Factsheet
Tubal Sterilisation
Date 30 January 2009
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BASIC FACTS |
WHAT IS TUBAL STERILISATION?
Tubal Sterilisation is an operation that women can have so that they cannot become pregnant. It is a permanent form of contraception.
HOW DOES TUBAL STERILISATION WORK?
The operation blocks a woman's Fallopian tubes so that the sperm cannot travel up to meet the ovum (egg) and start a pregnancy.
HOW WELL DOES IT WORK?
Tubal Sterilisation works very well. It is more than 98 to 99% effective depending on the method used.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A TUBAL STERILISATION?
The most common method is called Laparoscopic Sterilisation. With this method women usually have a general anaesthetic, and stay overnight in hospital.
The doctor makes one or two small incisions in the abdomen. Then a laparoscope (a tiny telescope) is inserted so the doctor can see the tubes. The tubes are closed off with clips, rings, or by cutting and tying. A newer method is called Essure®. With this method small micro-inserts are placed in each Fallopian tube through the vagina and cervix. There are no incisions and it can be done under a local anaesthetic. It takes about 30 minutes and most women can go home after about one hour.
AFTER A TUBAL STERILISATION
After a general anaesthetic you may have nausea (sick feeling) or tiredness for a couple of days. After laparoscopy, you may have some pain in your abdomen and shoulder. It usually takes about seven days for a woman to feel quite well again. Women who have the Essure® procedure with a local anaesthetic usually recover more quickly.
WHEN WILL IT BE EFFECTIVE?
For laparoscopic methods you will be covered for contraception right away. The Essure® method usually takes three months to work, but it may take longer. You should use another method of contraception until tests show that the tubes are fully blocked.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
With any operation, you can have complications such as bleeding and infection, but they are not common.
WHAT IF IT DOESN'T WORK?
About two to nine in 1,000 operations fail. It can happen even years later. If it fails there is more chance of a pregnancy being ectopic (outside the uterus).
CAN TUBAL STERILISATION BE REVERSED?
Sometimes laparoscopic sterilisation can be reversed, but even then only about 50% of women become pregnant. There is also a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. The Essure® method cannot be reversed.
If a woman thinks there is any chance she may want a child in the future she should not have Tubal Sterilisation. It is best not to make such a big decision if you are under stress, such as just after having a baby, or a miscarriage, or when you have other problems.
HOW DO YOU GET A TUBAL STERILISATION?
A Tubal Sterilisation can be arranged through a local doctor, a gynaecologist, a hospital outpatient department or Family Planning clinic. For information on Essure® go to www.essure.com.au.[new link]
For further information
- Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.
