Sterilization

What is sterilization?

Sterilization is a surgical technique leaving a male or female unable to procreate. It is a method of birth control. For non-surgical causes of sterility.

Which are the common sterilization methods?

Common sterilization methods include:

• Vasectomy in males. Vasectomy is the most reliable contraception method known today. This method of contraception implies a surgical act which consists of the binding of the vas deferens of each testicle. However, to the difference of the condom, it does not offer any means of protection against the sexually transmitted diseases.

See Annex 1.

• Tubal ligation in females, known popularly as "having one's tubes tied". The Fallopian tubes, which allow the sperm to fertilize the ovum and would carry the fertilized ovum to the uterus, are closed. This generally involves a general anesthesia and a laparotomy or laparoscopic approach to cut, clip or cauterize the fallopian tubes. Less commonly used is the Essure office procedure of inducing scarring and occlusion of the tubes by the effects of micro-inserts placed by a catheter passed through the cervix and uterus.

See Annex 2.andSee Annex 3

• Hysterectomy in females. The uterus is surgically removed, permanently preventing pregnancy and some diseases, such as uterine cancer.

• Castration in males:

The testicles are surgically removed. This is frequently used for the sterilization of animals, with added effects such as docility, greatly reduced sexual behaviour, and faster weight gain (which is desirable in some cases, for example to accelerate meat production.

• Laparoscopy in females.

One of the most common methods of sterilization in females.First the abdomen is inflated with an injection of harmless gas (carbon dioxide). This allows the organs to be seen clearly. Then the surgeon makes a small incision near the navel and inserts a laparoscope (a rod-like instrument with a light and a viewing lens) to locate the tubes. The surgeon also may insert an instrument for closing the tubes, usually through a second small opening. Sometimes only one incision and one instrument are used.

See Annex 4

What are the risks of these methods?

• risks for vasectory and tubal ligation:

• risk for vasectomy:

Only some small problems can occur, like an infection, bruising or epidydimetis. There is generally no problems to cure these complications if they are well treated.There is no complication during an erection or ejaculating for the patient and the production of testosterone is still the same as before.This method is less expensive and safer than the females ones like the tubal ligation.

The risk of failure is almost impossible, in fact, 99% of the vasectomies are sucessful.

Complications occur in approximately 5% of vasectomies.

• risk for tubal ligation:

The main risks in a tubal ligation are the risks that we find for any surgery: the dammage to another internal organ like bladder or bowel, and infection.

Some experts think that tubal ligation increase the chances of irregular menstrual cycles but it hasn't been officialy proved.It is considered as a long-term risk.

However, the biggest risk is to regret to have done this. The person who choose to be sterilized has to be sure that he/she doesn't want any children because he/she can't ,in the majority of the cases, come back anymore after that.

When//why do people use these methods?

• Peolple,especially women use sterilization when they want to have a premanent method of birth control.
• In some countries like India the gouvernement pays males to go to have sterilization to prevent population explosion.
• Women know that this procedure can provide highly effective protection against pragnency, specially for the remainder of their reproductive years contrarly to the temporary methods where there is an increased chance of failure.
• This method would not decrease the women's sexual pleasure.Women chose this method when they have completed their families and they don't want any children anymore.

For or against sterilization?

*Reasons to use sterilization:

• People want to enjoy having sex without causing pregnancy.
• People don't want to have a child in the future.
• The two partners in a couple agree that their family is complete, and no more children are wanted.
• The two partners have concerns about the side effects of other methods.
• Other methods are unacceptable.
• The people health would be threatened by a future pregnancy.
• People don't want to pass on a hereditary illness or disability.
• The two partners decide tubal sterilization is better for the women than vasectomy is for the man

*Reasons against the use of sterilization:

• People may want to have a child in the future.
• People are being pressured by their partner, friends, or family. (People must want the procedure. People may want to involve others for advice or opinions, but the decision is ultimately theirs — only people can determine what is right for them.)
• People have problems that may be temporary — marriage or sexual problems, short-term mental or physical illnesses, financial worries, or being out of work. Sterilization is not a good solution for problems such as these.
• People have not considered possible changes in your life, such as divorce, remarriage, or death of children.

Questions and answers about tubal sterilization

• Will sterilization end an existing pregnancy?

No. Sterilization will not be performed if a women is pregnant.

• Will it affect menopause?

No. Sterilization does not prevent or cause menopause or any of its symptoms. Menopause is a natural process that occur to any women, even if they are sterilized.

• Will it prevent sexually transmitted infections?

No, a physical contact is enough to be infected by a virus, to be sterilized or not in this case, doesn't change anything.

• Can sterilization be reversed?

If a woman is thinking about reversal, this person should not undergo tubal sterilization. Reversal procedures require complicated surgery and cost thousands of dollars. Even though tubes can sometimes be rejoined, pregnancy cannot be guaranteed. Many women cannot even attempt reversals because there is not enough of their tubes left in the reproductive tract.

References

http://www.tubalreversalexperts.com/page.cfm?id=35 http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/St-Wr/Vasectomy.html http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control/tubal-sterilization.htm

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