by Nicole Evans M.D.

Created on: August 16, 2009   Last Updated: January 26, 2010

Tubal ligation is a very popular form of birth control in the United States. The fallopian tubes are the conduit between the ovaries and the uterus. When the fallopian tubes are ligated the path is disrupted and the egg can no longer get fertilized by sperm and make its way to the uterus.

Tubal ligation can be done during a c-section when the female reproductive organs are easily available. Tubal ligation done at this time is often significantly less expensive than the other option, interval tubal ligation. With interval tubal ligation the procedure is done in the interval after a pregnancy. This option is often a simple laproscopic procedure, rather than an open surgery.

Tubal ligation results in permanent sterilization and requires no additional effort from the woman once it has been completed. This makes it a great choice of birth control for women who are done bearing children.

However, there are alternatives to tubal ligation that are less expensive and significantly less invasive. Women who are interested in alternatives to tubal ligation that still offer the benefit of long-term birth control with minimal personal effort may find the Copper IUD (also called Paraguard) to be a good option.

The Copper intrauterine device (IUD) provides effective birth control for up to 10 years and possibly longer. It is inserted through the cervix and remains in place till a woman chooses to have it removed by her physician. The Copper IUD has the additional benefit of being hormone free.

A similar method of contraception is the Levonorgestrel IUD (also called Mirena). The Mirena IUD provides about 5 years of birth control. Mirena is placed and removed like any other IUD. Though this form of birth control is based on hormone effects, it creates only local effects of progesterone in the uterus and cervix, rather than systemic hormonal effects.

A recent addition to the long-term, easy-to-use birth control family is Implanon. This is a tiny rod placed in the skin of the upper arm. Implanon provides about 3 years of contraception. Implanon takes only a few minutes to put in and must be removed at the end of the 3 years. This implant utilizes the release of progestin into the body in order to provide birth control, similar to the progesterone-only birth control pills but require significantly less user effort.

There are several other alternatives to tubal ligation, but these additional alternatives are less similar to tubal ligation than the above options. Speak with your doctor for more information about the option that seems right for you.

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