Can hernia surgery lead to sexual dysfunction?

Many patients ask us: “Can hernia surgery lead to sexual dysfunction?” The short answer is “No”. Since hernia surgery does not interfere with the blood vessels or nerves that are used for sexual function, there is little to no risk. However, the spermatic cord can at times be injured leading to difficulty with reproduction. This can occur as a result of injury to the spermatic cord, or to one of the testicles. This can affect sperm count or ability for sperm to travel.