Home > Health Guides by Topic > Sexuality & Sexual Health > Contraception/Birth Control > Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)
| Out of 100 Women Using this Method | |
| Typical Use: Less than 1 Woman Becomes Pregnant |  |
| Perfect Use: Less than 1 Woman Becomes Pregnant | |
What is female sterilization?
Female sterilization is a permanent type of contraceptive,
meaning that it works to protect against pregnancy forever. It should
only be used by adult women who are absolutely sure that they do not want
more or any children. It usually cannot be reversed. It costs between
$1000-$2500, but this amount can be looked at as contraception for
the rest of your life.
There are several different methods of female sterilization that all involve minor surgery, usually through a small incision in the abdomen. The surgery is usually done with general anesthesia, meaning that you will not be awake during the surgery. Some types of female sterilization use local anesthesia, so that you don't feel anything just around the area of the incision. All methods close or cut the fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry the eggs from your ovary to the uterus) so that your partner's sperm cannot move through them to fertilize one of your eggs. The method that you decide on with your health care provider will be based on your medical needs and when you decide to have the sterilization done. (Some women are sterilized right after childbirth or an abortion, while many others choose another time.)
Tubal
ligation: A piece of the fallopian tube is cut and tied
or stitched with suture material. This is usually done right after
childbirth.
Sterilization
using electrical current: An electrical current is used
to burn and destroy the fallopian tube after it has been cut. The
surgeon will make a tiny cut in your abdomen and insert an instrument
with a 5 millimeter telescope (called a laparoscope) to find the fallopian
tubes. Another instrument is used to apply the electrical current.
Sterilization done with an electrical current cannot be reversed.
Silicone
band (tubal ring): The surgeon will make a tiny cut and
insert a laparoscope. Through the laparoscope, he/she will insert
a special device that stretches an elastic band, picks up a small
loop of the fallopian tube, and places the elastic band over the
loop. The tube will then be clamped shut.
Spring
clips: There are two types that can be used. One, shaped
like a clothespin, is placed over the fallopian tube and is held
closed by its spring clip. It is inserted through a tiny cut with
the use of a laparoscope and is put in place with a special tool.
The
other type is a rounded clamp, which is closed over the fallopian
tube. The clamp's plastic liner gets bigger to keep the tube closed
as the tube flattens. It is inserted through a tiny cut with the
use of a laparoscope.
How effective is female sterilization?
Female sterilization is one of the best methods of birth control available. It is 99% effective. This means that if 100 women get female sterilization, 1 woman will become pregnant in a year.
Female sterilization does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. A few women may get pregnant after the operation. There is a higher risk of a pregnancy in your fallopian tube, rather than in your uterus, after a sterilization procedure.
Are there any problems with female sterilization?
A very small number of women may have more pain with their menstrual periods after sterilization. If you have any of the following, contact your health care provider:
What if I decide after I have sterilization that I want to get pregnant?
Female sterilization is a good option only for some women. Female sterilization is a good idea for older adolescents and young adult women that have a very serious medical condition so they can't have children, prefer not to have children, or can't use contraception that is not permanent. Female sterilization is also a good method for older women that are absolutely sure they do not want any more children.
If you do decide that you want to get pregnant after your tubes have been cut and tied, you may be able to have your tubes rejoined. The surgery to reverse the sterilization is major and is only about 70% successful. Less than 1% of women get their tubes rejoined, since women are very certain that they do not want any more children when they receive sterilization. Insurance will not pay for reversal of female sterilization.
Updated 5/12/2005
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