Should i be sterilized

Although retrospective studies have reported both improvement and deterioration of sexuality after sterilization, 6 , 99 , , , most prospective studies show neither effect.

Prospective studies have generally reported no change or improvements in sexual function, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, coital frequency, and self-perceived femininity. Data suggest that sterilized women in the United States are less likely to return for annual screening than women who use reversible contraception.

Female sterilization is a safe and minor operation. On balance, it entails few risks and substantial benefits for a couple or a woman when they have no further desire to bear children. Primary sources of discontent result from the procedure's failure, regret over having had it performed, and subsequent health changes that are attributed to sterilization. Physicians can help to minimize such discontent through their competent performance of the procedure and by taking measures to ensure that women reach this important decision only after careful thought.

For a woman or a couple to reach a deliberate, informed decision regarding female sterilization, certain conditions must prevail.

The woman or couple needs to know about the options among reversible contraceptives and about vasectomy. They must also understand the intended irreversibility of the procedure.

She must understand how the sterilization will be performed, the type of anesthesia to be used, and the operative risks. She must also understand that if she experiences the rare complication of pregnancy after the procedure, she must seek a prompt evaluation because of her heightened risk for an ectopic pregnancy. A woman considering sterilization also needs to think about the chances that her life situation will change. She needs to have decided that any such change will not alter her satisfaction with having had the procedure.

She needs to have consulted all the individuals with whom she wants to confer and to feel comfortable proceeding in the light of these conversations. She must recognize that although no one can predict her future health status with certainty, research data indicate that she will not be at heightened risk for an illness just because she has been sterilized.

Because anyone's future health is unpredictable and because protection against ovarian cancer and upper genital tract infections that sterilization confers is only partial, she needs to realize that she will still need regular preventive care, including pelvic examinations. As importantly, she needs to recognize that sterilization does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, so condom use for STI prevention is as important after sterilization as it is with reversible methods of contraception.

She should understand that tubal sterilization does not protect against disorders that may require hysterectomy. Some women who have undergone tubal sterilization eventually do, in fact, have disorders that prompt hysterectomy. These disorders would have occurred whether or not the sterilization had taken place. Based on current data, the woman who chooses sterilization may be more prone to decide on a hysterectomy at a future date.

Most people think that this finding reflects that women who have experienced one successful surgical solution may be more amenable to surgery than women who have not opted to be sterilized. The woman considering sterilization should know that there is no conclusive evidence that the operation will change her menstrual pattern or any pain associated with menstruation. If, however, she has been using hormonal contraception or an intrauterine device up until the time of her sterilization, she may experience a change in the timing, blood loss, or pain associated with menses.

These kinds of changes arise because of the discontinuation of the previous method, not because of the sterilization. The level of understanding described in the preceding paragraphs does not occur in a to minute clinical session. As with any irreversible decision, a woman's choice of sterilization warrants careful consideration over time. Some women have received enough information to have thoughtfully reached their decision before entering the clinician's office.

Others receive exposure to the idea of sterilization for the first time when they meet with their health care provider. Most know something about the procedure but grow in their understanding after they consult with this provider.

The provider must speak with each woman to figure out what she knows of the vast continuum of knowledge needed to reach this decision. Only with this understanding of each woman interested in sterilization will the provider be able to fully serve the individual as she weighs her choices. Sterilization Incidence and Prevalence. J Reprod Med , Obstet Gynecol , Stud Fam Plann , Fertil Steril , Abraham S, Jansen R, Fraser IS et al: Characteristics, perceptions, and personalities of women seeking a reversal of their tubal sterilization.

Med J Aust , Leader A, Galan N, George R et al: A comparison of definable traits in women requesting reversal of sterilization and women satisfied with sterilization. Am J Obstet Gynecol , J Nerv Ment Dis , Scan J Soc Med , Int Fam Plann Persp , Int J Gynaecol Obstet , Good doctors should take the time to explore your reasons for sterilization and talk through the risks and alternatives associated with the procedure.

Armed with the above, you and your doctor can have an honest conversation about how, when, and whether sterilization is the right move for you. Breadcrumb Power to Decide » sterilization should you tie other. Sterilization: Should you tie the other kind of knot?

Bedsider Article. Know: What am I getting into? Know: Why do I want this? Here are some of the most common reasons people consider sterilization, and where the discussion with your doctor might lead: 1. What if something happened to my kids? Related Posts. October 5, Why I Talk About….

Why does Dr. Raegan think that open conversation between young people and their providers and champions are so important? She can have sex the same as before.

She may find that sex is more enjoyable because she does not have to worry about getting pregnant. Sterilization does not cause any changes in weight, appetite, or appearance. However, older women are more likely to choose sterilization for contraception than younger women and most women gain weight as they age. Some women avoid female sterilization because they incorrectly believe that only women of a certain age or who have a certain number of children can undergo female sterilization.

All women can have female sterilization. No medical conditions prevent a woman from using female sterilization. You have been emailed a receipt for your donation. If you do not receive an email receipt, please check your spam folder before contacting us. Breadcrumb Home Blogs. Myths and facts about This page was originally published in and has since been updated.

Myth: Sterilization causes cancer Some clients incorrectly believe that female sterilization will cause women to develop cancer of the reproductive organs uterus, cervix, or ovaries.

When using local anesthesia with sedation and analgesia, however, providers must take care not to overdose the woman with the sedative. They also must handle the woman gently and talk with her throughout the procedure. This helps her to stay calm. With many clients, sedatives can be avoided, especially with good counseling and a skilled provider.

Does a woman who has had a sterilization procedure ever have to worry about getting pregnant again? Generally, no. Female sterilization is very effective at preventing pregnancy and is intended to be permanent. Women who have been sterilized have a slight risk of becoming pregnant: About 5 of every 1, women become pregnant within a year after the procedure.

The small risk of pregnancy remains beyond the first year and until the woman reaches menopause. Pregnancy after female sterilization is rare, but why does it happen at all? Most often it is because the woman was already pregnant at the time of sterilization. In some cases an opening in the fallopian tube develops. Pregnancy also can occur if the provider makes a cut in the wrong place instead of the fallopian tubes. Can sterilization be reversed if the woman decides she wants another child?

Sterilization is intended to be permanent. People who may want more children should choose a different family planning method. Surgery to reverse sterilization is possible for only some women—those who have enough fallopian tube left.

Even among these women, reversal often does not lead to pregnancy.