Prelude
So, here’s the background story about this post on sterilization. On 17 June 2021, I was at the hospital because my brother was unwell. Within five minutes of my arrival, after a warm welcome, two pamphlets were discreetly given to me. Turns out the pamphlets were on the intrauterine device (IUD) and hormonal implants. An engaging conversation about contraceptives ensued.
About nine days before the hospital visit, I watched the Moore to the Story episode, All Juice No Seeds. The discussion from around 19mins:14secs of the video was on tubal ligation versus vasectomy. And dealing with the fears and misinformation about vasectomy. I found the subject matter engrossing.
These incidents spurred me to read up on contraceptives. Although there are many different types of birth control, I will be sharing my findings on one type with you.
Surgical Sterilization
Queensland Health defines Sterilization as “the process of completely taking away the body’s ability to reproduce through open or minimal invasion surgery. It is a permanent method of contraception, suitable for people who are sure they never want children or do not want any more children. Sterilization is available for both women and men.“
Sterilization procedures for women are termed tubal ligation while the procedure for men is named vasectomy.
Is Sterilization Right for Me?
Sterilization is permanent — you should only get sterilized if you are definite, you do not want to get pregnant for the rest of your life.
According to MedlinePlus, “when deciding if you want to have a sterilization procedure, it is important to consider:
- Whether or not you want any more children in the future
- What you might want to do if something were to happen to your spouse or any of your children
If you answered that you might want to have another child, then sterilization is not the best option for you. There are other options for preventing pregnancy that are impermanent.”
Likewise, Planned Parenthood said that “sterilization may not be a good choice for you if:
- You’re being pressured by your partner, friends, or family.
- You hope sterilization will solve problems that may be temporary — like marriage or sexual issues, short-term mental or physical illnesses, or money problems.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) adds that “If you have a sterilization procedure and you change your mind after the operation, you can have surgery to try to reverse it. You can also try assisted reproductive technology (that is, treatments or procedures that are done to start a pregnancy. This may include handling eggs and sperm or embryos.) to attempt pregnancy. These procedures are expensive and there is no guarantee that you will be able to become pregnant afterward.”
Male Sterilization (Vasectomy)
Rakhi Jain and Sumathi Muralidha in their article Contraceptive Methods: Needs, Options and Utilization define Male Sterilization as “a permanent surgical method in which, the vasa deferentia which carry the sperms from the testes to the penis, are blocked. This prevents the sperms from being released into the semen at the time of ejaculation. It is a simple and reliable method not requiring hospitalization. Contrary to popular belief, it does not affect health or sexual vigour, neither does it interfere with intercourse.”
What are the Benefits of Vasectomy?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) lists the advantages of vasectomy as follows:
- A vasectomy is an efficacious and permanent way to avert pregnancy. It is best for men convinced they do not want kids.
- A vasectomy does not have any lasting effects on sexual activity or performance.
- Vasectomies are simpler, less costly, and considered to be safer than female sterilization.
- A vasectomy only requires local anaesthesia.
What are the Drawbacks and Risks of a Vasectomy?
Healthline states the following as the snags and risks of vasectomy:
Drawbacks
- Vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Reversal may be possible in some cases, but it is not always an option. Also, reversal is more complicated than the original procedure.
Risks
- Potential short-term risks of vasectomy consist of – swelling, bruising, infection, bleeding inside the scrotum, blood in the semen.
- Long-term problems that arise due to vasectomy are uncommon. They include chronic pain, fluid build-up in the testicle.
- It is unusual for a vasectomy to spontaneously heal, but it can occur. If it does, your partner may be at risk of gravidity (i.e., pregnancy).
Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)
Tubal ligation is also known as “having one’s tubes tied,” or having a “tubal.”
Melissa Contrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD in the Birth Control: Surgical Sterilization article states that “Tubal sterilization works to permanently prevent pregnancy by cutting and tying or clipping the fallopian tubes, hence preventing the egg from traveling from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes. It also blocks the sperm from entering the fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg. Reversal surgery may be attempted, but the surgery is invasive and not usually effective. Tubal sterilization does not affect the menstrual cycle.”
What are the Benefits of Female Sterilization?
Healthline gives four benefits of female sterilization as follows:
- Female sterilization is a good choice for women who need effective and permanent birth control.
- It is harmless for almost all women and has an exceptionally low failure rate. Hence, women do not need to use other types of birth control.
- Sterilization is effective without leading to the same aftereffects as other methods, such as birth control pills, the implant, or IUD. E.g., the procedure does not affect your menstruation, hormones, or sexual desire. Learn more about mentruation from the post, Menstruation…A Cross to Bear or A Unique Gift.
- Some evidence also advises that female sterilization may marginally lessen the risk of ovarian cancer.
What are the Shortcomings and Risks of Female Sterilization?
The article, What Every Woman Should Know About Female Sterilization, identified the flaws and risks of female sterilization as:
Shortcomings
- Female sterilization is not a good route for women who may want to get pregnant in the future. Some tubal ligations may be reversible, but reversals often do not work. Women should not count on the possibility of a reversal.
- Female sterilization does not help women manage menstrual cycle problems.
- Female sterilization does not safeguard against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- There may be more factors for some women to bear in mind when contemplating female sterilization. For instance, women who have a high risk of negative reactions to anaesthesia may be unable to go through a surgical procedure.
Risks
- Infection and bleeding are rare complications of tubal ligation. Please speak to your doctor about the risks before the procedure.
- In exceptional cases, the tubes can heal spontaneously after sterilization. According to Planned Parenthood, there is a chance any pregnancy that happens at this point will be ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy arises when the fetus implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. It is a potentially grim medical problem. If it is not noticed in time, it can be fatal.
Female Sterilization vs. Vasectomy
The Healthline Medical Network and Ana Gotter make the following comparisons between female sterilization and vasectomies:
- Vasectomies work by tying, clipping, cutting, or sealing the vas deferens to prevent the release of sperm. The procedure may or may not call for small incisions and local anaesthesia.
- A vasectomy usually takes between two and four months to become effective after the procedure. After one year, it is to some extent more effective than female sterilization.
- Like female sterilization, a vasectomy does not protect against STIs.
Couples who go for a vasectomy may do so because:
- It is usually more cost-effective.
- It is considered an innocuous and, in some cases, less invasive procedure.
- it does not increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
In contrast, couples who choose female sterilization may do so because tubal ligation is effective straightaway, while vasectomies may need a few months to become effective.
My View on Contraceptives
Every child is a gift deserving of love and care by his/her parent(s)/caregivers. No child is a mistake.
If you don’t have the time or resources to raise a child, don’t have more kids than you can care for. That will amount to biting off more than you can chew! Also, it is reckless behaviour to abandon the upbringing of your children to providence or the generosity of others. Your child is your responsibility, own it and live up to it!
It hurts to see children on the streets, begging or caring for themselves at a tender age, while exposed to the harsh realities of our world.
On the above premise, I ask you to consider sterilization if you do not want to have children or when you have had the number of children you want. I also presented the male and female sterilization options as it should not always fall to the woman to get sterilized.
Final Words on Contraceptives
- Get knowledge – Ask questions. Learn about the available anticonception options – the benefits, side effects, and risks, before deciding.
- See a doctor – The fertility control method that works for a friend/family member may not work for you. So, it’s important to discuss the available options with your doctor to ensure you are using the most suitable contraceptive.
- Agree – A couple must both decide if they want to have children or not. Agree on the number of kids if they decide on having them and have an effective contraceptive in place.
The ball is in your court…act, don’t leave it to chance!
Disclaimer – This post is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any fertility control methods.
Very well put together. It’s sad that in this part of the world taking such steps is frowned on…hopefully things will change as people become more educated on the benefits.
Thank you Ayetu 😊
We definitely need more information on contraceptives as a whole.