Had enough?

If you’re considering sterilisation be sure you never want children or will never want more children. There is an operation to reverse sterilisation, but it is complicated, expensive and may not work.

It’s worth taking time to think through all the issues. Think the unthinkable: would a new lifestyle, partner or situation change your mind? Although by law you don’t need your partner’s consent, it’s a difficult decision to make alone and doctors often prefer a couple to have counselling together. Obviously, after sterilisation has worked you never have to do anything about contraception. The disadvantage for women is that sterilisation involves an operation usually under general anaesthetic.

The Procedure

For sterilisation, the fallopian tubes are cut or blocked. The surgeon may seal them (cauterization), tie them (ligation) or apply clips or rings.

The operation can be done in several ways:

• Laparoscopy You will be given a general anaesthetic, or possibly a local anaesthetic. A doctor will make two tiny cuts, one just below your navel, the other just above the bikini line. A laparoscope, with special instruments attached, will be inserted into your abdomen to tie or block your fallopian tubes using clips or rings.
• Mini-laparotomy You will usually have a general anaesthetic. The doctor will make a small cut in your abdomen, usually just below the bikini line, to reach your fallopian tubes to tie or block them.

The time you stay in hospital after sterilisation depends on the anaesthetic and the type of operation you had. It can be as little as one day. If you have a general anaesthetic you may be uncomfortable for a few days. Some slight bleeding and pain is normal and you may have to take things easy for a week or so. You can have sex as soon as it is comfortable but you must use contraception until you have your first period after the sterilisation.

How effective is sterilisation? The tubes that carry the eggs in women can rejoin after sterilisation. The risk is slight and the overall failure rate is about 1 in 200. If you become pregnant after sterilisation, there is a small risk of the pregnancy developing outside your womb. An ectopic pregnancy is rare, but they are serious and you should see your doctor straightaway if you think you might be pregnant.

For more information visit: The Family Planning Association website or ring their helpline on 0845 3101334