Tubal Ligation & Vasectomy
Tubal Ligation and Vasectomy are permanent birth control methods that require surgery and are usually irreversible.
What is Tubal Ligation?
Tubal ligation is commonly known as "getting your tubes tied." It is a permanent method of sterilization for women. After having a tubal ligation you will NOT be able to get pregnant.
What is Done?
During surgery, the woman’s fallopian tubes are cut, burned, or blocked with rings, bands, or clips. This procedure stops the egg from traveling down the fallopian tube to reach the sperm and stops the sperm from reaching the egg; therefore, this method is very effective (99.5% effective).
Advantages:
- Permanent
- Does not interfere with sex
- Requires no daily attention
Disadvantages:
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS
- Requires surgery
- More complicated than a vasectomy
- Possible regret
What is a Vasectomy?
Vasectomy is a permanent method of sterilization for men. After having a vasectomy a man will not be able to get a woman pregnant.
What is Done?
During a minor surgical procedure (taking about 15 minutes) the doctor cuts or blocks the tubes in the scrotum that carry the sperm to join the semen before ejaculation. The man will still ejaculate but the semen will not contain any sperm. This method is 99.9% effective and permanent 6 weeks after the procedure.
Advantages:
- Permanent
- Cheaper, easier, and less painful than tubal ligation
- Does not interfere with sex
- Requires no daily attention
Disadvantages:
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS
- Requires surgery
- Possible regret
- ? Need to use another form of birth control for six weeks after the vasectomy for it to be effective
