Female Surgical Sterilization

Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control. To avert pregnancy, the female egg and the male sperm should be prevented from fusing. This can be done in women through two female sterilization methods; tubal ligation (surgical) and hysteroscopic sterilization, an essure procedure (non-surgical). Tubal ligation is considered to be a safe, reliable and highly effective form of female sterilization. The surgery is done to close a woman’s fallopian tubes. Two common methods of tubal ligation are:

Minilaparotomy: It involves making a small incision in the abdomen. The fallopian tubes are brought to the incision in order to be cut or blocked. The purpose of the procedure is to obstruct the fallopian tubes. Mini laparotomy is easier when done right after childbirth (post-partum period). It can also be done as a non-pregnancy related procedure. Minilaparotomy is considered to be a quick, highly effective, safe outpatient procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia.

Laparoscopy: It involves making a small incision just under the navel and inserting small, thin instruments to perform the procedure. Also termed as 'getting your tubes tied', herein a woman’s fallopian tubes are cut, clamped, blocked or tied with rings, bands or clips to prevent her eggs from traveling down to the uterus from the ovary. The procedure also restricts the male sperm from reaching the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg. An outpatient surgery which is done by administering local anesthesia, the patient may return home the same day and resume normal activities after a week. Slight stomach or shoulder pain, feeling dizzy, nauseated, bloated or gassy are possible symptoms that are likely to last for a few days after the surgical procedure.