Can a vasectomy cause ED?

A vasectomy is a simple surgery performed on men as a form of permanent birth control. While vasectomies are often considered a safe and effective method for preventing future pregnancies, those contemplating the procedure might be curious about potential side effects, specifically whether a vasectomy can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). 

So, what’s the deal? Can a vasectomy cause ED? Pain and swelling are the most common side effects of a vasectomy, so your sex life might slow down at least temporarily.  But what happens in the longer term? Of course, side effects can vary for different people and everyone’s individual experience is different, so what might be true for someone else may not be true for you.

Keep reading to learn about the surgery, whether a vasectomy can cause ED, and more.

As mentioned above, a vasectomy is a form of male birth control for men. It’s often considered permanent, but reversals are possible (though, not a guarantee). Vasectomies  are nearly 100% (yup, you read that right) effective at preventing pregnancy, with some research articles putting the success rate at 99.7% and others at 99.9%. Point being: A vasectomy can be a good option for people who are certain they do not want to have a child.

Generally, it’s a low-risk, minimally invasive surgical operation that involves sealing off or cutting the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. In order to do this, a surgeon typically has to make an incision in the scrotum using a scalpel. Another (less conventional) option is a no-scalpel vasectomy, wherein a pointed tool is used to puncture or create a small hole in the scrotum. 

No matter the point-of-entry technique, if you will, a vasectomy is typically an outpatient procedure that takes 30 minutes or less. The recovery time should also be pretty quick; most people can resume having sex after a week. At that time, however, a backup method of birth control should be used and should continue to be used until testing confirms that sperm is no longer present (usually three months post-op).  

So far, there isn’t any evidence indicating that a vasectomy can cause ED or negatively impact sexual function. Research suggests the opposite may be true, with numerous studies finding that erectile function and sexual satisfaction often improve in men following a vasectomy.

A vasectomy seems to be highly unlikely to cause ED because it doesn’t involve or impact any structures necessary for getting an erection. Quick refresher: When turned on, your brain sends arousal signals to the body through the spinal cord and nerves. Then a messenger called cGMP causes the muscles in your penis to relax, which allows blood to rush in. Meanwhile, the veins that drain the blood from the penis contract, preventing the blood from leaving and trapping it so you get hard. 

The only parts of the body involved in a vasectomy are your scrotum (for the incision) and the vas deferens—neither of which, as you can now clearly see, are involved in your ability to get a boner. 

Now, you might be thinking: does a vasectomy lower testosterone? After all, the vas deferens are connected to the testicles, the main hub for testosterone production in men. Research is conflicting on this and mostly limited to animal studies. But the general consensus seems to be that a vasectomy shouldn’t alter testosterone levels in a significant way, at least not long term, since the procedure only affects the tubes that transport sperm and does not affect the testicles.

Keep in mind, though, that your ability to get and maintain an erection can be just as much about the psychological as it is about the physical. And a vasectomy, like any surgical procedure, can potentially cause mental and emotional effects. Some studies show that a vasectomy can cause positive psychological changes, such as reduced stress around unwanted pregnancy and boosted sexual confidence. Other findings, however, indicate that the procedure can leave you feeling anxious or depressed, which are common causes of ED even in those who have not had a vasectomy. 

A vasectomy is generally considered a safe, low-risk operation. But, at the end of the day, it’s still a surgical procedure, meaning it inherently comes with risks.  

The most common side effects of a vasectomy tend to be mild and fairly short-lived. These include:

• Bruising, bleeding, or swelling

• Pain or discomfort 

• Infection at the incision site

• Sperm granulomas, which are small, non-cancerous lumps that may cause pain or swelling

• Mental health effects, such as those covered above

Though rare, more serious or long-term complications that could occur following a vasectomy are also possible and can include chronic pain, severe bruising, and more severe bacterial infections, as well as more serious damage to surrounding structures.

Initial pain, swelling, or bruising after a vasectomy usually can take a few days to a week to subside. But if you develop a fever, experience worsening pain, or notice signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care. 

One more time for the folks in the back: A vasectomy shouldn’t affect your ability to get an erection. But if it does, the first step is to consult a healthcare provider (and, remember, there’s nothing embarrassing about having difficulties down there!). Because vasectomies aren’t believed to be a common cause of ED, another underlying issue might be to blame for your symptoms and a healthcare provider can best help determine what’s going on. 

ED can be caused by many different factors, including health conditions that affect nerves or blood flow (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, and obesity), certain medications, smoking and alcohol use, and mental health challenges. Despite the range of reasons, though, experiencing sexual dysfunction can be distressing—and this can especially be true if you just had surgery (even if minor). 

But there are several effective treatment options out there, including prescription medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. For a simplified explanation of how they work, these drugs increase blood flow to the penis during arousal so you can get and maintain harder erections. Common PDE5 inhibitors for ED include:

• Viagra (sildenafil)

• Cialis (tadalafil)

• Levitra (vardenafil)

• Stendra (avanafil)

And for those who don’t like taking pills, you can still reap the rewards of PDE5 inhibitors through other formulations, such as Ro Sparks and Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies. The former is a sublingual treatment that contains both tadalafil and sildenafil (the active ingredients in Cialis and Viagra) and dissolves under your tongue, delivering fast-acting effects. The latter are fruit-flavored gummies, each of which features 7 mg of tadalafil and are designed to be taken daily so you’re always ready for game-time (read: sex). 

Certain lifestyle changes may also help address any sexual dysfunction you might be experiencing post-vasectomy, such as exercising regularly—just make sure you get the green light post-procedure first. Following a healthy diet and getting ample, good-quality sleep are two other habits that can alleviate ED. 

Even though a vasectomy is thought of as a permanent procedure, it can be reversed. The biggest reason why people seek out reversal? Life happens, plans change, and now they would like to start a family or have more children. In rare instances, a vasectomy reversal may be recommended for those experiencing chronic pain in the area following the procedure.

Because a reversal involves the same structures as in a vasectomy (the vas deferens) there shouldn’t be any impact on sexual function. Reversals are more complicated than a vasectomy, requiring specialized surgery to reattach the vas deferens. There isn’t any scientific evidence thus far to suggest that a vasectomy reversal can cause ED. It’s important to note that not all reversals are successful, plus they can be expensive. 

So, can a vasectomy cause ED? Most, if not all, of the science thus far points to “no,” But because research on the topic is lacking, ED post-vasectomy can’t be completely ruled out. If you do experience ED—or any of the aforementioned side effects—be sure to speak to a healthcare provider.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

July 13, 2024

Written by

Anna Brooks

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.