Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12 - Female Sterilization

Key Points for Providers and Clients
  • Permanent. Intended to provide life-long, permanent, and very effective protection against pregnancy. Reversal is usually not possible.
  • Involves a physical examination and surgery. The procedure is done by a specifically trained provider.
  • No long-term side effects.

What Is Female Sterilization?

  • Permanent surgical contraception for women who will not want more children.
  • The 2 surgical approaches most often used:
    • Minilaparotomy involves making a small incision in the abdomen. The fallopian tubes are brought to the incision to be cut or blocked.
    • Laparoscopy involves inserting a long, thin tube containing lenses into the abdomen through a small incision. This laparoscope enables the doctor to reach and block or cut the fallopian tubes in the abdomen.
  • Also called tubal sterilization, tubal ligation, voluntary surgical contraception, tubectomy, bi-tubal ligation, tying the tubes, minilap, and “the operation.”
  • Works because the fallopian tubes are blocked or cut. Eggs released from the ovaries cannot move down the tubes, and so they do not meet sperm.