Question
Does a vasectomy decrease libido?
Answer
No.
Explanation
A vasectomy prevents sperm from being added into semen, but does not affect the ability to have an erection, to ejaculate, to have an orgasm, the sensation of these, and does not affect the production of testosterone. There is no physiological basis for a vasectomy to affect libido.
The exception is when pain relating to the procedure lowers the desire to have sex. This pain can occur in the recovery period (a week or more) directly after the procedure, plus about 15% of men experience some level of scrotal discomfort in the longer term resulting from a complication such as infection or bruising.
Psychologically, a vasectomy improves sexual satisfaction. In a questionnaire, it was found that vasectomised men did not find a negative influence of vasectomy on sexuality. Moreover, 37.9% of vasectomised men reported that they experienced improvement in their sexual life after the procedure, attributing it to the freedom from contraception.
Sources
Engl T., S. Hallmen, et al., Impact of vasectomy on the sexual satisfaction of couples: experience from a specialized clinic, (Central European Journal of Urology, 2017)
Leslie, T.A., R.O. Illing, et al., The incidence of chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy: a prospective audit, (BJU International, 2007)