Some doctors provide aftercare instructions that simply state that the patient should abstain from sex for a certain amount of time (usually one week), but don’t specifically address if it’s ok to masturbate before then. Many men interpret this to mean that it’s OK to masturbate before the initial period is up, but this isn’t correct.
Masturbating and ejaculating too soon after your procedure can carry some risk, so you should use the instructions your doctor gave your regarding when it’s safe to resume sexual intercourse as a guideline for when you can start masturbating again.
Suggested readingWhy do you need to wait?
It should go without saying that in the days following a vasectomy it’s best to avoid any unnecessary trauma to the surgical site. Even though masturbation usually isn’t as rigorous as intercourse it still has the potential to expose the incision and allow bacteria to enter, which could cause an infection. Any type of ejaculation involves a number of powerful muscle contractions in the scrotum area, which can aggravate the wound. Additionally, if you are still recovering and experiencing swelling, bruising, or tenderness, having an orgasm can be uncomfortable.
What if I masturbated too soon?
Continue with your recovery process as usual and allow the surgical site to heal. Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor and try to relax. Avoid any additional sexual activity and try to lie down as much as possible. You should use cold packs to reduce swelling and wear supportive underwear to minimize further pain. If you experience pain, swelling, or bleeding that concerns you, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Recommended products for recovery
We only recommend products we think are useful for our readers. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
JockstrapsPapi Men’s Cotton Jock Strap 3-Pack
Ice packsTheraPearl Ice Pack with Gel Beads
Home Vasectomy TestSpermCheck Vasectomy Test Kit
Donut-shaped pillowErgonomic Innovations Orthopaedic Seat
Summary
Your doctor may not mention masturbation specifically when discussing post-op recovery. However, the waiting period your doctor gave you for intercourse usually applies to any other type of sexual activity as well. In other words, if your doctor instructs you to go without sex for a week, it’s generally preferred that you wait a week before masturbating too.
References and further reading
Vasectomy-Information.com has a strict sourcing policy. We rely on evidence-based medicine, peer-reviewed studies, reputable clinical journals, and medical associations. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date by reading our editorial policy.- Post-Vasectomy Care & Recovery | Patient Instructions. Pollock Clinics. https://www.pollockclinics.com/no-scalpel-vasectomy/after-vasectomy/
- Recovering from a Vasectomy: What to Expect After You Get Snipped. The Iowa Clinic. Published February 26, 2020. https://www.iowaclinic.com/urology/recovering-from-vasectomy/
- Vasectomy information. The George Washington University, Department of Urology. https://www.gwdocs.com/documents/services/urology%20&%20urologic%20surgery/Vasectomy-Information.pdf
I had my procedure on 27 October. Very uneventful (A huge relief). The doctor said to wait for a week. I’m 5 days in and since I’m feeling 100% fine already it’s getting more and more difficult to wait. Since the Doc only mentioned sex, I hoped I can at least get some alone time, but I guess not. Going to wait the additional 2 days after reading all the comments here. Haha.
I had mine done Friday at 4 pm. It’s now Sunday at 1 pm. Just rubbed one out, I hope I haven’t ruined the op. Dr told me to wait 1 week before sex. Didn’t mention wanking, so I assume it’s going to be all good. My balls are blue, have some stitches in my nutsack, but the shaft is good.
I got mine done on 06/Jan/2020, and the procedure finished up at 12 pm (afternoon). So, almost 36 hours post-op. I haven’t had any swelling and no pain, just tenderness/soreness. As many have mentioned, the need for masturbation is my biggest struggle right now, but I plan on waiting at least 8 full days minimum and 14 days maximum—some of the people commenting about waiting 4 to 6 weeks. Jesus Christ, that’s ridiculous. And the person who thought they had to rub one out 15 times before 7 days post-op, I couldn’t stop laughing when I read that.
My doctor told me the same.
Sperm remains in the behind in the lines after thr vasectomy. They will perform a sperm count 1 month following my procedure to verify if the procedure was 100% successful.
To get an accurate read for the sperm cound it it highly recommended to ejaculate around 30 times to ensure all sperm has been flushed out. Therefore until the sperm count comes back as zero, then the continuation of birth control is important.
Doctors opinions vary and so do post opp directions. If I am told directions by my doctor that basically says to ejaculate 30 times in the next month (either my masturbation or sex), why argue with that?
I did my vasectomy in 2001 in Barcelona / Alain during a Holiday stay. Vasectomies and tubal ligations are easy to achieve there, and the Doctors are well specialized in it. Vasectomy took about 20 minutes and was without any pain. Above my left testicle, two small scalpel cuts were done. Then the first left sperm line was stretched, taken out, cut, burned, tied, and pulled back into the testicle, same with the right sperm line. Doctors told me that after about 20 ejaculations, I must do a sperm test to verify if I was successfully sterile and to clean sperm lines from sperm and swimmers completely (some guys need up to 25 to 30 ejaculations for I was told).
I was able to masturbate a few hours after the operation. First, the liquid seemed to be unchanged, but more and more, the ejaculations were getting more bright and liquid, and the volume seemed to be a bit less than before the vasectomy. So I went to the clinic for a sperm test only after 7 days and after 15 ejaculations. They confirmed that I was sterile from now on and that there were not any sperm or swimmers left.
So my experience, according to Doctors consults, is to ejaculate about 15 to 20 times after vasectomy as soon as possible to be sperm free and sterile. Doctors say that ejaculations best should be done by masturbation or handjob. Until “doctors-go” and a successful sperm test to confirm that your ejaculation is sperm free, you must use condoms or other methods to avoid pregnancy. It is very unlikely that the sperm lines will accidentally reunite themselves as normally they will get, burned, and tied. Last year I did another sperm test, only to be sure I was still sterile, and again it was confirmed.
So don’t be afraid to get your vasectomy. It is quickly done, normally, completely painless and more than 99 percent safe. The only result I remarked is, as I mentioned, is that ejaculation volume is a bit less and very much more bright and liquid, not creamy like before.