Getting Your Tubes Tied - Is It Right For You?

One form of birth control that is extremely effective - but quite dramatic - is tubal ligation. Tubal ligation is commonly known to most people as "getting your tubes tied" and it is a relatively easy procedure whereby the woman is surgically sterilized. During this surgical procedure, the woman's fallopian tubes are closed, stopping any eggs from travelling to the uterus from the ovary. This prevents sperm from getting to the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg. The surgery is effective immediately after it is done and it is 99.5% effective as a form of birth control. It does not, however, protect against sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

The Tubal Ligation Procedure

This procedure is done as out-patient surgery in a clinic, doctor's office or hospital. It is done either with local or general anesthesia. There are a number of different ways that this surgery is done. It can be done as mini-laparotomies and laparoscopies or as laparotomy, culpotomy, culdoscopy, hysteroscopy and hysterectomy. It is important to discuss your options with your doctor, as each procedure carries its own risks and benefits. There can be a wait from the time that you decide you want this surgery to the actual performance of it. You will want to discuss other short term birth control options with your doctor while you wait for the surgery to be done. If you are a younger woman, or someone with no children, you may find it difficult to convince a doctor to perform this surgery on you.

After the Surgery

After the surgery is performed, you usually need to take two to three days off to rest and recuperate. You should continue to perform only light activities for approximately a week. Usually after about a week, you may resume sexual activities. If your surgery was performed through the vagina, it is recommended that you not put anything into your vagina, such as a tampon, or have sexual contact, for about two weeks. This is in order to avoid infection.

Risks to Your Health

Although pregnancy is highly unlikely after a tubal ligation, it is possible. You do run the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy if you were to become pregnant. This can be very dangerous and require immediately medical attention. Similarly, if you have the tubal ligation reversed and try to become pregnant, you run a higher risk than normal of having an ectopic pregnancy. You may also experience abnormal bleeding and bladder infections from tubal ligations. Each specific type of surgery also runs its own risks and should be discussed with your physician.

Tubal Ligation Reversal

While it is possible to reverse the tubal ligation, the surgery is considered permanent as a method of birth control, unlike many other birth control methods. The surgery is not always effective and the reversal will be both difficult and expensive.

Tubal ligation is a more complicated procedure than is a vasectomy. If you are in a long-term relationship, you may want to discuss your options with your partner before undergoing a tubal ligation. While it is a very effective form of birth control, it is relatively permanent, can be complicated, and does not protect against STDs and infections. Make sure that you have all the facts before making a decision about tubal ligation.