What it involves
The fallopian tubes are closed, cut or blocked so that an egg cannot travel down to meet sperm. It is a surgical procedure, and your doctor will explain exactly how yours would be done, where, and what the recovery looks like.
It does not change your hormones. It is not the menopause, and it does not stop your periods.
Before you decide
Treat this as permanent. Reversal is not always possible, is not always successful, and is not something to count on. The people who regret sterilization are usually the ones who were talked into it or who decided in a hard moment.
It is worth being honest with yourself about your age, your relationship, and whether anything could change your mind. If there is any doubt, a long-acting reversible method gives you years of protection and leaves the door open.
What it does not do
- It does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Only condoms do that.
- It does not affect your desire for sex or your enjoyment of it.
- It does not stop your periods.
- It is not completely without risk, and no procedure is completely without failure. Your doctor will go through both with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is tubal ligation reversible?
Treat it as permanent. Reversal surgery exists but it is not always possible, not always successful, and not something to plan around. If you might want children later, choose a reversible method instead.
Will it change my periods or my hormones?
No. Your ovaries keep working as before, so your hormones and your cycle carry on as normal.
What is the recovery like?
That depends on how the procedure is done in your case. Your doctor will tell you what to expect, how long to rest and when you can go back to normal activity.
Do I need my partner’s permission?
No. This is your decision about your own body.
