Female sterilization provides permanent contraception for women who do not want more children. It is a safe and simple surgical procedure and is usually done with local anesthesia and light sedation.

A small incision is made in the woman’s abdomen and the two fallopian tubes are blocked off. These tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. With the tubes blocked, the woman’s egg cannot meet the man’s sperm. This blocking or division of the tubes is known as a "tubal ligation." Postpartum tubal litigation is one of the most effective female sterilization techniques.

Advantages of Female Sterilization

1. It is very effective.
2. It is permanent and safe family planning technique.
3. It has no interference with sex and does not affect a woman’s ability to have sex.
4. It does not have long-term side effects or health risks.

Disadvantages of Female Sterilization

1. It is usually painful for several days after the operation.
2. It can lead to infection or bleeding at the incision.
3. It can be injurious to internal organs.
4. With local anesthesia alone or with sedation, risk of allergic reaction or overdose can occur.

The right time to undergo Female Sterilization is when a woman decides that she will never want children in future and when it is reasonably certain that she is not pregnant. It means that the right time to undergo such a treatment could be immediately after childbirth or within 7days, six weeks or more after childbirth or immediately after abortion.

Various Female Sterilization Techniques

Laparoscopic tubal ligation: This procedure is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision inside the navel. A laparoscope is inserted through the opening. This is used to light up and inspect the Fallopian tubes. Next, a sealer instrument is inserted. This instrument is used to block the tubes either through electrical or nonelectrical means. Electro coagulation seals the tubes through an electric current. After the surgery is over, the surgeon closes the incision with a single suture and covers it with a Band-Aid. However this method should be avoided for women who are obese, have serious heart disease, or have chronic respiratory illness.

Mini-laparotomy: This procedure is also done under general anesthesia, and involves making a small incision just above the pubic hairline. The surgeon lifts the tubes through the incision and blocks them either using electro coagulation or using clips or bands. This method differs from a laparoscopy as no visualizing instrument is inserted. The recovery period is around two to three days.

Vaginal tubal ligation (colpotomy): This procedure is applied in cases where a woman cannot have a laparoscopy or laparotomy. It involves making a small incision in the vaginal opening through which the surgeon can draw the tubes and ligate them using suture material. The advantage of this method is that it can be performed under local anesthesia and there will be no visible scar. However some women find intercourse painful for several months after undergoing this surgery.

Abdominal tubal ligation: This method is recommended to women who need abdominal surgery for other reasons or who have chronic tubal infections or endometriosis. In this laparotomy, an abdominal incision is made either vertically below the navel or horizontally just at the pubic hairline.

Postpartum tubal ligation: This is a mini-laparotomy done following childbirth. The surgeon makes an incision just below the navel, draws part of each tube through the incision and sutures them shut. The operation may be performed any time within the first three days of childbirth.

Hysterectomy: This surgery involves the complete removal of the uterus. In the past, it was considered a common sterilization procedure. Today, it is not recommended for birth control purposes.