Sterilization

If you are absolutely certain that you do not want children in the future, sterilization offers a safe and effective method of birth control.

There are two versions of female sterilization: 1.) cutting or burning the tubes leading from the ovaries to the uterus, or 2.) placing micro-inserts into the tubes to cause scar tissue to grow and block the tubes. For men, sterilization (vasectomy) involves cutting the tubes that allow sperm to mix with semen.

Things to keep in mind about sterilization are:

Sterilization has no effect on the production of sex hormones in men or women. Men will continue to produce sperm-free seminal fluid during intercourse, and women will continue to menstruate.
The procedure takes about 20 minutes for men and one hour or less for women.
Depending upon the procedure, a general or local anesthetic is used.
This method is considered permanent. Surgery to reverse sterilization is available, but costly. It is considered major surgery and does not guarantee results.

This page was last reviewed Friday, November 19, 2010