Definitely it’s your life and your wish! So, for the women who are not willing to take the responsibility of any children or want to adopt one instead of conceiving, for them sterilization acts like a boon. But there are several factors which you must consider before opting for the sterilization process. That is why, here we are providing you a complete guide regarding female sterilization process
What does Studies say regarding female sterilization?
The survey which was carried out by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, says that around 27% of the American woman during their reproductive age opts for the female sterilization using it as a method of birth control. Around 12.5 million women voted female sterilization to be one of the effective processes in controlling childbirth. Also, usually black women are more prone in using the female sterilization process than the white women and the usage is 37% and 24% respectively. Female sterilization methods are more common in the developing countries and the age group of 40 to 44 years are more likely to use this than any other age groups. With 51% lead, the women from age group 42 to 44 show it as the primary birth control option.
Clearing out the concept of female sterilization
The female sterilization process usually seals or blocks the fallopian tubes in order to prevent the egg from stretching the uterus and also prevents the sperm so that they cannot fertilize the egg. As the fertilization of the egg is not promoted so pregnancy can’t take place. There are two types of female sterilization :
- Surgical sterilization
- Non surgical sterilization
The basic distinction between Surgical and Non-surgical sterilization process
Through the surgical procedure of sterilization, fallopian tubes are either sealed or cut. Is also known as the tubes getting tied and through laparoscopy the invasive surgery process is being carried out. This can also be done after a cesarean or vaginal delivery.
The non surgical procedures involve some devices for positioning them inside the fallopian tubes for sealing them. The device does not require any installation and can be inserted amidst the vagina and the uterus.
How the female sterilization is being carried out?
The common process of surgical sterilization is carried out through Tubal Ligation. While carrying out tubal ligation you would be first given anesthesia then your abdomen will be inflated with gas, after that a small incision would be made for accessing your reproductive organs with the help of laparoscopy. After that the fallopian tubes would be sealed.
The fallopian tubes can be sealed by three different ways:
- By removing the sections of your fallopian tubes
- The fallopian tubes can be blocked with the help of clips or bands
- Lastly the fallopian tubes can be cut and folded.
While, for non surgical sterilization a device is used which contains two tiny metal balls for fallopian tube occlusion. One metal ball is inserted into both the fallopian tubes from the vagina and the cervix. After that the tissues get surrounded and block the tubes.
But remember that the process of sterilization is cannot be performed in women who:
- Poses only one fallopian tube
- Has one or both the fallopian tubes closed or obstructed due to some unwanted reasons
- Are allergic from the contrast dye which are used during the X rays.
Recuperation from Female sterilization
The recovery or recuperation after the female sterilization process is usually fast.
After the process gets completed you should be monitored after every 15 minutes for a couple of hours in order to make sure that you are slowly recovering and to avoid any complications. Most females are discharged on the same day after a few hours. You can get back to a normal life in between 2 to 5 days. But remember to go for follow ups after one week.
Bursting Myths regarding female sterilization
#Myth 1. All the reproductive organs of a woman are being removed.
While carrying out the process of sterilization, your cervix, uterus and ovaries would be kept perfectly positioned. The surgeon will only have to deal with your fallopian tubes that are responsible for carrying the eggs to the uterus from the ovaries. Those fallopian tubes are only going to get cut or blocked.
#Myth 2. Female sterilization leads to cancer.
No, not at all! Female sterilization does not lead to cancer of your reproductive organs like cervix, ovaries or uterus. The sterilization procedure is not at all responsible for increasing the risk of cancers. However, not much research is being carried out for investigating the relation between cancer and female sterilization but as of now there is no such evidence on this myth.
#Myth 3. You are going to lose or gain weight.
Sterilization is not going to disfigure your body by promoting weight gain or weight loss. It does not cause any changes in your appearance, appetite or weight. If you tend to gain weight after the sterilization process then it is completely due to your lifestyle or other medications.
#Myth 4. You are going to loose your sex drive.
You are not going to lose your sexual ability or sex drive after sterilization. You should be feeling and looking the same as you were doing before the sterilization process. No loss or decrease in your sexual interest or sexual drive is going to happen. You can enjoy your sexual life in the same way as you did before. However, you can enjoy it much more after the sterilization as you need not have to worry about the safety precautions.
Pros and cons of the female sterilization process
The advantages of female sterilization are:
- Female sterilization process does not affect your hormones.
- It is one of the most effective and permanent methods for birth control.
- It has an extremely low failure rate so is useful for almost every woman.
- Now let’s look after the cons of female sterilization:
- Being a permanent option, female sterilization might not be perfect for women who might want to be pregnant in the future. Although, the tubal ligation is reversible but often the reversals do not work properly. So it is not wise to count on the reversible process
- Female sterilization also does not protect against any sexually transmitted infections and thus is unable to manage any menstrual cycle problems.
Risk rate of female sterilization
Bleeding and infections are some rare side effects of surgical sterilization. As reported by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), various females after using the non sterilization method have experienced bleeding or allergic reactions and medium to severe pain. Also there are incidences of the implant, shifting or puncturing the uterus out of its place.
Conclusion
Female sterilization is definitely an effective form of contraception which will permanently help you from not getting pregnant. Being a minor operation it does not need much recovery time and it is effective more than 99%. It is slightly an expensive process, so do check out your budget and always remember that it is very difficult to reverse the process after a woman is being sterilized. So, think properly before you opt for this method.
Reference List:
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Female-Sterilization.aspx
https://patient.info/sexual-health/sterilisation/female-sterilisation
https://www.ippf.org/blogs/myths-and-facts-about-female-sterilization
https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-female-sterilization
Image Source: Google Photos