Is Tubal Ligation Safe?
Death during the procedure is extremely rare, occurring in about 1 to 2 out of 100,000 tubal ligations. The cause of death is usually either hypoventilation or cardiopulmonary arrest while under general anesthesia. Major complications are also rare, occurring in less than 2% of tubal ligations.
Possible Complications
The most common complications include:
Bleeding from a skin incision or inside the abdomenPain after procedureInfectionDamage to other organs inside the abdomenSide effects from anesthesiaAn ectopic pregnancy (an egg that becomes fertilized outside the uterus)Incomplete closing of a fallopian tube, which can result in pregnancy
If you have diabetes or a history of previous abdominal surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease, or lung disease, or are overweight, you may have a higher risk for problems after your tubal ligation.
In the first year after a tubal ligation, it’s estimated that fewer than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant. The younger you are at the time of a tubal ligation, the more likely the sterilization is to fail. If you do conceive after having a tubal ligation, there’s a higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic.
Again, be aware that these complications are rare, but that they do exist. If you’re concerned, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider about all the contraceptive options available to you.
Deciding on Birth Control Methods
You have a range of choices for types of birth control methods. These include natural birth control methods, over-the-counter (OTC) methods, prescription birth control methods, permanent birth control methods, and emergency birth control.
Pain that is not relieved by medicationAny drainage, abnormal bleeding, redness, or swellingFeverVomiting or persistent nauseaDizziness or fainting spells
Lifestyle and personal factors may also help you figure out the best method for you. Part of choosing a birth control method is finding the one you feel most comfortable with.
Birth control effectiveness is an important and common concern in your decision to choose the method that will work best for you. These methods differ in effectiveness, even within the type category.
The reliability of any contraceptive method depends upon whether it’s used consistently and correctly. That being said, the failure rates of some methods are significantly higher than others. You need to decide what level of effectiveness is most acceptable to you.
Migrated clips can cause chronic abdominal pain that can begin years after the surgery. A migrated clip can usually be seen on an abdominal X-ray and can be removed laparoscopically.
