What is a sterilisation?

Are there any alternatives to sterilisation?

There are non-permanent (reversible) methods of female contraception.

• hormone implants
• a coil or intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)
• oral contraceptive pill

A vasectomy is a permanent method of male contraception.

The only safe, non-permanent method of male contraception is to use a condom, but the risk of failure is higher.

What does the operation involve?

The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about 20 minutes.

Your gynaecologist will make a small cut, usually on or near your belly button, so they can insert an instrument in your abdominal cavity to inflate it with gas (carbon dioxide). They will usually make a further cut on your ‘bikini’ line so they can insert tubes (ports) into your abdomen. Your gynaecologist will insert instruments through the ports along with a telescope so they can see inside your abdomen and perform the sterilisation.

The most common method of sterilisation is to block each fallopian tube by placing a clip on it.

How can I prepare myself for the operation?

If you smoke, stopping smoking now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.

Regular exercise should help to prepare you for the operation, help you to recover and improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Speak to the healthcare team about any vaccinations you might need to reduce your risk of serious illness while you recover. When you come into hospital, practise hand washing and wear a face covering when asked.

What complications can happen?

The healthcare team will try to reduce the risk of complications.

Any numbers which relate to risk are from studies of people who have had this operation. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you. Some risks are higher if you are older, obese, you are a smoker or have other health problems. These health problems include diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.

Some complications can be serious and may even cause death.

General complications of any operation

• Feeling or being sick.
• Bleeding during or after the operation.
• Infection of the surgical site (wound).
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
• Developing a hernia in the scar.
• Venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is a blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis – DVT) or one that has moved to your lung (pulmonary embolus).
• Chest infection. Your risk will be lower if you have stopped smoking and you are free of COVID-19 (coronavirus) symptoms for at least 7 weeks before the operation.

Specific complications of this operation

Keyhole surgery complications

• Damage to structures such as your bowel, bladder or blood vessels when inserting instruments into your abdomen. About 1 in 3 of these injuries is not obvious until after the operation.
• Developing a hernia near one of the cuts used to insert the ports.
• Surgical emphysema (a crackling sensation in your skin caused by trapped carbon dioxide), which settles quickly and is not serious.
• Making a hole in your womb or cervix with possible damage to a nearby structure during placement of the manipulator. You may need another operation.
• Making a hole in your womb or cervix with possible damage to a nearby structure during placement of the manipulator. You may need another operation.
• Failed procedure, if it is not possible to insert the instruments inside your abdominal cavity. You will need to stay in hospital for 1 or 2 days, so let your gynaecologist know if you would prefer to arrange a more convenient time.
• Gas embolism. This is when gas (carbon dioxide) gets into the bloodstream and blocks a blood vessel.
• Conversion to open surgery.

Sterilisation complications

• failure of the sterilisation
• infection of the gynaecological organs or bladder
• ectopic pregnancy, where a pregnancy happens outside your womb, usually in a fallopian tube

Consequences of this procedure

• pain
• unsightly scarring of your skin

How soon will I recover?

You should be able to go home the same day.

Rest for 1 to 2 days and take painkillers if you need them.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Summary

A sterilisation is a method of female contraception which is permanent.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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