Tubal Ligation

About Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation, also called tubal sterilization or having the tubes tied, is a permanent form of contraception in which the fallopian tubes are blocked, cut or removed so that eggs and sperm cannot meet. It is one of the most widely used methods of contraception worldwide. The procedure is most commonly performed laparoscopically through small incisions in the abdomen, using clips, rings, electrocautery or removal of a segment of each tube. It is also often performed shortly after childbirth through a small incision below the navel or during a cesarean delivery. Removal of the entire fallopian tubes, called bilateral salpingectomy, has become increasingly common for sterilization because research suggests that many ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes. Tubal ligation is intended to be permanent, and although reversal surgery exists, it is not always successful, so counseling about permanence is an important part of the decision. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and does not alter the menstrual cycle or hormone levels.