Female Sterilization

Female sterilization is a permanent procedure to prevent pregnancy. It works by blocking the fallopian tubes. When women choose not to have children, sterilization can be a good option. It is a slightly more complex and expensive procedure than male sterilization (vasectomy). There are two main types of female sterilization: surgical and nonsurgical.

The surgical procedure is tubal ligation, in which the fallopian tubes are cut or sealed. It is sometimes referred to as getting your tubes tied. The procedure is usually performed using a minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopy. It can also be done just after a vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery (commonly referred to as a C-section). Nonsurgical procedures use devices placed in the fallopian tubes to seal them. The devices are inserted through the vagina and uterus, and the placement does not require an incision.

Female sterilization is a good option for women who want effective and permanent birth control. It is safe for almost all women and has an extremely low failure rate. Sterilization is effective without leading to the same side effects as other methods, such as birth control pills, the implant, or even the intrauterine device (IUD). For example, the procedure does not affect your hormones, menstruation, or sexual desire. Some evidence also suggests that female sterilization may slightly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Female sterilization is nearly 100 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy. A study published in the journal Contraception found that 24–30 women out of 1,000 got pregnant after tubal ligation.

Vasectomies are permanent sterilization procedures for men. They work by tying, clipping, cutting, or sealing the vas deferens to prevent the release of sperm. The procedure may or may not require small incisions and local anaesthesia. A vasectomy typically takes between two and four months to become effective after the procedure. After one year, it is slightly more effective than female sterilization. Like female sterilization, a vasectomy does not protect against STIs. Couples who choose to opt for a vasectomy may do so because:

• it is typically more affordable
• it is considered a safer and, in some cases, less invasive procedure
• it does not raise the risk of ectopic pregnancy

On the other hand, couples who opt for female sterilization may do so because tubal ligation is effective immediately, while vasectomies may take a few months to be effective.

Because it is permanent, female sterilization is not a good option for women who may want to get pregnant in the future. Some tubal ligations may be reversible, but reversals often do not work. Women should not count on the possibility of a reversal. And nonsurgical sterilization is never reversible. If there is any chance you may want a child in the future, sterilization is probably not right for you. Talk to your doctor about other options. An IUD may be a better choice. It can be left in place for up to 10 years, and removal of the IUD restores your fertility. Unlike some other methods of birth control, female sterilization does not help women who want or need to manage menstrual cycle problems. Female sterilization does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) either. There may be extra factors for some women to keep in mind when considering female sterilization. For example, women who have a high risk of negative reactions to anaesthesia may not be able to undergo a surgical procedure. For women who want to undergo nonsurgical sterilization, there are other restrictions. At the moment, nonsurgical sterilization is not an option for those who:

• have only one fallopian tube
• have had one or both fallopian tubes obstructed or closed
• are allergic to the contrast dye used during X-rays