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 Medical
information
Tubal occlusion
Tubal occlusion, commonly known as “having your tubes tied”, is a permanent method of birth control for women. It is achieved by an operation to permanently block both fallopian tubes. This prevents sperm from fertilising an egg.
Advantages of tubal occlusion:
- Tubal occlusion is a more reliable and permanent method
of contraception than some other methods, e.g., diaphragms
and intra-uterine devices (IUDs).
- The woman does not have to remember to take a contraceptive pill every day.
- The woman has no hormonal side effects, as may occur with the contraceptive
pill, or other hormonal treatments.
- Tubal occlusion does not upset the menstrual bleeding pattern (although bleeding may be heavier than periods produced by the contraceptive pill)
- There are no chemicals or devices to put in or take out
at the time of sexual intercourse (e.g., a diaphragm or
female condom).
- There are no on-going costs, as there are with some other methods of contraception.
The decision to have tubal occlusion
A woman should consider tubal occlusion only if she is certain
that she does not want to have any more children. She should
think about such circumstances as the death of her spouse
or a child, and the possibility of a divorce or remarriage.
Younger women are more likely to regret their decision to
have a tubal occlusion.
Although surgical reversal of tubal occlusion is possible
in some cases, there is no guarantee that a surgical reversal
will always be successful and that a pregnancy will follow.
Also, a reversal can be expensive (currently no medicare or
private health fund rebate considered to be equivalent to
"cosmetic surgery" by government and private health
funds). If you think that you are likely to want a reversal
at some time in the future, then tubal occlusion is not the
right birth-control option for you.
A decision about tubal occlusion should be made after discussion
with your gynaecologist.
The information above is reproduced from 'TUBAL OCCLUSION
AND VASECTOMY - a guide about Female and Male sterilisation',
published by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Mi-tec Medical Publishing.
The complete pamphlet is available from your doctor.
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