SterilisationSterilisation is a good method of contraception for people who have completed their families or who are sure they never want children. Either the man or the woman can be sterilised, through a minor operation. Anyone having a sterilisation must see it as a permanent step. Reversal operations are difficult to do and there is no guarantee of success. In other words don't have the operation if you think you may come to regret it.
How effective is sterilisation?
There is a slight risk that the operation will not work. Although it is rare for fertility to return, the tubes do sometimes rejoin. The failure rate is about one in 1,000 for vasectomy (male sterilisation). The failure range for female sterilisation is about one in 1,000 to one in 200, depending on the method used.
Who is if suitable for?
Sterilisation is for people who have completed their families. Some doctors may be unhappy about operating on those with no children. You may be sure what you want now - but people can change their minds. That is why there is always counselling if you want to be sterilised. It is important to talk over any doubts or worries with the doctor. If one partner is unsure, you should not go ahead. It is not wise to decide about sterilisation when you are under stress, for example after a birth, miscarriage, abortion, or family or relationship crisis.
Sterilisation does not affect hormones - in either men or women. So there is no reason why emotions or enjoyment of sex should change after the operation or in the future. The only difference is that the passage of the egg or sperm is blocked so fertilisation cannot occur. They are still made, but because they cannot get through the blocked tube, they eventually die and disintegrate. The operation is simpler for men because a man's sex organs are outside his body. Even so, sterilisation of both men and women is a simple and minor operation.
Do you need your partners consent?
Sterilisation is legally like any other operation and the patient must give informed permission. Counsellors and doctors usually like to discuss the operation with both partners. Although the consent of your spouse is not legally necessary some doctors prefer the agreement of both partners to the operation.
What if you change your mind?
Sterilisation must be looked on as a permanent step. Some doctors can try to reverse the operation but success rates are not high. It will depend on the type of operation you had and how tong ago it was carried out. New techniques for improving success rates are being tested. Sterilisation reversal operations are not normally agreed to in Northumberland.