Permanent contraception is often a responsible choice for people who have reached their personal goals regarding the number of children they want or can support, or if health considerations make pregnancy unsafe, or for adults who for any other reason know they never want to become a parent. Permanent contraception is a significant life decision that should be carefully considered.
Permanent Contraception Options
Permanent contraception procedures are highly effective in preventing pregnancy. However, these procedures are permanent and are difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. Some people experience regret over having permanent contraception. The people who suffer from regret most often are less than 30 years old at the time of the procedure. The younger a woman is, the more likely she is to regret the decision.
Accordingly, you should consult with a healthcare professional about this decision, especially if you are not yet 30 years old, or if you have recently had significant complications giving birth, or you are having relationship problems. You can postpone your decision for a while, and in the meantime, use a non-permanent but effective long-term method of contraception that is easily reversible.
Each permanent contraception option involves a procedure performed by a qualified healthcare provider. All procedures are available on an out-patient basis. You should consult with your healthcare provider to determine which option is best for you and your lifestyle.
Tubal Ligation
The most common permanent birth control procedure for women is a tubal ligation, also known as “having your tubes tied”. Tubal ligation is a relatively simple procedure that can be done either in a hospital or at an outpatient center where most patients go home the same day.
In a tubal ligation procedure, the doctor will cut both of the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes funnel eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, where an egg can be fertilized by sperm. Once cut, your doctor will seal them closed using heat, rings, or clips. This procedure can be performed within 24 hours of giving birth or during another surgical procedure.
The procedure can also be done laparoscopically, which requires general anesthesia. Once the patient is anesthetized, the surgeon will make a small incision in he belly button and insert a small camera (called a laparoscope) to view the fallopian tubes. The surgeon will then close the tubes using heat, rings or clips.
Bilateral Salpingectomy
With this procedure, both of the fallopian tubes are removed.
Minilaparotomy
A minilaparotomy is performed on a woman one to two days after childbirth. Under general or local anesthesia, the patient will have a part of both of her fallopian tubes removed.
Vasectomy
A vasectomy is a male sterilization procedure. It is a fairly simple procedure that takes about 30 minutes to complete. The patient can go home immediately after the procedure.
In a conventional vasectomy, the doctor will make small incisions into the scrotum to access the vas deferens. The vas deferens is a narrow tube that connects the testicle to the urethra, and they are the passageways for sperm to mix with semen during ejaculation. Each testicle has a vas deferens.
The doctor may close off the vas deferens in a couple of different ways. The doctor may remove a small piece of each tube or use heat to sear each end. Closing off the vas deferens prevents sperm from being able to mix with semen. Although the man’s testicles will continue to produce sperm, his body simply reabsorbs it.
A vasectomy may also be done without a scalpel. In the non-scalpel procedure, the doctor will feel for each vas deferens under the scrotum. Using a clamp to hold it in place, the doctor will make a tiny hole in the skin, open it enough to lift out each vas deferens, then cut it and seal it with heat or stitches, or both.
A vasectomy is not immediately effective. It may be several months before the man’s semen contains no sperm. During that time, the man and his female sex partners should use another form of birth control.
Contact the Women’s Health Experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness for More Information About Contraceptive Options
The specialists at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness are available to consult with you about whether permanent contraception is a good choice for you, or whether another form of contraception might be the better choice for your stage of life. Contact them today to discuss your options and schedule an appointment.