Female sterilization: What are your thoughts?

I’m looking for some honest feedback from anyone who’s actually gone through this procedure (this specific contraceptive method)... what exactly does it entail? Are there any age requirements or limits for women? How reliable is it, really—what kind of success rate are we talking about? Also, is it painful? I’m trying to figure out if the whole process is straightforward or if it’s a major ordeal.

Tubal ligation isn't contraception; it's sterilization. I think you’re missing the fundamental distinction here: contraception is meant to be temporary, whereas sterilization is permanent. Once you undergo the procedure, if everything goes according to plan, you aren't having children ever again.

Alexander Lewis said:Tubal ligation isn't contraception; it's sterilization. You clearly don't grasp the distinction: contraception provides temporary protection, whereas sterilization is permanent. Once you're sterilized, you can't get pregnant ever again—assuming the procedure was performed correctly.

As usual, we have misinformation being spread here.👎
Tubal ligation is indeed classified as a method of contraception, and it doesn't offer a 100% guarantee against pregnancy. Even when the surgery is handled perfectly according to medical standards, there remains a tiny, albeit existing, failure rate of about 0.4% due to potential fallopian tube recanalization. A woman undergoing this procedure must be warned of that possibility. This is an elective request typically considered for individuals over the age of 35.

Thanks so much for the helpful info!

redbadger26 said:The usual misinformation.👎
Tubal ligation is a contraceptive method, and let’s be clear: it isn't 100% foolproof. There is a very slim—but real—chance of pregnancy if the fallopian tubes undergo recanalization, even when the procedure is performed perfectly by a specialist. Any woman considering this needs to be warned about that tiny margin of error. Generally, this is done upon request for patients over 35.

As per usual, the New Yorker thinks her narrow view of the world, viewed through a cardboard tube, constitutes total knowledge. It's a bit much to insult someone just because they have a broader perspective than you do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control
under "Sterilization"
In women, the process may be referred to as "tying the tubes," but the fallopian tubes may be tied, cut, clamped, or blocked. This serves to prevent sperm from joining the unfertilized egg. The non-surgical sterilization procedure, Essure, is an example of a procedure that blocks the tubes. Sterilization should be considered permanent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubal_ligation
It might be possible to attempt to reconnect the tubes via a new surgery.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002913.htm
Tubal ligation makes a woman permanently sterile

Tubal ligation isn't even 100% foolproof... my OB-GYN professor actually explained why... But whatever, I don't remember a single damn thing from that lecture, probably because we always had those classes first thing in the morning 😬

I’m in my early 30s now. Due to several different factors, various forms of contraception simply aren't an option for me. I have two children and zero miscarriages. That number isn't going to change, because abortion is not a solution I am willing to consider. I would rather have ten more children than end a single life. At the end of the day, they are the fruit of the love between my husband and me. 🙂 However, I don't want any more children. That leaves me with only one remaining option: sterilization. So, I went to see Petrov, and their response was—nothing before age 35. 🙄 (So now, I'm just counting down the days until I hit thirty-five...) My specific situation doesn't seem to concern them at all (since my reasons aren't strictly medical), nor do they seem to care about my feelings or my autonomy—because I firmly believe that deciding on sterilization is a woman's right regarding her own body.
What are your thoughts on this?
And if there are any women here who have undergone sterilization, please, I would love to hear about your experience.

wiredcyclist53 said:I'm in my early 30s. For various reasons, I can't use different types of birth control. I have two kids and zero miscarriages. That number isn't going to change because a miscarriage is never an option for me. Honestly, I’d rather have ten children than lose a single one. Every child is a fruit of the love between me and my husband. 🙂 But, I simply don't want any more kids. So, sterilization feels like my only path left—except when I went to Mayo Clinic, they told me, "Not until you're 35." 🙄 (So now I'm just counting down the days until that birthday...) My specific issues—which aren't medical, per se—don't seem to matter to them, nor do my feelings or my decision. To me, deciding to undergo sterilization is a woman making a fundamental choice about her own body.
What are your thoughts?
And if there are any women here who have been sterilized, please share your experience.

Why on God's green earth wouldn't you just get a Mirena coil? I'm assuming your reasoning is religious, but from a Christian perspective, http://www.covermagazin.com/metode_kontracepcije-sterilizacija.htm';]sterilization[/URL] is just as much of a sin as using condoms, taking oral contraceptives, or anything else. It's essentially the same thing as an abortion because you are actively preventing God's will from unfolding.
If you hold more liberal views and believe a woman should have absolute autonomy over her own body, then I'd suggest looking into less invasive contraceptive methods first. A Mirena is definitely one of those. Plus, it would reduce your periods to almost nothing, which, if you ask me, is a massive win.

Angela Wright said:Why on earth don't you just get an hormonal IUD? I’m guessing your reasons are religious—which is fine—but honestly, looking at it from a Christian perspective, http://www.covermagazin.com/metode_kontracepcije-sterilizacija.htm';]sterilization[/URL] is basically the same sin as using condoms, taking birth control pills, or anything else. It all ends up being the same thing because you're essentially trying to block God's will.
Now, if you lean more towards those liberal views where you believe a woman should have total autonomy over her own body—in the truest sense of the phrase—then I’d suggest going with something less invasive. A hormonal IUD is definitely one of those options. Plus, it basically turns your period into a non-issue, which, let's be honest, is a huge win.

Well, I actually thought about that too—I even brought up the IUD with my OB-GYN—but apparently, they won't clear women for it if there are other underlying health issues involved. Since it's packed with hormones, it's pretty much the same deal as the pill, just delivered into your system through a different route.

Carol Hill66 said:I actually had the exact same thought and even brought up the Mirena with my OB-GYN. Apparently, they won't prescribe it to women dealing with certain other health issues because it's loaded with hormones—just like birth control pills, only the delivery method into the body is different.

It looks like m was actually saying she doesn't have underlying medical conditions, just other types of concerns.
The phrase "loaded with hormones" sounds a bit "unrefined," if you know what I mean. For women who previously relied on oral contraceptive pills as their best option, the Mirena is often recommended as the superior alternative. Its profile is well-researched, and the specific type and dosage of hormones are engineered so that the benefits to women far outweigh any potential downsides.

I honestly don't get it—you're totally against abortion, yet you'd go through with sterilization.
Look, fair enough, I guess everyone has their own reasons. As for the doctors, I'm not sure if it's a legal thing or what, but
it makes sense that they won't just perform a sterilization on a whim.
A friend of mine actually had her tubes tied during her third C-section; she was 37 at the time, which I assume was a pretty solid reason. Otherwise, Mirena is actually great.👍

Carol Parker said:I don't quite get this either—you're totally against abortion, yet you'd consider getting sterilized.

Actually, that makes perfect sense to me if someone just doesn't want any more kids, or doesn't want them at all!
Most other birth control methods just aren't 100% foolproof,
unless you count abstinence,😁 but let's be real, that's not exactly a practical lifestyle choice for everyone!😉

Angela Wright said:Why on earth don't you just get an IUD? If it's a religious thing, fine, but from a Christian perspective, http://www.covermagazin.com/metode_kontracepcije-sterilizacija.htm';]sterilization[/URL] is just as much of a sin as using condoms or birth control pills. It all boils down to the same thing: interfering with God's will.
If you hold more liberal views and believe a woman should have total autonomy over her own body, then I’d suggest something less invasive. An IUD is definitely one of those options. Plus, it basically turns your period into a non-issue, which is a huge win in my book.

I was just reading about this... apparently, they usually don't recommend an IUD for women who haven't given birth. Angela Wright, do you happen to know if there's any chance a younger woman could actually get one? And what's the damage to the wallet?

brisklynx11 said:I was just reading... it says Mirena isn't usually given to women who haven't given birth. Angela Wright, do you happen to know what the odds are that they'd actually "approve" it for a younger girl? And how much does it run?

I haven't a clue🤷, but it definitely costs less than buying those pills every single month that run me $27. My doctor told me the same thing—that it’s typically inserted postpartum—but I didn't press her for more details. Once I have my baby, it’s going straight to the top of my list, especially now that I've found out it's recommended for women dealing with endometriosis, which I am the "lucky owner" of.
I assume the reason for waiting until after childbirth is simply because the uterus changes shape once you've delivered, making the insertion easier and less painful.

By the way, according to that link I posted above, even salpingectomy isn't a 100% guarantee. Apparently, the fallopian tubes can actually regenerate themselves.

jadesailor14 said:Honestly, I can only make sense of that logic if someone genuinely doesn't want more kids or wants none at all.
Every other contraceptive method out there just isn't 100% foolproof,
unless you count abstinence, 😁 but let's be real, that’s not exactly a lifestyle choice most people are looking for. 😉>

I get where they're coming from on that point, 😉 but it feels a bit contradictory—being terrified of having more children yet being strictly against abortion? Like, are we supposed to just pop out ten kids to solve the problem? It’s a weird way of thinking, I guess. But hey, maybe that's not even the main issue here.
Still, there are actual cases —seriously, —where women who were sterilized ended up having children anyway because men managed to father them. 🤷>

brisklynx11 said:I was just reading about Mirena... apparently they don't usually put it in women who haven't given birth yet. Angela Wright, any idea what the odds are that they might actually "approve" it for a younger girl? Also, what does it even cost?

I'd say somewhere between $800 and $333 I think that was the price last year.
Maybe check with a pharmacy since you have to buy it yourself and bring it to the clinic, but honestly, don't go buying anything until you've actually sat down with a doctor for an exam and some real info. From what I've heard, they really don't do them for women who haven't had kids.🤷

Carol Parker said:Somewhere between $800 and $333 I think, if I recall last year correctly
Just go ask at a CVS or Walgreens because you can pick it up and bring it home, but for heaven's sake, don't just go out and buy one before you actually sit down with a doctor to get a full exam and some real info. From what I've heard, they don't typically offer them to women who haven't given birth yet🤷

Man, that's a better deal than a pack of Bud Light, and it's nearly triple the value.

But seriously, what’s the actual damage for a sterilization procedure?

Angela Wright said:Man, if that's the case, it pays off way more than just grabbing a few Budweisers—we're talking almost triple the value here.

But honestly, what does sterilization actually cost?

An acquaintance of mine didn't have to pay a dime because she met all the criteria—three kids, obviously—over 35 years ago.
I guess sterilization is free, at least as far as I know, probably because it’s supposed to be handled strictly for medical reasons anyway.

I don't get why everyone's tearing her wife apart. Honestly, the reasons she gave seemed totally reasonable to me. She wasn't even bringing up religion, just her own personal beliefs, which aren't even that weird in my book...
But look, I'm not trying to play her lawyer here, so my question is:
If it's such an impossible thing for you, why wouldn't the husband just get a vasectomy?

Kate Foster30 said:I don't get why everyone is crucifying her. The reasons she gave seem perfectly logical to me; she didn't bring up religion at all, just her own personal convictions, which honestly don't strike me as weird or out of left field...
but since I'm not her defense attorney, here's my actual question:
If having kids is basically off the table for you, why wouldn't the husband just go through with a vasectomy?

That exact same thought crossed my mind.👍