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Review
. 2021 Jul;39(3):406-418.
doi: 10.5534/wjmh.200073. Epub 2020 Jul 30.

Review of Vasectomy Complications and Safety Concerns

Fang Yang  1 , Junjun Li  2 , Liang Dong  2 , Kun Tan  2 , Xiaopeng Huang  1 , Peihai Zhang  1 , Xiaozhang Liu  2 , Degui Chang  1 , Xujun Yu  3
Affiliations
Review

Review of Vasectomy Complications and Safety Concerns

Fang Yang et al. World J Mens Health. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Vasectomy is a simple, safe, effective, and economical method used worldwide for long-term male contraception. As a surgical operation, it has short-term and long-term complications such as hematoma formation, infection, sterilization failure, sperm granulomas, short-term postoperative pain (nodal pain, scrotal pain, and ejaculation pain), and chronic pain syndrome. Whether it increases the risk of autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, testicular cancer, or prostate cancer is still controversial. Changes in plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone after vasectomy have also been studied, as well as the relation between vasectomy and sexual function. Sperm quality decreases very slowly after vasectomy, and vasovasostomy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection could help a couple achieve a pregnancy if they change their minds at any point. We include a follow-up strategy and suggestions for follow-up care at the end of this review.

Keywords: Complications; Contraception; Safety; Vasectomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. The main surgical techniques of vasectomy. NSV: no-scalpel vasectomy, FI: fascial interposition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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