Tubal ligation
About this test
Tubal ligation is a type of permanent birth control. It's also known as having your tubes tied or tubal sterilization. During this surgery, the fallopian tubes most often are cut and tied to prevent pregnancy for the rest of your life. Tubal ligation prevents an egg from moving from the ovaries and down to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. It also blocks sperm from traveling up the fallopian tubes to the egg. The procedure doesn't affect your menstrual cycle.
Why it's done
Tubal ligation is one of the most common surgeries for permanent birth control in women. Once you get the procedure, you no longer need to use any type of birth control pill or device to prevent pregnancy. But it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Tubal ligation also may lower the risk of ovarian cancer. This risk may fall even more if the fallopian tubes are completely removed. These surgeries seem to lower the risk of ovarian cancer because the disease often appears to start in the fallopian tubes, rather than in the ovaries. Tubal ligation and salpingectomy aren't right for everyone. Talk with a member of your health care team to make sure you fully understand the risks and benefits of the procedure. Your health care professional also might talk to you about other options. For example, some types of birth control last for years and can be removed if you decide to get pregnant. These include an intrauterine device (IUD) that's placed in the uterus or a small implant that's placed under the skin of the upper arm.
Risks and complications
Tubal ligation is a surgery that involves making one or more small cuts in the lower stomach area, also called lower abdomen. The procedure uses medicine that keeps you from feeling pain, called anesthesia. Risks linked with tubal ligation include: Damage to the bowel, bladder or major blood vessels. Reaction to anesthesia. Improper wound healing or infection. Ongoing pain in the pelvis or abdomen. Bleeding from incisions. Rarely, an unwanted pregnancy in the future if the procedure doesn't work. Things that make you more likely to have complications from tubal ligation include: Past surgery through the abdomen or pelvis. History of ruptured appendix. Endometriosis. Obesity. Diabetes.
How to prepare
Before you have a tubal ligation, your health care professional will likely ask you about your reasons for wanting permanent birth control. Together, you'll also likely talk about factors that could make you regret the decision. These include young age and a change in relationship status. Your health care professional also reviews the following with you: Risks and benefits of reversible and permanent methods of birth control. Details of the procedure. Causes and likelihood of the procedure not working. Ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including use of condoms. The best time to do the procedure. For instance, if you're pregnant, you can get a tubal ligation shortly after you have your baby, whether you have a vaginal delivery or C-section. If you do not plan to have a tubal ligation right after childbirth or during a C-section, use birth control until the time of your tubal ligation procedure.
What to expect
Tubal ligation or fallopian tube removal can be done: The day after giving birth through the vagina. During a C-section once the baby is delivered. After an abortion. Anytime you want outside of a pregnancy.
Understanding your results
In general, tubal ligation is a safe and effective form of permanent birth control. But it doesn't work for everyone. Fewer than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant in the first year after the procedure. The younger you are at the time that the surgery is done, the more likely it won't work. If a salpingectomy or complete removal of the tubes is done, pregnancy will not occur. If you do conceive after a tubal ligation, there's a risk that the fertilized egg could attach to tissue outside of the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. It needs to be treated right away, and the pregnancy cannot continue to birth. If you think you're pregnant at any time after a tubal ligation, call your health care team at once. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is lower if both fallopian tubes are removed. A tubal ligation may be able to be reversed if part of the tubes are left in. But the reversal procedure is complex, costly and it might not work. Surgery to fully remove the fallopian tubes cannot be reversed.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.