by Christina McCreedy

Created on: November 01, 2008

Tubal sterilization involves the closing off of a woman's fallopian tubes, which prevents a woman's egg from reaching her uterus, thereby preventing sperm from reaching a woman's egg.

There are various methods of tubal sterilization today, the most popular being tubal ligation. During a tubal ligation the fallopian tubes are cut and tied. Some other methods are cauterization of the fallopian tubes or clamping off of the fallopian tubes with a clamp or a ring.

There is some risk involved in this method of sterilization but it it usually perfomed as an outpatient procedure. Recovery time varies by each individual - for myself I was back up and on my feet the same day it was one of the easiest procedures I've ever had done.

Benefits to Tubal Ligation:

1. High Success Rate

2. People who smoke don't have the elevated risk of hormonal birth control

3. No change in normal behavior patterns for women - you will still have your period each month and there is no hormone replacement therapy needed.

4. Usually a permanent method of birth control requiring no further follow up.

Disadvantages

1. If ineffective or tubes grow back together can lead to ectopic pregnancy

2. Low rate of successful reversals for those who later decide that they want children

3. Slight Risks involved in having a medical procedure done

4. Tubal Sterilization does not protect against the risk of STD's

One other negative I will note and is a circumstance I have seen repeatedly among my women friends - many doctors will try to put you off of having a tubal sterilization procedure if you are under 30 and only have one or two children.

There is a divide right now in the medical community regarding whether there is such a things as Post-Tubal Ligation Syndrome. Some doctors and patients believe that this procedure leads to changed painful periods, bleeding in mid-cycle or the absence of any period at all. Other doctors declare there is no such syndrome and that there is no data to back up these allegations. I personally have been reading up on this syndrome as I have had some of the above mentioned problems since my sterilization was performed.

Before deciding upon a Tubal Sterilization research into it heavily, if there is the slightest chance you may later want a child I urge you NOT to have this procedure done. On the other hand if you're done having children and in a monogamous relationship this could be the perfect procedure for you. Many women report a feeling of freedom from worry and improved sexual relations when the fear of becoming pregnant is removed from your sex-life.

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