Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure used to permanently prevent pregnancy. It is also known as female sterilization or “getting your tubes tied.” During the procedure, the fallopian tubes are cut, burned, or blocked off to prevent eggs from traveling from the ovaries to the uterus, and sperm from reaching the eggs. Tubal ligation is considered a permanent form of birth control. It is usually done in a hospital or an outpatient clinic. It is usually done under general or regional anesthesia, meaning the patient is either put to sleep or numbed in the entire lower half of the body. The procedure typically takes 30 minutes or less. The effectiveness of tubal ligation is very high. In the first year after the procedure, less than 1 in 100 women will become pregnant. The chance of becoming pregnant increases over time, however, so it is not 100% effective. Tubal ligation can be reversed, although it is not always successful. If a woman decides she wants to become pregnant after having a tubal ligation, she may be able to have it reversed, but there is no guarantee that she will become pregnant. Reversal surgery is more successful in women who had a tubal ligation less than 10 years prior. There are some risks associated with a tubal ligation. These include infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs. In rare cases, a woman may experience an ectopic pregnancy after a tubal ligation.