Tubal Ligation
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- What is it?
- How does it work?
- How effective is it in preventing pregnancy?
- What are the advantages?
- What are the disadvantages?
What is it?
Tubal ligation (also known as "having your tubes tied") is a surgical procedure
to permanently close or block a woman's fallopian tubes. This procedure is
considered a permanent method of contraception because reversal is costly,
difficult and not guaranteed.
How does it work?
In tubal ligation the two fallopian tubes, which transport a woman's eggs from
the ovaries to the uterus, are blocked or disconnected. This makes it impossible
for sperm to meet and fertilize an egg.
How effective is it in preventing pregnancy?
- Female sterilization is considered 99.5% effective in preventing
pregnancy
- What are the advantages?
- Extremely effective in preventing pregnancy
- Permanent
- Does not interfere with intercourse
- No significant long-term side effects
What are the disadvantages?
- Considered a permanent procedure and difficult to have reversed
- May regret decision in the future
- Possible risks of surgery include: reaction to anaesthesia, bleeding, infection,
or damage to organs in the pelvis (bowels, bladder, blood vessels)
- Short-term side effects after surgery may include abdominal and shoulder
discomfort, bruising, bleeding, or infection at the incision site
- If pregnancy does occur, there is a risk that it will be an ectopic pregnancy
(the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube)
- Does not protect against
sexually transmitted
infections
Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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