Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is the most prevalent birth control method with approximately 33 percent of married women choosing the procedure. It is also the most permanent method of female sterilization, short of a hysterectomy and an oophorectomy, of course.

Tubal Ligation Explained

More popularly called "tying the tubes", this procedure involves closing the fallopian tubes through which the ovum travels to the uterus. There are three different ways to accomplish this, namely, pinching off the tubes in a U-shaped loop, electrocauterizing and tying off the ends of the tubes.

Also, it can be done in three surgical methods. First, in laparoscopy, surgical tools and a viewing instrument are inserted into small abdominal incisions in order to tie off the tubes. Second, in a laparotomy, larger abdominal incisions are made, thus, its name as an open tubal ligation. And third, postpartum tubal ligation is performed soon after childbirth, often within 24-36 hours after normal delivery. If the delivery was through Caesarian section, it is performed immediately since the abdomen is already opened.

In all instances, the doctor can choose either a general anesthetic or a regional anesthetic. Usually, a gynecologist performs the operation although a general surgeon and/or a family medicine doctor are also qualified. Depending on the case, it may be on an outpatient or an inpatient basis.

Benefits

As previously mentioned, this is a permanent form of birth control. This is its primary advantage for women who have no desire to produce more children for various reasons.

Other advantages include:

• Recovery time is very fast especially for outpatient cases, with patients instructed to go home within the day, if not within the same hour. As such, patients can return to normal activities within a week although, like vasectomy, strenuous physical activities must be avoided for at least 4 weeks.

• The risks of getting pregnant are very slim and only under extreme circumstances like an undetected pregnancy or when the tubes reconnect.

• Common side effects are very minor, which are often limited to abdominal pain, fatigue, gassiness, nausea, dizziness, and shoulder pain. All these will usually go away within a few days and with medication.

• There is absolutely no need for other birth control methods like condoms although patients are advised to refrain from engaging in sex for at least a week after surgery.

Indeed, tubal ligation must be seriously considered by women who don't wish to increase the human population now and in the future.

Disadvantages

However, there are disadvantages. Although these banes are relatively minor and lesser in occurrence in comparison with its benefits, these deserve attention.

For one thing, tubal ligation is more expensive than a vasectomy. Expect to pay as much as 3-4 times the cost for vasectomy, with prices ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.

For another thing, it is a major surgery compared to vasectomy, hence, carries with it greater risks. Serious complications include heavy blood loss and organ injury. Plus, the mortality rate for ligation is higher at 4 per every 100,000 operations whereas vasectomy only has .1 per 100,000.

Thus, the best advice when contemplating tubal ligation is to always consult with a licensed medical practitioner. This way, your health will always be safeguarded before, during and after a tubal ligation procedure.