Tubal ligation

Definition

Tubal ligation is surgery to close a woman's fallopian tubes, the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. The procedure is commonly known as "tying the tubes."

Normally, a woman's fallopian tubes moves eggs from the ovary to the uterusabout once a month. If a man's sperm meets up with an egg, pregnancy can result. If the tubes are closed, or "tied," sperm cannot fertilize an egg, and pregnancy will not occur.

Tubal ligation makes a woman permanently sterile (unable to get pregnant).

Alternative Names

Sterilization surgery - female; Tubal sterilization; Tube tying; Tying the tubes

Indications

Tubal ligation may be recommended for adult women who are certain that they do not want to get pregnant in the future.

While sterilization is very popular, some women who choose to have the procedure regret their decision later. The younger the woman, the more likely it is that she will regret having her tubes tied.

Tubal ligation is considered apermanent form of birth control. It is NOT recommended as a temporary or reversible procedure. However,the operation can sometimes be reversed if a woman later chooses to become pregnant.But, this requires a major surgical procedure.About 50 - 80% of womenwho havetubal ligation reversed eventually become pregnant.

Convalescence

Most women are told to avoid strenuous exercise for several days.Pain medicine usually helps relieve discomfort. Most women are able to return to work within a few days. You may have sexual intercourseas soon as you feel ready, usually within a week.

Expectations after surgery

Most women recover with no problems. There are no tests required to check for sterility (to make sure the procedure will prevent pregnancy in the future).

Risks

Risksfor tubal ligation include:

  • Incomplete closure of the tubes, which could result inwoman getting pregnant in the future -- approximately 1 out of 200 women who have had tubal ligationget pregnant later
  • Increased risk of an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy if pregnancy occurs after a tubal ligation
  • Injury to nearby organs or structures caused by surgical instruments

Risks due to anesthesia include:

Risks of any surgery include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
Tubal ligation
Tubal ligation
Tubal ligation - series
Tubal ligation - series
Review Date: 6/6/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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