Female sterilization is a constant method of contraception, forever eliminating the possibility of becoming pregnant and having a baby. Usually women who give birth to women who no longer want to have children resort to it. The operation includes actions aimed at preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg. Artificial obstruction of the fallopian tubes is created through surgical intervention. The effectiveness of this operation is 99 percent.
Indications for sterilization
Any woman over 35 years of age who has at least one child can undergo sterilization. Nevertheless, the issue of the operation should be approached responsibly. If you are not sure that in the future a woman will not want to have children again, it is better to resort to other, less radical methods of contraception.
An indication for sterilization may be the fact that a woman is contraindicated in becoming pregnant, as well as the presence of a risk of transmission of hereditary defects, diseases or developmental abnormalities incompatible with life.
The principle of sterilization
During ovulation, the egg leaves the ovary and moves through the fallopian tube towards the sperm for further fertilization. During sterilization, an artificial obstruction of the pipes is created, which makes conception and pregnancy impossible.
Types
There are two types of sterilization in women:
- Blocking the patency of the fallopian tubes by clamping, dressing, and dissection methods.
- Installation of a special implant (hysteroscopic sterilization)
Methods
Sterilization in women is carried out in three ways.
- Laparotomy It is carried out through an incision in the abdominal cavity. It is usually performed in conjunction with other abdominal operations, such as cesarean section.
- Laparoscopy. Less invasive and most common method. It is carried out through several small incisions around the navel.
- Mini laparotomy. It is performed through a small incision just above the pubic hairline. Most often performed in women who have a history of pelvic surgery, inflammatory processes or are obese.
Operation
During an operation to create artificial obstruction with clamps, rings, or tubal ligation, the surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdominal cavity. With the help of a laparoscope puts on plastic or titanium clips, silicone rings on the fallopian tubes, bandages them, excises or cauterizes. This sterilization method is usually performed under general anesthesia. Sterilization of women in time takes about half an hour. After a few hours, the patient may be allowed to go home.
In case of unsuccessful blocking of the fallopian tubes in the previous way, salpingectomy is performed - complete removal.
The implants are inserted through the vagina using local anesthesia. It is also possible to use sedatives. Using a hysteroscope, titanium implants are inserted into each of the fallopian tubes. Obstruction is created by the occurrence of scar tissue.
After sterilization
After surgical sterilization of women, intense exercise should be avoided for a week. If you experience pain, you can take painkillers. But with increased discomfort, you should consult your doctor. When purulent discharge occurs, vomiting persists for more than 24 hours, fever in excess of 38 degrees, discomfort during urination, you also need to visit a specialist for a full-time consultation.
You can return to work in a few days. Sexual life can be resumed after feeling better. After 10 days, the surgeon should appear to remove the stitches, and after 6 weeks - to conduct an examination.
Theoretically, sterilization in women has an immediate contraceptive effect. But it is still recommended to use combined hormonal contraceptives, such as oral tablets, within a week after sterilization.
The effect of hysteroscopic sterilization occurs after 3 months. Because of this, the entire period after surgery should use an additional method of contraception. Refusal of protection is possible only after an ultrasound scan or x-ray to confirm the correct installation of implants.
Side effects
After a sterilization operation, a woman may experience discomfort, expressed in the following symptoms:
- pain and nausea during the first four to eight hours;
- cramps during the first day;
- vomiting
- temperature.
Pros of sterilization
In sterilizing women, the pros and cons exist, as in any other operation. In addition to constant contraception and confidence that there is no risk of an unwanted pregnancy, the following positive factors are present during this operation:
- quick recovery;
- most women can return to normal activities within one day;
- the procedure does not take much time;
- there is no need to go to hospital, the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Consequences of female sterilization
After surgery in women, depending on the methods used, there is a risk of the following complications.
- infections
- bladder injuries;
- bleeding of large blood vessels;
- intestinal perforation;
- abdominal infections
- an allergic reaction to anesthesia;
- damage to nearby organs such as the intestines or ureter;
- inflammation and pain;
- infection of a wound or one of the fallopian tubes;
- ectopic pregnancy developing in the fallopian tubes, and not in the uterus;
- irregular and long menstrual cycles;
- menstrual cramps;
- increased menstrual flow;
- cervical erosion;
- increased premenstrual symptoms;
- risk of cervical cancer;
- ovarian tumors.
In addition to all the complications and risks, the main disadvantage of sterilizing women is 99 percent effectiveness. There is a probability of less than one percent that a pregnancy will nevertheless occur, and, most likely, it will be an ectopic. The only guaranteed 100% contraception method is ovarian removal and abstinence.
Contraindications for sterilization
- Doubts about the decision regarding the operation.
- Pregnancy.
- Allergy to nickel, silicone.
- Childbirth, abortion, miscarriage less than 6 weeks ago.
- Recent inflammatory or infectious diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Vaginal bleeding of unknown origin.
- Gynecological malignant processes.
The procedure is carried out as usual, but with additional preparation in the following cases:
- young age;
- obesity;
- operation during cesarean section;
- high blood pressure
- history of ischemia, stroke, uncomplicated and congenital heart disease;
- epilepsy;
- depression;
- diabetes:
- uterine fibroids;
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- compensated cirrhosis;
- mammary cancer;
- tumors of the liver.
Alternative methods of contraception
In addition to sterilizing women, there are less radical methods of prolonged contraception, for example, the use of subcutaneous implants, the installation of an intrauterine hormonal or non-hormonal spiral. In contrast to surgery, these methods also have some advantages, such as the absence of surgical risks and reversibility.
Along with female sterilization, there is also male sterilization - a vasectomy. With it, ligation or removal of the seminal ducts is performed. This operation carries far fewer rice and complications than surgical sterilization of women.
In addition to long-term contraceptives, combined oral contraceptives, various vaginal creams or suppositories, rings or patches can be used to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The most simple and affordable is the barrier method - male and female condoms.
Sterilization of women. Reviews
Not everyone can decide on such a cardinal method of contraception as sterilization. Typically, women come to such decisions after the occurrence of unplanned pregnancies, for example, against the background of a lack of menstruation after a recent birth. There are also situations when one or another method of contraception does not work. Often, having tried almost all available methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy, a woman has no choice but to resort to sterilization.
According to statistics, after the operation, many women experience pain and nausea, which are stopped by medicines. After a few days, everything returns to normal.
Many women who have undergone sterilization recommend this method of contraception due to its almost absolute effect.
Some women who have undergone sterilization later regret their decision.
Main aspects
Sterilization in women is an almost absolute method of contraception. However, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, if a woman does not have confidence in her sexual partner, it is worth using the barrier method of contraception - condoms.
Sterilization in women does not cause menopause, does not affect female sexual desire or to enjoy sex. After the operation, the ovaries will continue to work as usual, as well as before, menstruation will occur.
Sterilization in women is exclusively voluntary.
Finally
Whatever the advantages of sterilizing women, before making such an important decision, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. It is important to remember that this method is irreversible. Subsequent pregnancy is possible only using reproductive technologies (in vitro fertilization) or the creation of artificial fallopian tubes. It is not worth making the decision to sterilize if the woman is depressed, depressed, especially in cases after a recent miscarriage, abortion or childbirth. Before carrying out voluntary sterilization of women, you should familiarize yourself with all the advantages, disadvantages of the operation, the risks and possible complications after it.