Cycling After Vasectomy – UPDATED 2021 – Risks of Cycling After Vasectomy

Vasectomy is a method of permanent contraception for men that have decided not to have any more children or other words completed their family. While a vasectomy is a straightforward procedure there are some things you should take into account when cycling after a vasectomy.

In this article, we go into detail about the vasectomy procedure and how it can affect your cycling.

Cycling After Vasectomy – What You Should Know?

A straightforward day procedure, a vasectomy involves separating or dividing the small tubes that carry sperm (vas deferens). These tubes are located in the scrotum and by separating these tubes blocks flow of sperm. This means the semen does not contain sperm when you ejaculate.

The vasectomy procedure often takes place on the same day as the consultation, with the procedure only taking roughly 15-30 minutes.

Most vasectomy procedures are performed with a local anaesthetic but sometimes intravenous sedation is used.

Cycling after vasectomy is not recommended as the groin area will have a slight ache that will usually last for 3-4 days. During this time it is recommended that ice packs and rest for the first few days are needed.

During this time such things as tight underwear can help to limit movement and ease any soreness.

While the soreness may last some days light physical activity can be resumed after 3-4 days. While any hard physical exercise should be avoided some light walking or your typical office work is fine.

The Risks of Cycling After Vasectomy

While a Vasectomy is performed using the Non-Scalpel Open-Ended Technique, it is classed as a safe and mostly pain free-free procedure.

Even though it is a relatively safe procedure the risks of cycling after a vasectomy is something you should think about.

Starting cycling too early after a vasectomy can have a sudden increase in internal blood pressure. This is usually caused by direct trauma. This means sitting on a saddle and riding across a rough road or hitting a pothole can break the seals the surgeon has made over the tiny vessels internally.

By breaking these seals the potentially bleeding could cause a rapid increase in the size of your scrotum.

How Long After Vasectomy Can I Exercise?

Cycling after vasectomy can often be started after a period of two weeks. Other sports such as weight lifting and so forth can also be performed after 3-4 weeks. While it is important that the more physically stressing the activity is the longer you should increase the recovery period.

Sports such as running should be delayed until the 3rd to 4th week of recovery but can be earlier if you use a jockstrap to help with some added support. But remember the quicker you try to get back to training the longer the recovery period may take.

Physical Activity After Vasectomy

Doctors recommend not to engage in any physically strenuous activities for at least 1 week after your procedure. Physical activity after a vasectomy includes carrying more than 10-15kg of weight, long periods of walking and standing, or cycling training and running.

If you play sports such as golf, tennis, swimming, and football you will need to plan to take a minimum of 2 weeks off training before returning to it.

Cycling after vasectomy as we discussed can be resumed within 2 weeks but it is recommended to start on a stationary bike. Then during the 3rd week, you can start heading out on the road, and in the 4th week, you can return to mountain biking.

Post Vasectomy Pain Cycling – A Complete Guide

While a minor operation, a vasectomy is still an operation and there is some pain related to this. This is broken down into 2 areas the cause post-vasectomy pain for cyclists.

Recovery Pain

As the healing starts to kick in, it is normal to feel local pain and inflammation. This pain usually occurs around the testicle or at the surgical site. During this time it is important as doctors encourage the process of inflammation and recommend staying away from any kind of anti-inflammatories the first two days.

The recovery pain can last from 1-3 weeks, but remember every male is different and the recovery time can vary greatly. during this period it is ok to take Ibuprofen as needed and if the pain is significant it is often preferred by doctors that you take it 7 days straight.

During this recovery time, it’s not uncommon for men to experience pain in the abdomen but it’s important to be patient as some men have taken up to 8 weeks to feel completely pain-free.

Post Pain

Not so common, but about 1% of men experience Granuloma pain. Granuloma pain is when there is inflammation around the vasectomy site. Men who experience this pain often feel a lump there that hurts when they touch it. This is caused by sperm that as either leaked out during surgery or afterward.

Another post pain experience only 1-2% of men experience is congestive epididymitis. Congestive epididymitis is scrotal pain that is experienced after a few months or years post-operation. This is often seen through swelling and caused by an increase in sperm production is at its peak and thus there is distension in the epididymis. Heat baths help to reduce sperm production and use of Ibuprofen and icing can help relieve the pain.