Can men get depressed after a vasectomy? (+3 coping tips)
By
PsychReel
This article will discuss if men can get depressed after they went through a vasectomy. It will show why this can happen, while it explains what a vasectomy is. Aside from that, the article will show what are ways for men to cope with this.
Can men get depressed after a vasectomy?
It is possible that after they went through vasectomy some men may experience symptoms of depression. But what research has shown is that this is not a common occurrence.
A minority of men go through this, and it seems that there are some reasons why this happens. The first thing to highlight is that it seems that when men go through a psychological evaluation before getting the vasectomy, their chances to experience any negative feelings when it is done go down drastically.
Showing that when you get a vasectomy in an informed and well-thought-out way, you may handle what comes after better.
Another matter that seems to have an impact is the emotional condition of men before the procedure. If a man is already depressed or has any other sort of mental illness, it can be that their chance of getting depressed afterward is higher.
As for why men can get depressed after they get a vasectomy, it can be related to some matters. One seems to be linked to how they perceive their masculinity. As Sigmund Freud set the theory of castration, some men may feel that getting a vasectomy is one way of being castrated.
This can lead to changes in self-perception, self-worth, and even self-esteem, which can ultimately lead to depression. Along with that, men sometimes undergo vasectomy in secret.
They don’t share this with their families or even with their partners. And when the question of having kids and fertility rises, the troubles that can come from it may damage their relationship and their mental health.
For other men, when faced with their mortality, or that something might happen with the lids they already have, or even with the legacy, they will leave behind. They can come to regret having gone through vasectomy.
When they think about their mortality, and what will be their legacy, they may start to wish they had kids to keep the family name alive, or even to continue some project they have started. That societal view of heritage seems to be a source of regret when it comes to vasectomy.
If the man has already had kids before the vasectomy, sometimes he may ask himself what would happen if he lost those kids. And how would he handle not being able to have more kids. Which can also weigh on them, and lead to depression.
Another matter that can lead men to feel depressed after a vasectomy is going through its healing period, and the pain that can come with it. Doctors usually tell their patients that within one week they will feel recovered.
But since that is not true for everyone, some men may become extremely anxious once they see they are not responding as the doctor had initially said.
Another matter that can harm the man after he goes through vasectomy is the chronic pain some may experience after it. Although it is rare, some men may experience post-vasectomy pain syndrome.
When men develop this syndrome, it means that the procedure caused nerve damage in the general groin area. And even though it is extremely rare, going through this chronic condition can impact the man’s quality of life, and ultimately lead to depression.
With all that said, let’s discuss what a vasectomy is, and what are ways to prevent and cope with depression after you have had a vasectomy.
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a simple surgery that can be done on men in a hospital, or in their doctor’s clinic. It is a procedure that focuses on birth control, so after it, men wouldn’t have sperm that would cause them to have children.
In the procedure, the small tubes in the men’s scrotum, from which sperm goes through, are cut or blocked. Preventing the sperm from leaving the men’s body and getting a woman pregnant. It is a safe procedure, and after it, the man can go home on the very same day.
It is almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. It can be done in two ways: through an incision, which means there will be a cut on the men’s skin, which makes the chance of infection higher. Or a non-cut method also called no-scalpel. In this one, the chances of infection are lower.
Because they are meant to be permanent, you should be sure you want to do it before submitting yourself to one. And because of that nowadays doctors have usually asked their patients to go through a psychological evaluation before going through with the procedure.
Now let’s discuss ways you can cope with depression if you have developed it after getting a vasectomy.
How can I cope with feeling depressed and having a vasectomy?
As said, vasectomy is a simple procedure, but even though it can be related to a sense of happiness and relief, some men may feel depressed after getting it.
The first thing that will help you prevent you from going through depression is considering this option deeply. If you are thinking of getting a vasectomy, discuss it with your partner, family members, and your doctor.
Go through the psychological evaluation before the procedure, and always ask yourself why you are doing this. Having a clear notion as to why you are doing it, and how this fits in your life, be it when you are single, or when you have a partner, is one of the best ways to prevent you from getting depressed after the procedure.
If you have any mental illnesses, you may want to consider being in treatment and stable before deciding to get the vasectomy. Aside from that, working on the psychological view you have of having a vasectomy, meaning understanding that having it doesn’t affect your masculinity, can also prevent you from having a negative outlook on it.
With all this said, it seems that the key factor to care for your mental health when talking about vasectomy is information. So take as much time as you need to decide, and only do it when you are completely sure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Can men get depressed after a vasectomy?
Does vasectomy lead to hormone changes in men?
No, there is no evidence that vasectomy causes any hormonal changes in men. The only thing it does is close a channel that would allow the sperm to come out, preventing them from getting a woman pregnant.
How long after a vasectomy does a man feel normal?
It usually takes around 8 to 9 days for a man to feel okay after a vasectomy. But this can always change from one man to the next. There may be some that recover faster, while for others it can take a little more time.
To prevent you from feeling anxious about your recovery process you should discuss it with your doctor, and as it goes on, you should be able to ask them any question you have. As seen in the article information is key in preventing depression after a vasectomy.
What are the most common symptoms of depression?
Depression can have many symptoms. It usually causes the person to experience intense sadness. Aside from that, it also causes you to lose interest in things, even the ones you used to love. It can make you feel less energetic and more fatigued.
When someone is depressed, they can feel empty, hopeless, irritable, guilty, and ashamed. It can feel as if they have lost their purpose and isolated themselves. Focusing may become harder, and the person may cry more often.
Depression makes the person’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth go low. And it can lead the person to consider self-harm, and some cases lead to thoughts of death, and suicidal thoughts.
What are ways to treat depression?
Depression is treated in a combination of ways. It usually takes a joint treatment of medication and therapy. For that, the person will need to go through a psychiatrist, a doctor that specializes in mental health, that will prescribe and adjust your medication to your needs.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
In therapy, you will talk about your feelings, and understand more about your emotions. It will allow you to learn how to navigate your depression, understand new strategies to cope with it, and maybe even understand what is the root of your depression.
Aside from that, there are some things a person can do in their day-to-day life that can help them cope with depression. The most recommended thing is exercising. It is common to see mental health professionals suggesting that to patients that are depressed.
It can reduce your stress levels, and improve your sense of well-being. Aside from that, trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, by eating and sleeping well can also improve your energy levels, and make you feel less fatigued.
Being around people you love can also improve how you feel. It can be a way to vent and distract yourself from negative thoughts. Allowing yourself to do new things, that bring positive emotions can also help you cope with depression.
What are the causes of depression?
Depression can happen for several reasons. It can be related to genetic factors, meaning that when you have a family member that has gone through depression, you may come to develop it.
Aside from that, depression can be related to a chemical imbalance in the person’s brain. The low levels of some neurotransmitters, such as serotonin; and high levels of some hormones, such as cortisol, can lead to depression.
And finally, depression can be related to a traumatic situation. When someone is going through them, they can get depressed. A traumatic situation may be the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or even the regret of having a vasectomy.
Conclusion
This article discussed how men can experience depression after going through a vasectomy. The article explained what this procedure is, as well as what are ways men can cope with feeling depressed.
If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to write them in the section below.
References
Shaik S, Rajkumar RP. Post-Vasectomy Depression: A Case Report and Literature Review. Ment Illn. 2014 Sep 2; 6(2): 5494. Published online 2014 Sep 19. doi: 10.4081/mi.2014.5494