If you’re considering getting a vasectomy, you may also be wondering if the procedure might have a negative impact on your sex life. This is completely understandable, given the area of the body that’s being operated on. We’ll make sure to cover the essentials behind what’s involved in a vasectomy, potential complications and whether sex drive and sexual function are impacted.
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What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a surgical form of male contraception that involves closing off the tubes (called the vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testes into the ejaculatory ducts. Patients can ejaculate just like before the procedure, with the main difference being that semen doesn’t contain any sperm that could cause a pregnancy. The body continues to make sperm, but since it has nowhere to go, the cells get reabsorbed after they die.
Most vasectomies are performed while patients are awake and involve using local anesthetic to help numb the area, and complication rates are usually low, ranging from 1% to 2% (Stormont and Deibert, 2023). Possible complications include infection, bruising, testicular pain and/or sensitivity and sperm granulomas (small lumps in the groin that can form when sperm leaks from the vas deferens after a vasectomy (Yang et al., 2020). Erectile dysfunction is not considered a common complication of vasectomies.
Does a vasectomy cause erectile dysfunction?
No, vasectomies are not considered a cause of erectile dysfunction. A vasectomy is an elective surgical procedure performed to help prevent pregnancy whereas erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of other health conditions (notably, possible vascular disease). However, we understand why patients are worried about a possible link. In fact, one of the most common reasons men give for choosing not to have a vasectomy is the fear of the impact it could have on sexual function (Engl et al., 2017).
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the recurring or permanent inability to have or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
There are a wide variety of potential causes of ED, including hormone imbalances and health conditions that affect the nerves or blood circulation. Obesity, smoking, recreational drug use, certain prescription medications and poor sleep are other common medical factors that can contribute to ED. It’s also important to acknowledge the many possible psychological contributors to ED, including worries about sexual performance, low confidence, depression or anxiety. All these concerns are valid, and we encourage reaching out to a mental health professional or counsellor for help if any of these may be affecting your ability to perform.
In contrast, vasectomies involve a specific part of the body, the vas deferens, which is not involved in creating or maintaining an erection. Because of this, men who have had a vasectomy are usually able to get and maintain an erection and have sex like they did before their procedure. While ED can occur in people who have had a vasectomy, there isn’t enough data to support a correlation between the two.
Can a vasectomy cause ED later in life?
There’s no correlation between the timing of a vasectomy and the risk of ED. However, as men age, health issues could develop that may contribute to ED. For example, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which doesn’t directly cause ED, has been associated with impaired sexual function (Glina and Glina, 2013). This could be because men with BPH may be worried about other symptoms of BPH like incontinence (difficulty controlling urination) could negatively affect sexual performance. Other conditions like diabetes or heart disease, or even smoking, may have a more direct impact on a man’s risk of ED, by gradually decreasing blood flow to parts of the body, including the penis.
Regardless of whether you’ve had a vasectomy, we encourage men experiencing ED to talk to their doctors about it because it can be an important factor in your risk for other potentially serious health conditions.
Can I take Viagra (sildenafil) after a vasectomy?
Yes, you can take Viagra (also known as sildenafil) after having a vasectomy. Patients will need to have their semen tested for up to three months after having the procedure to confirm whether it's been successful. You can have sex sooner than that, but it’s important to abstain from very vigorous sexual activity until the surgical site has healed, and to use an additional form of birth control (such as a condom) until the absence of sperm is confirmed.
Do men lose their sex drive after a vasectomy?
Actually, the opposite may be true. Based on available research, vasectomies seem to improve sex drive (libido), frequency of sex and sexual satisfaction. In one study of 95 men who had undergone vasectomies, 37.9% of questionnaire respondents stated that their sexual life had improved after the procedure and that they felt their sex lives were “more spontaneous” and “relaxed” (Engl et al., 2017). The reasons given by participants included feeling “freer” because they didn’t have to use a condom, and their partners could forego taking hormonal contraception.
Another study used a questionnaire called the IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function) to measure the impact of having a vasectomy on erectile function. The study showed that vasectomized men reported less erectile dysfunction, had higher sexual satisfaction and were more sexually active. In fact, analysis of data showed that having a vasectomy was associated with a decreased risk of developing ED, taking into consideration other clinical and lifestyle factors (Jahnen et al., 2024).
Does a vasectomy affect testosterone?
No, vasectomies don’t affect hormone levels. In fact, sperm production, which is regulated by testosterone, continues even after a vasectomy. Since the sperm have nowhere to go, the cells simply get reabsorbed when they die.
Early animal studies have shown temporary decreases in testosterone (possible due to an increase in inflammatory markers right after having a vasectomy). Testosterone levels in men with low testosterone or who are on testosterone replacement, are not affected by a vasectomy.
Takeaway: vasectomies and erectile dysfunction
A vasectomy is a highly effective form of male contraception that under normal circumstances, doesn’t cause erectile dysfunction. A vasectomy involves cutting and tying off parts of the male reproductive system called the vas deferens which contributes sperm to the semen or ejaculate. Erections are the highly coordinated result of the nervous system, blood vessels and penile tissues in response to physical and/or mental stimulation. Because vasectomies and erections involve different parts of the body, one doesn’t cause the other. In fact, clinical trials on men who have had vasectomies report having more satisfying and frequent sexual encounters and in at least one study, a lower risk of ED.
It’s unlikely that a vasectomy is responsible for ED, but if you’re experiencing sudden changes in sexual function, it’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional to identify and manage possible causes, whether they’re psychological or physiological. For patients interested in ED treatments, you can now start a consultation through XYON to be connected with a doctor who can help you learn about your options. It can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, but your health and happiness matter.
Citations:
Engl, T., Hallmen, S., Beecken, W. D., Rubenwolf, P., Gerharz, E. W., & Vallo, S. (2017). Impact of vasectomy on the sexual satisfaction of couples: experience from a specialized clinic. Central European Journal of Urology, 70(3), 275–279. https://doi.org/10.5173/ceju.2017.1294
Glina, S., & Glina, F. P. (2013). Pathogenic mechanisms linking benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction. Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 5(4), 211–218. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756287213488236
Jahnen, M., Rechberger, A., Meissner, V. H., Schiele, S., Schulwitz, H., Gschwend, J. E., & Herkommer, K. (2024). Associations of vasectomy with sexual dysfunctions and the sex life of middle-aged men. Andrology, 10.1111/andr.13804. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13804
Stormont G, Deibert CM. Vasectomy. [Updated 2023 Apr 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549904/
Yang, F., Li, J., Dong, L., Tan, K., Huang, X., Zhang, P., Liu, X., Chang, D., & Yu, X. (2021). Review of Vasectomy Complications and Safety Concerns. The World Journal of Men's Health, 39(3), 406–418. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.200073
