Tubal ligation (female surgical procedure)

A surgical procedure for providing a permanent contraceptive solution

Tubal ligation is a contraceptive method suitable for women who are sure they don't want anymore children.

Tubal ligation involves a short medical procedure, usually 15-20 minutes long, and once complete offers highly effective protection against unexpected pregnancy.

It also has no effect on a woman's hormones, so have no effect on a woman and her partner's sex life.

Effectiveness

More than 99% - If one hundred women had the procedure, and carried on with their normal sex life, fewer than one of those women would fall pregnant again.

Availability

Tubal ligation procedures are available at select clinic locations.

Pricing

Please contact our team for more information about pricing.

If you're considering tubal ligation, or thinking about using a new method of contraception, it's a good idea to have a full consultation.

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Tubal ligation advantages

Tubal ligation can offer several advantages compared with other contraceptive methods, including:

It is a permanent, so you do not need to remember to use contraception again
It doesn’t interrupt sex or affect your sex life. A woman’s sex drive after tubal ligation will be the same as before, as hormone levels remain the same
It has minimal side effects.

These benefits come from a successful tubal ligation procedure performed by a trained provider.

Looking for more information about tubal ligation?

Try visiting our frequently asked questions.

Frequently asked questions

Things to consider

When deciding if a tubal ligation procedure is right for you, here are a few quick facts you should consider:

Tubal ligation is a permanent, irreversible method of contraception. Therefore, it should only be adopted by those who either do not want children or already have the desired number of children.
Using this method does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.

In case of any questions or doubts before opting for this method, women are advised to consult a doctor or arrange a meeting with our clinic staff.

How tubal ligation works

Tubal ligation involves closing a woman’s fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes normally carry an unfertilised egg to the womb.

Closing the fallopian tubes prevents the egg and sperm meeting, so a pregnancy cannot occur. Female sterilisation is a quick and safe surgical operation. It needs to be done by a trained health provider.

The tubes can be closed in several ways. One method is to make one small cut in the lower stomach to see the tubes on each side of the womb, and then cut the tubes. The other method is to place a small camera and other instruments through a hole in the stomach to see the tubes, which are then clipped.

What to expect at your appointment

The procedure is performed by a highly trained doctor and takes approximately 15-20 minutes.

It is carried out under local anaesthetic and sedation, using simple techniques to seal the fallopian tubes. After this procedure has been performed, an egg cannot move from the ovary through the tubes (a woman has two Fallopian tubes), and eventually to the uterus.

Other methods of contraception at a glance

Oral contraceptive pill

The contraceptive pill is a short-acting contraceptive method.

Contraceptive pills contain hormones, similar to those naturally produced by a woman’s body. The pill needs to be taken at the same time every day to effectively prevent pregnancy. It’s ability to prevent pregnancy depends on a person using it correctly.

Condoms

Male and females condoms are a barrier contraception method for preventing pregnancy and STIs.

When used correctly, condoms are highly effective. Condoms are also the only contraceptive method that protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and syphilis.

Contraceptive implant

The implant is a highly effective, long-acting and reversible method of contraception.

It consists of either 1 or 2 small plastic rods that are placed in the upper arm and, depending on the product used, is effective at preventing pregnancy for 3 to 5 years.

Injectable

The injectable or contraceptive injection is an effective, long-acting and reversible method of contraception.

It works by releasing a hormone that stops eggs being released by the body. Injectables are highly effective, lasting 2 to 3 months (depending on the type used), but women must remember to return for another injection around this time or risk not being protected from pregnancy.

Intrauterine device

The IUD is a highly effective (99%), long-acting and reversible method of contraception.

It is a small, T-shaped device that is made from plastic and copper and works by stopping a man's sperm from meeting an egg and/or by stopping an egg implanting in the uterus. The procedure for inserting an IUD is simple, only taking a few minutes by a trained person.

Vasectomy

A surgical procedure for providing a permanent contraceptive solution for men.

A vasectomy is a contraceptive method suitable for men who are sure they don't want anymore children.

It's a popular method of family planning chosen by millions of men worldwide. It's safe, effective and offers a permanent solution to contraceptive needs.