorbed by your body. For many couples, sex becomes even more fulfilling without the anxiety of an unplanned pregnancy. To learn more about sex after a vasectomy, visit here.

Many people think that getting a vasectomy lowers their testosterone levels and makes them “less of a man.” However, we’re here to tell you that your testosterone levels will remain completely unaffected by a vasectomy. Here’s why.

A vasectomy involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens to prevent sperm from reaching semen—going nowhere near the testicles. Testosterone production occurs in the testicles, specifically in the Leydig cells, and is independent of the vas deferens. Your body will continue to produce testosterone at its normal levels, maintaining your energy, mood, and sex drive.

The only thing a vasectomy impacts is sperm transportation—not hormone production.

This is one of the most common myths people have about vasectomies. They think, well, no sperm means nothing to come out when I ejaculate (or “cums”). That is the furthest thing from the truth. After a vasectomy, you’ll continue to ejaculate normally (look, feel, function)—the only difference is that your semen won’t contain sperm.

This myth stems from confusion about the role sperm plays in semen. Sperm only makes up a tiny fraction of ejaculate volume – anywhere between 1%- 5%. The vast majority is seminal and prostate fluid produced by other glands. For all intents and purposes, your climax will feel exactly the same as it did before your procedure.

Let’s be clear: there is no scientific evidence linking vasectomy to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

This myth likely originated from a small, now-discredited study conducted decades ago. Since then, extensive research—including studies from the American Cancer Society and National Institutes of Health—has found no connection between the two.

A vasectomy does not alter anything related to prostate health, so you can put this myth firmly to rest.

While vasectomy is designed to be a permanent form of birth control, the procedure is reversible in some cases.

A skilled surgeon can perform a vasectomy reversal to reconnect the vas deferens, allowing sperm to once again mix with semen. However, it’s important to note that the success of a reversal depends on factors such as the time elapsed since the vasectomy and the method originally used. Reversals done within 10 years have the best outcomes.

But it’s nice to have peace of mind that if your life situation changes or you simply have a change of heart about fatherhood, there is still hope.

So there you have it – a vasectomy is not going to be painful, invasive, or cause you to be out of commission for weeks. It’s not going to affect your sex drive, performance or libido. It is not going to cause cancer, and if you change your mind about kids, yes, you can try to reverse it.

Still feeling uneasy about “getting snipped”? That’s understandable. It’s a big life decision. But hopefully, it’s not due to fear mongering or misinformation.

Again, just to restate FACT: A vasectomy is a non-invasive, quick, low-risk, and highly effective method of birth control.

If you have any more questions or want to learn more about the procedure, just give Pacific Vasectomy a call today. Our Board-Certified Physicians, Dr. Amit Grover and Dr. Adriana Nicole Rosales, are here to answer your questions and help you decide if this procedure is right for you.