Tubal ligation is the procedure colloquially termed as getting the tubes tied when the fallopian tubes of a woman are severed and shut so that fertilization of an egg is not possible and a pregnancy cannot occur. This is a permanent sort of birth control and is usually advisable only for those women who have completed their family and are not looking to get pregnant again.

Tubal ligation could be done postpartum (i.e. after a recent delivery) or after a longer interval. It can be performed surgically, trans vaginally, laparoscopically and the Non Surgical Method of Tubal Ligation is commonly known as Essure. Some of the benefits of this procedure are:

  • As a method of permanent birth control, it is seen to be very effective (99.74% effectiveness has been seen with zero pregnancies in clinical trials).
  • Other methods of tubal ligation require anesthesia (either general anesthesia or local anesthesia along with a tranquilizer), and surgery. They also may require cutting or burning of the fallopian tubes. This is not required in non surgical tubal ligation.
  • The procedure is over in about 10 minutes and recovery time is about 1 day.
  • Inserts (or micro inserts as they are known) are passed through the vagina, cervix and uterus via a catheter into the fallopian tubes and are put in place. This causes the block, resulting in pregnancy prevention.
  • It is covered by most health insurance companies.
  • When compared with other forms of permanent birth control, this is a lot safer.

Though risks are far lower than with other surgical procedures, as with any medical procedures there are some risks involved with this procedure of non surgical tubal ligation as well:

  • You can never be one hundred percent sure of this (or indeed any) form of birth control because nature has a way of springing the strangest and most unexpected of surprises from time to time.
  • Not every woman can be assured that the placement of the Essure inserts is fully successful each time. The procedure may not be effective for some women.
  • There could be certain unpleasant or uncomfortable symptoms experienced during or after this procedure, such as nausea, vomiting, cramping, and dizziness. There could also be some small amount of spotting or bleeding experienced. However, this is not in all cases and in general this procedure is seen to be safe and effective.