I Don’t Want Children: Should I Choose Sterilization?

It can be tough to know which birth control method is the best one to choose. There are many options out there, like long-acting reversible contraceptives, short-term hormonal birth control, or barrier methods. 

Another type of common birth control is sterilization. Many women choose this method if they no longer want children. But is it right for you?

Our team at The Center for Women’s Health wants you to have all the facts before committing to the permanence of sterilization.

What is sterilization?

For women, the sterilization process is called tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied.” This is a permanent form of birth control and is done by blocking or cutting your fallopian tubes, preventing sperm from reaching your egg for fertilization.

How do you know if sterilization is the right choice?

Like any birth control method, there are pros and cons to choosing tubal ligation. Since this choice has permanent results, it’s crucial to weigh your options carefully.

The upsides

A huge perk to getting your tubes tied is never having to remember to take a pill, put in any barrier, or track your cycles. So, this option is one and done.

Another benefit is lowering your risk of ovarian cancer. While this happens as a result is unclear, studies show that having a tubal ligation helps lessen the odds of developing this kind of cancer. 

You also never have to worry about getting pregnant because it works. Less than 1% of women get pregnant after a sterilization process.

The downsides

A risk of getting a tubal ligation is having an ectopic pregnancy down the road. Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg grows outside of your uterus. These pregnancies are not viable since the fertilized can’t grow and can cause life-threatening bleeding if one of your fallopian tubes ruptures.

Another drawback is that it won’t protect you against STDs. You’ll still need to use condoms to prevent developing any sexually transmitted infections.

Getting your tubes tied is a permanent procedure. This can be a positive or a negative thing, depending on if you’re absolutely sure that you never want to get pregnant in the future.

Making your decision

Whatever you decide is best for your health, The Center for Women’s Health wants to help you take that next step. Maybe you’re going to opt-in for sterilization or permanent birth control. However, maybe you want to wait and choose something that will let you get pregnant in the future should you change your mind.

If you’d like more information on what birth control method is best for you, you can call our office at 757-874-2229 with any questions or schedule an appointment today.