What is tubal ligation?
Tubal ligation is a safe surgical procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy. It is a procedure that is often referred to as female sterilization or “having your tubes tied.” You might opt to have this procedure done if you don’t want to have children or if you are done having children.
The procedure involves blocking, cutting, or manipulating your Fallopian tubes in such a way that sperm cannot reach an unfertilized egg once it has been released. Tubal ligation does not affect your regular menstrual cycle, and it is a more reliable, long-term method of pregnancy prevention than traditional contraception methods
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure takes about 30 minutes.
What can you expect during a tubal ligation procedure?
What happens during a tubal ligation procedure depends on what method your doctor uses to obstruct the Fallopian tubes from being able to transport sperm to an egg.
With a standard tubal ligation procedure, your doctor gives you an anesthetic to help prevent pain. Through incisions on your navel, it’s possible to access your uterus and fallopian tubes. Using special instruments, your doctor seals or blocks the tubes with rings or clips.
What is recovery like after a tubal ligation?
With tubal ligation, you can return home the same day as your procedure, and you can return to most normal activities right away. Your doctor might recommend avoiding sexual intercourse or strenuous physical activity for a few weeks.
Some patients experience fatigue or cramping after tubal ligation, and you might notice light bleeding or vaginal discharge.
What are the pros of having a tubal ligation?
If you’re entirely sure that you don’t want children or that you’re finished having children, tubal ligation can offer a permanent, safe solution for birth control.
Since the procedure doesn’t affect your regular menstrual cycle, you’ll continue to feel like your normal self and enjoy spontaneity and freedom when it comes to sexual intimacy.
Other pros of having this procedure include:
- It’s permanent.
- It is effective.
- It doesn’t affect your hormones.
- It relieves worry and anxiety about pregnancy. You don’t have to worry about birth control anymore.
- It saves you money by removing the need for other contraceptives.
- It may lower your chance of ovarian cancer.
What are the cons of having a tubal ligation?
The cons of having this procedure include:
- It is permanent. Sometimes it can be reversed with surgery, but not always.
- It doesn’t protect against STDs.
- It may lead to an ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus grows in one of your Fallopian tubes instead of in your uterus).
- It has risks like any other surgery.
Can female sterilization be reversed?
Tubal ligation or female sterilization is meant to be permanent, but it is sometimes possible to reverse a tubal ligation procedure or use IVF (in-vitro sterilization) to get pregnant after sterilization; however, there are no guarantees.
Since sterilization reversal is a complicated and expensive surgery, be sure to talk to your partner before making your decision on tubal ligation. You may also want to consider possible life changes, such as a divorce, a new partner, or the death of your children, as reasons not to have the procedure done and instead look at other effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy.
This information is provided for informational educational purposes only, and should not be considered as individual medical advice. Please discuss your specific situation with your medical provider.