Masturbation with purple testicles after inguinal hernia surgery?

I had open mesh left inguinal hernia surgery 8 days ago. My testicles have been dark purple ever since, but seem like they may FINALLY be beginning to improve a bit. I haven't had much testicular swelling, just tender and sensitive, but my left spermatic cord seems to be a bit swollen, and my testicles seem to be hanging in sort of a strange way. I want to be able to masturbate again, mostly because since I haven't done it for so long I have been getting erections that won't go away, and it gets sore since my testicles are still tender and sensitive. I just don't know if it's safe to masturbate yet since my 'manhood' seems pretty messed up still. I don't want to damage anything. Does anybody know how long you're supposed to wait or when it's safe to start emptying the tanks again?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Normally if there is so much of arousal there will be spontaneous ejaculation when you sleep or wet dreams. The scrotum remains bluish black for some time after surgery and since there is some pain and inflammation still, it would be wise not to masturbate now. Please consult your surgeon once since 8-10 days have passed and though the things are improving there is still some pain and inflammation left.
Usually this will subside by 10-15 days after which you can gently start masturbating. However consult your doctor before you do that.
It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.  Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[rorman]

Thanks for the reply! I had a follow up appt. with my surgeon yesterday and he said that the minor swelling and the bruising are normal and should slowly continue to improve. He too said that it can take a while for it to completely go away, but he didn't seem concerned with my condition, and from what I've read on here about other people's problems after this surgery, I seem to be doing great. By day 4 I was completely off the pain meds, and I've been pretty much pain-free now for a couple days, other than when I accidentally let a small cough or laugh slip out, and occasional minor soreness around the incision area.
The soreness and tenderness in my testicles seems to have improved almost completely, and the brusing gets a little better every day. I'll try to hold off on masturbating until my condition improves more though, just to be safe.
I was wondering about the coughing and laughing, though. I know that you're supposed to refrain from it at first to prevent your incision from splitting open, but when is it safe to laugh, cough, and sneeze again? Is it possible to push the hernia back through if you do it too soon and the mesh hasn't fully set in yet? I only have minor pain now when I laugh and cough (which has only happened a handful of times, and I'm still afraid to sneeze) so if there isn't much pain does that mean it's safe yet?
Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it.

[jfm003]

I had left inguinal and umbilical hernia surgery at the same time, and on day 5 post-op, I couldn't stand it anymore and had to masturbate.  It burned slightly immediately before and during ejaculation.  I waited 2 more days, tried it again and everything was fine.  I would say if you feel up to it, go for it!!

[rmprdl1964]

Hi,

I had an incarcerated right inguinal hernia in 2006. It was treated as an emergency and I spent the following 5 days in hospital.
Prior to the hernia, I underwent an emergency left orchiectomy after a strep infection following a vasectomy.

Given these problems I waited about six weeks before I somewhat returned to sexual activity as I was used too. The first few times I experienced a strange sensation but no real pain. What would happen seemed to be that the right testicle would retract at times.

Currently, I still have some discomfort if I try and sleep on my right side. It feels like pressure in the area. Another thing is that the right testicle now seems fixed high in the scrotum. When I'm cold it almost looks like I have no testicles at all.

I have been warned about any surgery to repair this as there is a great risk that I might loose the testicle as the result of surgery do to some complication.

Prior to the hernia surgery, the surgeon told me to be prepared to loose the right testicle during the surgery. I then refused to sign the conscent forms. I was very pleased to wake up still having my testicle.

All the best.

Ron