With multiple common methods of contraceptives available, it can be quite difficult to understand which method will work best for you. But if you are sure that you and your partner do not want to have any more children naturally, permanent sterilization is one of the best options to pick. It is also an advisable choice to avoid pregnancy if you are suffering from a life-threatening medical condition. Permanent sterilization can be done in both men and women and is called vasectomy and tubal occlusion respectively. Permanent sterilization in women involves cutting or blocking of the fallopian tubes to avoid sperms from reaching the eggs. These methods cannot be reversed if you change your mind to have children later so be sure to think things through before taking a call.

Advantages of permanent sterilization in women

• It is the safest among the common methods of contraceptives. There are no side effects associated with this procedure.
• They are 99% effective in avoiding pregnancy with an extremely low failure rate.
• It is the most convenient once the procedure is complete. You don’t have to take steps every day, week or month and it is cost-effective in the long term.
• It reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Keeps the worries of unwanted pregnancy away from women.

Disadvantages of permanent sterilization in women

• The procedure is irreversible in women wanting to have another baby.
• They increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy or a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus.
• Sterilization does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STI) or AIDS. If you have multiple sexual partners, you need to continue to use condoms to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
• In rare cases, there is a 1% chance where fallopian tubes may reconnect and lead to the possibility of a pregnancy.
• There could be chances of internal bleeding and infections, but again, this is a rare condition.

Types of female sterilization

• Laparotomy: It is usually done soon after a woman gives birth, where the fallopian tubes are close to the abdominal wall. In this procedure, an incision is made and the fallopian tubes are cut or sealed with stitches, clips or bands.
• Laparoscopy: Female sterilization can also be done laparoscopically. It involves smaller incisions, less pain, and a shorter recovery period. A long thin tube called the laparoscope allows the surgeon to see into the abdomen through small incisions. Long, thin instruments are used to cut the fallopian tubes to seal them with clips or bands.
• Hysteroscopic Sterilization: This type of sterilization can be done in the clinic using a long flexible tube called a hysteroscope. It is used to insert a tiny set of coils through the vagina and cervix into the fallopian tubes. The coils remain in place since the scar tissue eventually forms around them, blocking the tubes. A backup form of birth control needs to be used for a minimum of 3 months while the scar tissue is forming. You can stop taking birth controls when an X-ray confirms the blockage is complete.

If you are considering these procedures, a gynecologist needs to be consulted, who will study your individual case history and fully inform you about the risk and benefits of the procedure. The doctor will also explain what to expect before, during, and after it.