What is tubal ligation?

It is a form of birth control. It is a procedure for women who no longer wish to conceive or bear children sexually. It is a surgical procedure and it involves clipping or sealing the fallopian tubes to avoid passage of eggs from the ovary to the uterus where it can be fertilized. This is a permanent surgery and  it can not be reversed once it has been carried out. Before you consider ligating your fallopian tubes, be sure that you do not have plans to have anymore kids.

How Tubal ligation works

The fallopian tube is blocked with a small cut, clamp, tie or band. The fallopian tubes are on both sides of the uterus and act as a passage way for the unfertilized eggs from the ovaries to pass into the uterus for fertilization. This procedure prevents the meeting of the eggs and sperm and automatically prevents pregnancy.

Tubal ligation can be carried out:

* After a caesarean section or vaginal birth

*Any other time outside pregnancy and delivery

Types of Tubal Ligation

Laparoscopy

This is the most common approach. A small incision is made near the belly button, and a thin, lighted tube with a camera (laparoscope) is inserted. Surgical instruments are then introduced through other small incisions to access and manipulate the fallopian tubes. An electric current is used to cauterize (burn) and seal the fallopian tubes. Then small silicone bands are placed around the fallopian tubes to block them. Metal clips are applied to the blocked fallopian tubes to close them off.

Benefits:

• 1. It is a less  invasive with smaller incisions and faster recovery.

2. It is  often  performed as an outpatient procedure.

Mini laparotomy

 Mini laparotomy is a slightly larger incision that is made below the belly button, allowing direct access to the fallopian tubes. It adopts  techniques  similar to the techniques used in laparoscopy. This is a  preferred alternative  in certain cases where laparoscopy is not feasible.

Postpartum Tubal Ligation

This is performed immediately after vaginal delivery or during a cesarean section while the woman is already under anesthesia. It is convenient and may reduce the overall number of surgical procedures.

Advantages of tubal ligation

It is  permanent:

Once the procedure has been completed, there is no need to rely on any other form of contraceptive.

It is highly effective:

It has a failure rate of less than 1% and as such, occurrence of pregnancy is near impossible.

Zero effect on the hormones:

It has no effect on the hormones. It also would not cause side effects like induced menopause, mood swings, weight gain or spotting.

It has chances of lowering the risk of ovarian cancer:

Research is working to show that the procedure lowers the risk of ovarian cancer. 

Demerits of tubal ligation

1.It is irreversible

 While tubal reversal surgery is possible, it is complex, expensive, and not always successful.

2.It does not protect against STDs:

In cases of unprotected sex, preventive measures like condoms should be used to prevent against STDs.

3.There are possible risks of complications arising after the surgery.

Risks of tubal ligation

Some of the risks of tubal ligation includes:

--Bleeding

--Infection

--Damage to other organs or major blood vessels

--Side effects caused by anesthesia

--A fertilized egg that implants outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)

Make sure to see your  doctor if you notice any of these problems after your procedure:

1. A temperature over 100.4 F

2. Fainting

3. Vomiting or nausea

4. Redness or swelling around the wound

5. Severe pain that doesn’t go away

6. Bleeding through your bandage

7. Bad-smelling discharge from the wound

Side effects of tubal ligation

After the whole surgery, the patient may experience a few changes. Some of them include:

--Pain around the abdomen and pelvis

--Discomfort and irritation around the site of incision

--Bleeding from the vagina

--Dizziness and fainting

Some patients may even experience something known as  Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome.

Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome

This is not common with all the patients of tubal ligation. Some of its presenting symptoms includes:

--Pain around the abdomen and pelvis

--Signs and symptoms of menopause

--Period cramps

--Headaches

--Pain during sexual intercourse

Conclusion

The process of tubal ligation is safe and pain free as you would be placed under anesthesia during the procedure. Tubal ligation woul not stop your period from coming because your ovaries are still active and eggs are released. 

The choice of carrying out a tubal ligation should be thoroughly agreed upon by the couple before the process is being carried out.