Sterilization for Women and Men

Frequently Asked Questions Expand All

• What is sterilization?

  Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control. Sterilization procedures for women are called tubal ligation. The procedure for men is called vasectomy.

• How does tubal ligation work to prevent pregnancy?

  Tubal ligation closes off the fallopian tubes. This prevents the egg from moving down the fallopian tube and keeps the sperm from reaching the egg.

• How effective is female sterilization?

  Sterilization is a highly effective way to prevent pregnancy. Fewer than 1 out of 100 women will become pregnant within 1 year of having the procedure.

• Does sterilization protect against sexually transmitted infections?

  Sterilization does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A male or female condom should be used to protect against these infections if you are at risk of getting an STI (see FAQ009 How to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections).

• Are there risks associated with female sterilization?

  In the rare chance pregnancy does occur after tubal sterilization, there is an increased risk that it will be an ectopic pregnancy. But the risk of ectopic pregnancy occurring in women after tubal sterilization is lower than in women who do not use any birth control. Other risks are specific to the type of procedure.

• Will I still have menstrual periods after female sterilization?

  Yes, you will still have menstrual periods after a sterilization procedure.

• How is female sterilization performed?

  There are two ways that sterilization for women can be performed: minilaparotomy and laparoscopy.

  • Minilaparotomy—A small incision (cut) is made in the abdomen. The fallopian tubes are brought up through the incision. A small section of each tube is removed, or both tubes can be removed completely. Less often, clips are used to close off the tubes. This approach often is used for postpartum sterilization (see FAQ052 Postpartum Sterilization).

  • Laparoscopy—A device called a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision made in or near the belly button. The laparoscope allows the pelvic organs to be seen (see FAQ035 Sterilization by Laparoscopy). The fallopian tubes are closed off using instruments passed through the laparoscope or with another instrument inserted through a second small incision.

• How does a vasectomy work to prevent pregnancy?

  The vas deferens is one of two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. Sperm becomes part of a man’s semen. In a vasectomy, the vas deferens tubes are tied, cut, clipped, or sealed to prevent the release of sperm into the semen. This prevents a woman’s egg from being fertilized with the man’s sperm.

• How effective is a vasectomy?

  The effectiveness of vasectomy in preventing pregnancy after 1 year is slightly higher than that of female sterilization. As with female sterilization, vasectomy does not protect against STIs.

• How is a vasectomy done?

  One or two small openings are made in the skin of the scrotum. Each vas deferens is pulled through the opening until it forms a loop. A small section is cut out of the loop and removed. The two ends are tied and may be sealed with heat. This causes scar tissue to grow and block the tubes. Each vas deferens then is placed back into the scrotum. There also is a “no-scalpel” technique that does not require incisions in the skin. It can be done with local anesthesia in a health care professional's office.

• How long does it take for a vasectomy to work?

  It takes about 2–4 months for the semen to become totally free of sperm. A couple must use another method of birth control or avoid sexual intercourse until a sperm count confirms that no sperm are present. In this test, the number of sperm in a semen sample is counted.

• What are the benefits and risks of vasectomy?

  Vasectomy generally is considered to be safer than female sterilization and requires only local anesthesia. Also, there is no increased risk of ectopic pregnancy if the vasectomy fails. Risks of vasectomy include minor bleeding and infection. Major complications are rare.

• Can sterilization be reversed?

  Sterilization is permanent birth control. It is not meant to be reversible. Before having the procedure, you (and your partner, if appropriate) must be certain that you do not want children in the future. 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 techology (ART) to attempt pregnancy. These procedures are expensive and may not be covered by insurance. There also is no guarantee that you will be able to become pregnant afterward.

• Glossary

  Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Treatments or procedures that are done to start a pregnancy. This may include handling eggs and sperm or embryos.

  Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy in a place other than the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.

  Egg: The female reproductive cell made in and released from the ovaries. Also called the ovum.

  Fallopian Tubes: Tubes through which an egg travels from the ovary to the uterus.

  Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A virus that attacks certain cells of the body’s immune system. If left untreated, HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

  Laparoscope: A thin, lighted telescope that is inserted through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen to view internal organs or to perform surgery.

  Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure in which a thin, lighted telescope called a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen. The laparoscope is used to view the pelvic organs. Other instruments can be used with it to perform surgery.

  Local Anesthesia: The drugs that stop pain in a part of the body.

  Minilaparotomy: A small abdominal cut used for a surgery in which the fallopian tubes are closed off as a form of permanent birth control.

  Postpartum Sterilization: A permanent procedure that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant, done soon after the birth of a child.

  Scrotum: The external genital sac in the male that contains the testicles.

  Semen: The fluid made by male sex glands that contains sperm.

  Sexual Intercourse: The act of the penis of the male entering the vagina of the female. Also called “having sex” or “making love.”

  Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections that are spread by sexual contact. Infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).

  Sperm: A cell made in the male testes that can fertilize a female egg.

  Sterilization: A permanent method of birth control.

  Testicles: Paired male organs that make sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone. Also called the testes.

  Tubal Ligation: Blocking of the fallopian tubes.

  Vas Deferens: One of two small tubes that carries sperm from each male testicle to the prostate gland.

  Vasectomy: A permanent birth control method for men. In this procedure, a portion of the tube that carries sperm is removed.