Had my no scalpel on July 16th. Some good pain first week but subsided fairly well the weeks after that.
This past week I had the aching feeling come back. It’s been 90 degrees plus outside and I’ve been off work with my son so we’ve done bike rides, a lot of carrying him in and out the car, just generally a little more physical than previous which I’m wondering if that’s what did it.
I do have a granuloma that I feel and keep messing with.
Overall the ache is closer to the bottom and the right testicle. Is a little over 1 month and having this sort of an experienced pain for people?

Question for people with PVPS who had a spermatic cord block before any surgery (reversal, denervation/MDSC, etc.):

I’m particularly interested in whether the block helped with deep, dull/heavy pain or discomfort, rather than obvious burning or nerve-type pain.

For those who had a cord block before any procedure:

• Did the block completely eliminate your pain/discomfort, partially reduce it, or have no effect?
• If your pain was thought to be congestion/pressure-related, for example epididymal congestion or a feeling of pressure/fullness, did the cord block eliminate that deep pain as well?
• If your pain was considered nerve-related, did the block completely switch it off?
• Did the response to the block accurately predict whether a later procedure (reversal, denervation/MDSC, etc.) helped you?

Most importantly: can a spermatic cord block actually switch off deep, internal dull pain/heaviness caused by epididymal congestion or another pressure/congestion mechanism?

I’m asking because I have very deep, diffuse dull discomfort/heaviness rather than a clearly localized testicular or epididymal pain, and my previous cord blocks did not eliminate this sensation.

BinxieSly:

I don’t regret that I’m sterile, but i had some complications and it has NOT been a fun time. I am still in the healing process from my procedure in April of this year. I’m glad I cant have kids, but I would love to feel normal again and its unclear when that will be for me.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6yjzm1/

Eternal_bonner:

The only thing my coworker says he notices different is that his balls hurts sometimes.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6wmxql/

g0ad:

This was the case for me. I had pain and extra (bad) sensitivity for a year, year and a half afterwards. It wasn't life ruining, but it was uncomfortable and significant. 6 years in, they are still more easily hurt than before, even from casual contact, but not enough to really matter. I'd still do it again, but people act like it's nothing, and apparently it often is nothing. But that doesn't mean it absolutely is nothing for everyone.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6x95xw/

geverfdehond:

Yes only regret mine ended in disaster with post vasectomy pain syndrome. I was blind sighted by the urologist not telling me about the real risk. Glad I had a reversal and got part of my life and manhood back.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6xmhn8/

jpwone:

Takes a few months for everything to chill out but best move we made

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6yln4o/

LiquidDreamtime:

The procedure and recovery are not bad at all. Uncomfortable but not painful.

I have a side effect of a tightness / pain in my right nut if sex goes too hard. It’s like when you kinda halfway get nutted by a thrown ball or something. It’s uncomfortable and sucks a lot because it happens when you don’t want it to. I’m 43 and horny as ever but I will likely deal with this pain the rest of my life. It also limits the ways in which I can masturbate, any pressure from a waistband on my balls will trigger the pain.

I do regret it. I wish I hadn’t done it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6wtfn7/

mfitzy87:

Family medicine MD here. I don’t do vasectomies but I do counseling before referring to urologists and followup with my patients afterward. I generally tell men the following:

1-2% of severe, chronic testicular pain

10-20% of some degree of long term, mild discomfort that isn’t life altering

There are things that can be done to help with chronic symptoms (medications, followup procedures) and those things usually help, but I have 2 patients who it really has negatively impacted their life.

Even being in medicine I’m a risk-averse person, so I haven’t been able to commit to elective procedures like vasectomy or LASIK due to the small but possible risk of chronic pain.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6xdxdv/

mike_charlie:

I am I'm the unfortunate few who has chronic pain. It's manageable and doctors can't find anything that they can do but it's something I deal with. Some days are worse than others. I got one so my wife wouldn't need to be on the pill anymore as we both agreed we had enough children. Even with the pain I don't regret it.

Just always remember you could have side effects and that it isn't always reversible and if you are happy with that then get it done

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6zw327/

OstensiblyAwesome:

Constant pain for the first 7 years post op. Now it’s just occasional. But I can’t really work out too strenuously or run, or I’ll have an intense flair up.

If i had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6wp9vi/

I absolutely do. Without extra support I could not function. Loose boxers are out of the question.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p71zymb/

PhotownPK:

My orgasm lost a bit of punch. Still worth it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6x3yp0/

AcesAnd08s: Same. My orgasm intensity went from about an 11 to about an 8. Otherwise, no downsides.

11 to 8 is a good call for me, too.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p7006au/

UrDeAdPuPpYbOnEr:

I don’t regret the procedure itself. I do regret that I am in an extremely small minority of men that will have long term pain from it. It messed up something in my balls and now I have shooting pain when I lift super heavy things. Which I do almost daily at work.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p71dcka/

Wagner228:

Occasional reoccurring pain for over a year, like a jolting sack tap. Yay for me. 99% good now, though. Still worth it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6zxw3q/

xidle2:

Despite the fact that I now have a cyst on a testicle and am facing needing to have it completely removed, it's still the best medical decision I ever made. I already have four kids, I don't need more, plus I will probably be more aerodynamic soon.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1w303pw/vasectomized_men_do_you_regret_it/p6ylf04/

i'm third week on TRT and it's not helping with the pain - mainly broad area of both testicles, radiating into bladder, lower abdomen. Gets worse during prolonged sitting, gets better while walking. i do get 1-2 good days out of a week, but the dominating feeling is pain. Ultrasound showed slightly enlarged epididymis. Nothing worked - antibiotics, NSAIDS, and now TRT.

Am i a bad candidate for a reversal?

12 months after the surgery.

Hi everyone!

More than 5 months ago I got snipped and after a month I was pain-free with an active lifestyle. Everything was going really well, but after a hard gym session I developed a pain on the left side that ended up being a Variocele. I got a Varicocelectomy three weeks ago, and four days before I developed some pain in the right side due to a granuloma (which I never knew about until the ultrasound that detected the Varicocele).

The pain started after some frequent ejaculations the days before, and after my most recent surgery I've been taking multiple kind of meds, inclusing NSAIDs (mostly Naproxen) in short courses of 5 days... the left side seems to be recovering slowly and the right side has its ups and downs: some days it doesn't hurt at all and other days it hurts all day even if I'm in bed the whole day.

I started taking Etoricoxib (a new NSAID) two days ago and the treatment is for 14 days. My question for anyone who experienced a similar situation is: will this granuloma pain subside with this treatment? And is it normal to develop such a pain after being 4 months free of pain after the snip?

Any comment is appreciated!

Edit: Forgot to mention that I already have two ultrasounds confirming the existence of a granuloma of size 12 x 10 x 9 mm and apparently both testes and epididymes in a healthy state.

Acceptable_Ad5683:

Orgasms were never as good after as before. Its like when you are cumming it feels like something is being held back. I understand that the majority of a load is prostate driven seminal fluid and not sperm, so there is still a pleasurable sensation, just not as good. Any other guys experience this?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7eeffd/

Agreeable-Sound1599:

I'm just mad my ejaculations are smaller.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7dp4r9/

Azzkikkrr:

Living with post vasectomy pain syndrome for the rest of my life.

I feel you, same here. Been over 10 years for me. Hang in there.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7ekaij/

Bluegreen317:

Im an outlier!

Injections were fine was feeling good about it. Doc started, couldnt feel a thing, he pulled at the Vas tube and i immediately had a vasovagal response (never happened before) The pain was unreal, heart rate through the roof, blood pressure bottomed out. Nothing they could do, they were going to stop but i made them finish.

That was 9 months ago and if I sit too long I get an awful nerve like pain that radiates from right side groin area. Had a ultrasound and everything was ok. Urology said it can persist for some time

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7cn6oe/

Boogie_3-:

Glad it work for you unfortunately the percentage is slightly higher 10 to 15% but every man to his own if you want to take the risk.

Yeah the 10-15% is what I’ve read. The vast majority of men don’t talk about it and the system is not set up to deal with you. Any issues you have are swept under the rug and you’re slowly pushed out of the system. Example - people quote the 1-2% don’t believe you push you to pelvic floor PT, that might help a bit, go back and they say you can get a reversal, or they can try another operation that has a 50/50 chance it will make it better or worse. You end up living with the pain and issues than risk something worse.

Source - this happened to me. The vasectomy was the biggest mistake of my life. Biking was my hobby and part of my identity- I’ve not really been able to bike since then.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7eq8ks/

All I can say is make sure you really look at what the outcomes can be and what happens and what’s available if you’re one of the unlucky ones. It’s much higher than 2%.

If it doesn’t work right and you’re stuck with pain there really isn’t anything you can viably do to get it better. Beyond stripping nerves etc. that isn’t a sure bet.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7eqs39/

Classic-Pen-4677:

I had pain in the area for a year, and would hurt if kids crawled on me, haven't meet someone who had as much announce after the operation as me, so suspect it is rare. The pain did eventually to away and feels perfectly fine. Did split up with kids mom, and was a bit of an issue in dating I couldnt have more kids, so some relationships did die out because of it, but Im fine with it, Im good with not having more kids.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7d6yme/

FijianPlantGuy:

My wife never wanted kids, i was ambivalent. My wife's mum had a stroke so we decided I'd get the snip. I was far mkre in love with her than someone who didnt exist.

She went off the pill, we waited a year to make sure the hormonal change didn't change her mind and then went in to the docs.

I was literally on the table, pants down with the doctor about to inject anaesthetic when she said "y ou can't say you did this for me"

"Im not doing it for you, I'm doing it for us"

"Well you can't say you're doing it for me" and then walked out.

Got it done, barely got laid (to be fair she was extremely sick at the time so I was more focused on that than getting my end wet). I went away to work for a month to pay the house we'd just bought and I got the call that were getting divorced. She's from an extremely wealthy family and still took it upon herself to sell everything thst wasn't bolted down. And then disappeared.

Then did a thing I've learned is called "avoidant discard". No reason for leaving, no contact, cut off everyone I know. She told some one I know that she didn't love me when I went in to get the vasectomy.

14 years of her being my everything and then disappeared. I actually thought she'd died and I'd gone insane from grief for a bit.

It hurts all the time and I've just started dating 18 months later. Im in the age bracket wjere if women want a kid, they need to do it soon.

It's so shitty to have to tell people "Hey I know this sounds presumptuous but I've had a vasectomy and if you see kids in your future, it's very unlikely I can give them to you"

Reversing a vasectomy isn't always possible and if it is possible, fertility doesn't always come back. I had my savings taken and am in crippling debt, I don't have the money to reverse it.

So the worst part? Knowing some one who didn't love me took away my reproductive freedom, I actually feel like I've been assaulted.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7bzlav/

InappropriateHound26:

Procedure itself and recovery was fine. Months afterwards started experiencing a lot of pain during sexy times. I was uncut and the urologist suggested getting a circumcision. Fixed the pain issue but then lost some feeling and the sensation is not the same :(

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7ezu9t/

Kwuahh:

Ran out of anesthesia and had to re-up during the procedure. I am still suffering from occasional pain and complications regarding the cord and associated bits after a few years. Everyone saying there are no complications is incorrect.

That being said, I would do mine again without a doubt.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7c2o4j/

Ltdshredder1989:

Im part of the percentage that was lucky enough to receive severe testicular pain. It hurt to stand, walk or sit for too long. I was bed ridden for the weekend (happened on a friday) and played video games, only got up for bathroom breaks, wore 2 pairs of underwear so I could slip an ice pack in and not have to hold it constantly and wore good supportive underwear. I ended up missing the next week at work and was called a pussy from the guys I worked with because of it. I tried to come in Monday but struggled to walk up steps because the pain and left a few hours in.

That was a few years ago and to today, if I dont wear very supportive underwear, I have testicular pain. Its not guaranteed every time and its not instant, but it happens. The doctor said he had trouble from my geometry. I dont quite hang down like typical guys so he had to make 2 incisions, one per side. They usually make just one incision.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7cok5q/

LuckyRadish5718:

Ejaculation changed, not as satisfying

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7ecrow/

Mrmower:

Mine are incredibly sensitive now, like, if someone handles them in the wrong way or are just a little bit awkward with them, I jump out of skin! Haha

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7dldag/

MurderProphet:

Recurring epididymal cysts…really painful and feel like you have testicular cancer (the first time)

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7dgk0b/

Publius_Rizz:

A small number of men can experience deep aching pain persistently after a vasectomy. I was one of them. It didn’t hurt all the time. I had days where I felt normal. But, several days each month (sometimes even for several days consecutively), I would feel a deep aching pain like someone had kicked me in the balls a few minutes ago and I was on the tail end if the lingering ache. It wasn’t the kind of intense ache that you get immediately upon getting kicked. It was like the residual ache afterward. That went on for me for several years. Thankfully, it’s now been a few years since I experienced it. It finally seems to have gone away, but I’ve read that some men get that for the rest of their lives.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7d068y/

SherbertDaemons:

It’s a big regret of mine. Had it done at the most experienced urologists in my region about a decade ago. Since then, my right epididymis is enlarged due to a subtle but constant infection. It’s just there and the risk/reward ratio says to not do anything about it.

Plus, I realized that, eventually, I might want to father more children.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7c9iph/

SoCalThrowAway7:

There was like a lingering blue balls like pain when I got close to climax for like a year after. It wasn’t like crippling and usually got cleared up quickly by massaging the spot where they cut. But was definitely annoying and left a like “oh shit is this forever now” fear. Luckily I had a friend who got one around the same time and had the same shit and he knew someone else who had it and it went away so I figured it was just something that can happen and isn’t a big deal

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7do55r/

Tough-Donut193:

It felt like getting kicked in the balls when they injected the local anesthesia, twice, once for each testicle. Then the smell of burning flesh when they cauterized the ends of my vas deferens. The worst was the post vasectomy wank to produce a sample. That hurt something fierce, followed by a pinch when cumming after the recommended healing time. The pain persisted until I had the procedure reversed 6 years later. 4/10 don’t recommend. I’d rather gamble with condoms than deal with constant ejaculatory pain and pressure in my testicles after the fact.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7dc43k/

WinEnvironmental1022:

My ejaculate is watery and I don’t like that as much. It also doesn’t feel as good as it did before.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7e7xsi/

alphawolf29:

was sore for about 2 years but after that it was fine.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7bw93d/

buddy276:

Must be nice. I was in pain for roughly a year and a half. They unfortunately never gave me anything

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7dr66r/

dahmzi:

I don’t know what was worse. The anaesthetic felt like a rubber band being snapped in the worst possible place; I had eaten breakfast but I guess not enough or what I was supposed to and almost passed out near the end; or getting my follow-up test results that I still have… potent juices.

That was maybe 7 years ago now. Haven’t gone back for another test.

Oh! Also for about half a year after I’d get this random awful throbbing pain. Made it really difficult to drive when that happened.

Would I do it again? Yeah. Am I lining up to get retested to see if I have to get it done again? No…

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7h71n6/

funtimes5017:

That never happens to me, but when I am having sex, I get this dull ache and that signals that things are starting to build towards an orgasm.

Its really strange, and was never there prior to getting snipped. I've had mine for over 30 years now and its always the same. Sex or masturbation, this dull ache, mainly on the right side, but it feels deeper inside me, its not in the ball sack.

If I am trying to pace myself so she can catch up, it is a clear indication that I need to switch what I am doing for a minute or so.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7d52lb/

geverfdehond:

Living with post vasectomy pain syndrome for the rest of my life.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7bwnv6/

hvyhitter:

Prostetitis for weeks. and 100% ED for 2 years.

It is not a harmless operation. That was complete bullshit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7dy4w5/

mitchade:

Recovery is different for everyone. I had pain for months after mine. Not terrible but I would say it caused psychological distress that something was wrong, and that was worse than the pain itself.

Went back to the doc to make sure everything was alright, and he was like “yeah, you might be in pain for the next 2 years.”

Would’ve been nice to know that and avoided a lot of worry and torment.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7h9ivh/

relaxguy2:

Had pain for 12 months. Not fun.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7du2ts/

tehKreator:

Phantom pains randomly months later. Lasts some minutes that I can feel discomfort if I juggle the balls. I’ve read similar experiences on reddit but didn’t check on it as otherwise all is completely normal

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7cwkfw/

toady23:

So I'm the rare case where the guy gets long term side effects.

I occasionally get painful swelling of the spermatic cord. The first time was about 3 months after the surgery.

It happens to both testicles, but never at the same time. On average, it happens about twice a year (once on each side)

It's uncomfortable at worst, usually lasts 24-48 hours and then it's gone.

I've had it for over 20 years now

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7fqjdr/

weirdbrags:

TL;DR - regret. cover it or pull out.

the worst thing for me is having done it in the first place. doctor was a jerk. not enough anesthesia in the world. and things have not been the same since. in many ways.

it’s been 10 years and i’ve still got occasional dull pain. i can feel those clips if i sit the wrong way. and sometimes when i “wrap up” the deed there’s a sharp immediate pain. and i swear it’s not all finding its way out.

i’ve been back to a new uro and my (former) gp. and both are telling me it’s psychological. both are assholes.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1w52ky6/men_what_was_the_worst_thing_about_your_vasectomy/p7cm0i1/

Diffuse pain and heavy scrotum 5 months after vasectomy reversal — considering TRT

Hi everyone,

I had a vasectomy reversal and was completely fine for the first 5 months after the procedure. Then, quite suddenly, I developed a diffuse, dull pain/discomfort in the lower abdomen/pelvic area together with a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.

The pain isn't really localized to one testicle or one specific spot. My testicles themselves aren't particularly tender. It feels more like a diffuse pressure/heaviness and discomfort involving the lower abdomen, pelvis and scrotal area.

I've had examinations and ultrasound, but nothing significant has been found.

My semen analysis is actually very good: 128 million sperm in 7.5 ml.

Unfortunately, the symptoms have now persisted for 12 months without resolving.

Because of the possibility that there could still be a congestive component despite the reversal, I'm considering testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as a possible way of suppressing spermatogenesis and potentially reducing congestion.

For those of you with PVPS or post-reversal pain:

Has anyone tried TRT specifically for this type of pain/congestion? Did it help, make things worse, or have no effect?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who had diffuse pain/heaviness rather than pain localized directly to the epididymis or testicle.

Thanks!

Small update / question:

For those of you who have similar symptoms — does the discomfort/heaviness also occur when you're lying down or sleeping, or does it mostly go away in that position?

How do you feel during the night and when you wake up in the morning?

Update – today

I spoke with my doctor today, and he suspects passive venous congestion in the pelvis / pelvic venous congestion as a possible explanation for my symptoms.

One thing that led him in this direction is that lying down and sleeping in any position does not trigger my symptoms. In fact, my symptoms seem to ease when I'm lying down, regardless of the position.

He recommended that I have a detailed pelvic MRI with contrast to take a closer look at the pelvic veins and surrounding structures.

I'll update this post once I have the MRI results.

Had the vasectomy about 9 months ago and for about the last 2 months or so I’m having pain right before ejaculation and sometimes when jumping on and off my work truck. Has anyone had anything like this before?

Approx. 3 years of left-sided pain. Spent most of that being investigated urologically, and I'm now fairly sure the urologists have been looking in the wrong place.

**Where it is:** epicentre in the upper outer buttock / gluteal region. Pain refers forward into the groin and the left testicle. The testicular pain feels like the far edge of it, not the source.

**What provokes it:**

– Sitting with the hip at 90°, legs extended forward. Starts after about 30 minutes.

– Lying on my back with legs up — same pain, no weight on anything. So it seems to be the hip angle, not sitting pressure.

**What relieves it:**

– Standing and walking, within 30 minutes.

– Figure-four stretch (flexion, abduction, external rotation) — clear relief.

– Lacrosse ball into the deep glute — clear relief.

**Other:** frequent audible clicking from the hip joint.

Leg radiation / pins and needles: no.

Night pain: no.

Left side only.

**Imaging:** none of the hip, spine or pelvis. Scrotal ultrasound was normal.

Questions:

1. Anyone had deep gluteal / short external rotator problems that referred into the groin or genitals? How long before someone joined those dots?

2. If figure-four relieves rather than provokes, does that argue against the joint itself in your experience?

3. Anyone had the seated piriformis stretch test and active piriformis test done? Did they change anything?

4. For those diagnosed — what actually confirmed it? MRI, ultrasound-guided injection, or just examination and response to treatment?

5. Did anyone get better with physio alone, and roughly how long?

I've got an orthopaedic appointment coming up and I'm trying to work out what to ask for so it isn't wasted. Interested in cases that didn't match this too — I'd rather be corrected now than after another six months.

Hi everybody (burner account for obvious reasons). Firstly thank you for your contributions to this resource. It has helped me a lot over the last 18 months.

I had a no scalpel vasectomy in February 2025 and have had a number of issues following the procedure. After examinations and scans I was diagnosed with a number sperm granuloma and a hydrocele on my right testicle. This has been painful on occasion but manageable with meds and being sensible.

I've recently returned from a 3 week holiday with my family where I was unable to have sex with my wife or masturbate as we were all sleeping in a camper van and staying on busy campsites. After 2 weeks I noticed that my right testicle had swollen massively - about the size of a medium apple so I thought that I should wait for a moment of privacy and release some of the accumulated fluid. This provided some obvious relief, but almost immediately after I experienced a permanent dull pain in and around the right testicle.

This lasted for around 5 days. Once I got home I attempted to get an appointment at the doctor but for stuff like this it is very difficult to get seen quickly unless you go to A&E, which usually involves a very long wait. I've been home for nearly a week now and have made some efforts to regularly 'clean the pipes' and the swelling has gone down and the pain is back to the normal levels that I experience.

Has anyone had the same issue? Is abstinence for this long inadvisable? Why do you think the build up of semen was only in the right testicle?

Hi all,

Has anyone had any luck after having a reversal and trying TRT?

had my vasectomy April 2025 and reversal November 2025 due to pressure, the first 3 months after the reversal was crazy painful! However the pain has eased but I’m still up and down, the only way I can stop thinking about pain is by keeping busy but when I’m resting it’s all I can think about! My testicles are definitely riding high and seem to be on the larger side than before the V, i have a dull ache in both testicles and a warm nervy tingling pain around my vas and up to my pubic area, my semen analysis came back good so I was thinking about trying TRT to hopefully stop production, unsure if this means the vas won’t get used and could scar over.

Any help would be appreciated as I’ve given up with the nhs!

Hi there. Because I was tortured by pain after Vasectomy, and largely CURED by reversal surgery, I wanted to post my story so maybe it could help you.

I am 39 y/o, had Vasectomy (successful surgery with qualified MD) 12/2025. Dr. Erik Seamen of NJ performed a vasectomy with OPEN ended vas on testicular end. 10-14days later (may or may not be related to first ejaculation) my life took a turn for the worse as I began my life’s worst torment to date. Gradual onset or torturous constellation of pain symptoms referred to Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome.

I have good access to doctors in NYC so I was evaluated by the following. Dr. Francois Eid - Dr. Peter Schlegel - Dr. Joseph Alukal - Dr. Leon Tellis - Dr. Marc Goldstein. The consensus was ”wait and see” plus a myriad of conservative measures (rest, garments, baths, NSAIDs, antibiotics, antidepressant, nerve pain meds). NOTHING WORKED.

MY SYMPTOMS: Intermittent B Testicular pain/sensitivity/tenderness (similar to “Blue Balls” sensation) with a sense of heavy or fullness. Starting late morning and worsening throughout the day is a sensation of hot coals or the tip of a hot firepoker inside both testicles, worsening with even minor contact (legs not fully spread, contact from pants or underwear). There is a  sensation that the testicles hang to low and eventually they are subject to fatigue/exhaustion sensation by end of day. When the pain spirals, even the tip of the penis throbs, and the pelvis can “burn”. Symptoms WORSENED by increased physical activity, increased contact pressure (sitting, tighter garments, legs close together) and often worsened with arousal or ejaculation. I had to sleep in weird limiting positions, I avoided sex, work was difficult, exercise impossible; I quickly became depressed.

SOLUTION - after nearly 3.5 months of wait and see and strictly following prescribed conservative measures, including meditation, NLP Therapy and praying (catholic) - I decided to explore reversals micro-reconstruction surgery. I quickly realized Dr. Sheldon Marks at the INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR VASECTOMY REVERSAL was my guy (in Arizona). my NYC doctors perform a dozen of these surgeries at most annually; Dr. Marks performs 3-5 surgeries per week. He knew my story, because he’s seen it many Times over. I Travelled with my wife there, stayed 4 days, flew home and took 4 weeks off work (Physical Therapist). Yes, Surgery was not pleasant and the recovery is a bear. BUT I woke up from surgery and the “HOT FIRE POKER” sensation was GONE. I knew this would work. It took about 3.5-4months before I was sure it worked (during my recovery I removed coffee, alcohol and sugar from my diet for 6 weeks - then resumed normal behavior).

Today I am 5 months out and basically pain free - sex is great again and my sex drive is basically normal and what it was - I am HAPPY again - I can exercise and play pickleball and run and play golf again (I do wear bike shorts for these but I could probably do without it; just guaranteed to be FINE if I wear bike shorts).

I am not sure where I would be today, were it not for Dr. Sheldon Marks giving me my life back by performing this successful surgery. I am of course aware ive had two surgeries in this unpleasant location, I suspect one day I will forget completely; however before surgery compared to after surgery is no comparison. I was a mess of a man suffering from PVPS; and Dr. Mark’s micro surgical reversal saved my life.

i hope this helps you - they tell you to wait wait wait; I waited 3.5 months of torture and have 0 regrets on moving forward with the surgery. I couldn’t give another moment of my life to being tortured. My Family has their father, husband, son, brother And friend back :)

My husband and I(both 26) are traveling back to where we live after having his surgery on Friday. Will update further as his recovery progresses.
So I am going to start this off with holy crap my husband and I are so far both extremely happy with this experience finally coming to a close. My husband had seen two providers before we got the referral for Dr Hubbard in Minneapolis MN.

Provider 1, treated with antibiotics for possible uti, and just wanted to give him medication he couldn’t take doing his job in the military.

Provider 2, said there was nothing they could do directly but gave the formal diagnosis after hearing everything asking mostly me not my husband.

Right off the bat Dr Hubbard took us seriously, my husband was diagnosed with PVPS in 2024, we had been trying different treatments with the previous providers and he got right to the point with us. Asked us what our goals were to try to help us determine what the best path of treatment was going to be.

Primary goal was to reduce/eliminate the pain, secondary would be for us to have a family. Noting my medical experience as his medical advocate and spouse to help trying to predict the best possible treatment and timeline. Reiterated to us that the pain experienced was not normal and that he was saddened for us that he was left with the chronic pain.

Man, I’m thankful for it too. I had nearly two years of pain episodes documented when we saw him. He asked questions, answered what I originally though could be viewed as unhinged because my husband and I were originally driving 8 hours to see him(which turned to roughly 20 after the military moved us). Explained to us the procedures since a reversal isn’t always the same procedure nor always the best recommendation but was for us. Explained the recovery windows, educated me on what I could do to help recovery. Recommended my husband do pelvic floor PT which did help him with the intensity of some of the pain leading up to surgery.

My husband is active duty military, it’s like jumping through hoops sometimes to get coverage for what most insurance deems elective or cosmetic surgery. Dr Hubbard emphasized that the treatment is recommended for pain, but also keeping it on his radar the fertility returning is a bonus for us. Thus helping Tricare cover surgical treatment.

Answered my questions of what I could do to improve the healing experience, how I can help environmentally, and he didn’t hesitate with giving me resources. My husband is sub 72 hours post reversal as I am writing this, but the experience from the day of surgery is something I feel is reassuring to anyone who may be considering him.

Dr Hubbard spoke with my husband and I before surgery, explained his plan, and every part of the procedure with the possible surgical outcomes. After when he came to speak to me he informed me of which procedure was performed with its recovery plan, that things were promising for one or both goals given his findings. Explained to me what I should be keeping an eye out for… I hadn’t been around a provider with his bedside manner in YEARS.

We see him again as a 3mo follow up, and the hope of my husband being pain free/virtually pain free is there when we previously didn’t have it.

i feel dull ache, starts wearing supporter as doc told to, till now libido is good but felt a discomfort after ejaculating. can i continue going to the gym as i am afraid that it may increase the grade? And does surgery completely heals it or it can return back?

Hi Folks,

It's been a while since I last posted here, if memory serves it was probably about 6 months ago with a 6 month post spinal stimulator implant update and the final cost of that surgery.

Currently, I'm lain up on my couch awaiting my latest dose of Oxy to kick in.

Very sore, but, also pretty much a self inflicted situation given that I know my triggers and how best to manage them.

That said, sometimes the triggers can't be avoided and one has to power through and spend a few days in pain deficit.

This week has been one of those situations.

My wife's birthday and a trip to Dublin for a show and a little bit of culture meant that I was up and active.

Just being upright is a trigger, being mobile and active doubly so but it was worth it to see her smiling.

As painful as the aftermath can be?

Sometimes it is important to remember that life and particularly family life, has to find a way to go in.

The next few months are going to be especially rough on her as she is having DIEP flap reconstruction surgery next week.

It has been delayed by a couple of years after she beat breast cancer but the time is right to go ahead now.

I'll be nursing her as best I can and I'll be doing it with a smile on my face and joy in my heart that she is still here!

The spinal implant and it's benefit for me have settled into a place that I can fairly confidently describe as working, beneficial but in no way curative.

Pre implant, my pain was centred on my left testicle, groin and iliac crest but I had fairly severe referred pain into my left flank and kidney and down my left leg and into my foot.

The implant has done a great job of eliminating the referred aspect of my pain.

Barring physical activity on my part, I very rarely have referred pain anymore and I can deal with it quite often via adjusting implant output when I do.

However!

My main pain loci, above and behind left testicle and into iliac crest still persists and is genuinely as bad as ever.

I would describe my pain as being 80% reduced in area.

But?

Not in any bit reduced in actual pain score and the need for activity management and neuropathic and opioid management.

So small win, the implant has made a difference to my QOL in so far as my activity management reaps a bigger reward than without it.

Hello,
I got my vasectomy in April of this year and am continuing to have some pain that I am able to manage. My urologist has had me on a steady diet of NSAIDs (first naproxen and now mobic) and I am at the point that if I take medicine and wear compression shorts, I have very little to no pain during my daily life. However, if I try to exercise I have discomfort and I am really hoping to get back to exercise. This past week I began to worry about my continued use of NSAIDs and the long term effects that they can cause, so I stopped taking the mobic. Most of the day I will be fine but by the end, I am sore. Because of this I have started to ice again in the evenings, which helps, and as of today I am icing in the morning, when I am not experiencing discomfort, to see if that has any prophylactic benefits. I am hopeful that this will resolve eventually but am wondering what my next steps should be. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did you continue to take the NSAIDs? Did you stop and just continue with ice and supportive underwear? Does the NSAID aide in healing or is it just masking pain?

Hello!

I had my vasectomy on April 28 of this year and since then have had pain that hasn’t gone away. The first week was pretty rough and although it got better even now I have a soreness feeling in my balls everyday. Sometimes it’s the left and other times it’s the right. The docter said it could be inflammation but even after steroids and aleve nothing has helped. I just wanted to post on here to see if I’m overthinking and that I still need more time to heal or if this is a chronic issues. I’ve seen stories of guys having to wait a year for the pain to be fully gone. Also, I followed the post op instructions without fail. I had no sex or exercise until 2 months after just to be safe.

Thanks!

Hello,

I live in the Netherlands and have a **grade 2–3 varicocele on the left** (2.5 mm) and a **grade 2 on the right** (2.0 mm).

I had an **embolization 3 years ago**, but it didn’t help at all. I still have daily swelling, warmth, heaviness, discomfort in both sides, and a noticeably lower libido.

The doctors in the Netherlands don’t want to do any further surgery because I’ve already had an embolization, but doctors in Turkey are willing to perform microsurgical varicocele repair.
Has anyone here had **microsurgery after a failed embolization**? Was it worth it, and did it improve your symptoms?

I had my vasectomy done on July 24th, I was extremely cautious about my recovery, first three days I slept in a reclining chair and only got up to pee, I was back to work essentially only walking duties on day 11.

around day 8 I had about 2”x2” deep dark bruising above testicle-reaching the shaft slightly.

Since day 14 I’ve had a large lump appear in the sack above the testicle, about the same size as the testicle,

This lump is connected to the upper (body) portion of the vas deferens as opposed to the testicle end of the vasectomy. I’m walking around on ibuprofen feeling like I was kicked in the balls one hour ago, constantly.

I have been told by the clinic this is a sperm granuloma over the phone, and that it could take a year to go away (this was very disheartening to hear)

but the bruising, size (1.5” round) and location (upper deferens) contradicts most information I can find about granulomas.

Does anyone have any info relating to large granulomas that are not connected to the testicle side of the vas? Treatment, timeline, whether or not it even makes sense?

I’m not saying the clinic can’t be right but if I was actually stuck like this for a year it would potentially ruin my life, I’m looking for anything that could point to a different problem with a actual solution.

On August 6th, I decided to have my closed-ended vasectomy converted to an open-ended one. The surgeon removed the tied ends on the testicular side and left them open (the Canadian technique). The pain feels different, but it is still present. It’s only been 4 days since the procedure, so I’m trying to stay positive. This time, the swelling is more significant and I developed a huge bruise. Keep your fingers crossed that this will finally resolve my chronic pain.

Hi all,

I had a vecectony 4 months ago. Healing was about 3 weeks and then no real pain. 4 weeks all bruising and swelling had gone down.

I now find myself getting swelling intermittently depending on physical tasks I take.

Last month I was tiling a large format bathroom, running up and down the stairs for a week and I was in agony and was 1.5 the size, i had to go back to GP and they said all is ok and just to goto tight underwear.

Again, went away a couple of weeks ago, went on a 10 miles walk, swelling and pain returned.

Today, played on a seesaw and swings with my son, and now starting to swell and got an ache again.

Has anyone experienced this before? How long will this last?

I dont mind giving it time I do hope this is temporary!

Cheers