T O P I C R E V I E W
Rumored
Member # 27901
posted 06-27-2006 10:09 PM
I know, and have known for some time, that pregnancy isn't something I ever want to do. I also know that there's a surgery out there that has a 199 in 200 chance of making sure this happens, and that it's commonly called tubal ligation or having your tubes tied, and is usually done with inserts that lead to scarring, cauterization, or clamps. I know it costs upwards of $2,000. I know you can't do heavy lifting for two weeks afterwards. I know it's going to be hell if I want this done before I'm 35. And that's all I know for sure. Can anyone point me in a direction so I can start seriously considering this option? My googling is showing up women with failed tubals, people trying to tell me children are gifts, and... the above info. I don't want to go to our local PP, becuase they tend to be REALLY busy, and they're busy with people who need service RIGHT NOW. So... Got Websites?
cool87
Member # 29292
posted 06-28-2006 09:06 AM
Actually, I don't know if I'm allowed to post Internet links other than Scarletenn links here, so I'm gonna abstain from that. But just look on the Internet I'm sure you will find infromations. I can help you a little bit if you want from what I know. Yes, tubal ligation is a surgical sterilization technique for women. This procedure closes the fallopian tubes, and stops the egg from traveling to the uterus from the ovary. It also prevents sperm from reaching the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg. In a tubal ligation, fallopian tubes are cut, burned, or blocked with rings, bands or clips. The surgery is effective immediately. As for the effectiveness, tubal ligations are 99.5% effective as birth control. It isn’t 100 % but it is effective. But just keep in mind that there is still a 0,5 % chance that it might not work. Remember. They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. So if you want to have this surgery in order of not having to use condom, then maybe it is not a good reason to have this surgery done to you. By doing that, you could expose you to STD. You should still use a method to protect you from getting STD whether it is condoms or other things. Also, are you really sure you will not want to get pregnant in the future. They can’t always reverse the surgery. And women who have reversal surgery and become pregnant have a higher chance of ectopic pregnancy. Also, the surgery can have effects on you. Just consider that. Abnormal bleeding and bladder infections are risks after tubal ligations. Each type of surgery also involves different risks. Some women also report having post-tubal sterilization syndrome. The symptoms include irregular and painful periods, mid-cycle bleeding, or no periods. In the end, it is your decision. I can’t tell you if it’s worth or not, it’s only up to you to decide. There is advantages for this surgery but also disadvantages like in every other surgery. Just make sure you get really informed on this surgery before having it. Also talk with people who had it, if it is possible for you. Make sure also that you give yourself plenty of time to think about it before you proceed to having the surgery done to you. Good luck with your decision.
Rumored
Member # 27901
posted 06-28-2006 12:36 PM
The reason I wanted links is because I was having trouble finding resources myself. I don't suppose you know any places in Southern California where I could get info on this?
logic_grrl
Member # 8067
posted 06-28-2006 12:40 PM
Actually, I don't know if I'm allowed to post Internet links other than Scarletenn links here, so I'm gonna abstain from that. It's generally fine for people to post external links that are relevant, as long as they're not to "adult" or explicit sites.
cool87
Member # 29292
posted 06-28-2006 01:21 PM
No, I live in Canada so I don't know where you can find info other than on the Internet in Southern California. But I looked on the Internet to try to find you some helpful sites. Here's somes:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002913.htm http://www.webmd.com/hw/healthy_women/hw7305.asp?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubal_ligation http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/familyplan/Tubal%20Ligation.pdf http://www.tubal-reversal.net/tubal_ligation_Pomeroy.htm http://www.tubal-ligation-info.org/typesoftubal.asp http://www.sexhealth.org/birthcontrol/tubal.shtml http://www.mypleasure.com/education/contraception/tubal_ligation.asp I think this one is the most complete one:http://www.well-net.com/womenshealth/contraception/tuballigation-1.html I really hope it helps. That's just some of the sites. I'm sure if you take your time to do even more research on your side, you'll find plenty of other. Make sure to be informed before having the surgery. Also, you can talk to your doctor about that. He'll sure be able to tell you more than I can. I'm not already a doctor, I haven't even begun my medical studies yet, I just got accepted. So there's no really that much other things that I can tell you. I would have to read on the Internet just like you did.
Miz Scarlet
Member # 3
posted 06-28-2006 01:39 PM
Rumoured, you might want to look more into an IUD, given what you're saying here. Believe it or not, the Mirena IUD is actually shown to be MORE effective than a tubal. And it's certainly cheaper. (It also has the extra bonus, which tubal doesn't, of reducing cramps with menstruation and lightening flow, and your recovery time is much shorter.) Mind, you'll meet *some* of the barriers to getting an IUD as a young person that you will with seeking out a tubal. And if you are not 100%, absolutely in a completely monogamous relationship, where you're either practicing safer sex to the letter or where you and yours are committed to monogamy and both have had plenty of negative STI screens, you don't want to do that. Insertion, too, is generally more painful and tricky for a woman who has never been pregnant. But for either, if you don't want to go tio PP or to another local sexual healthcare clinic, then I'd advise discussing this with a private OB/GYN.
September
Member # 25425
posted 06-28-2006 02:30 PM
I've been wondering about getting an IUD, as well. I know that I'm still way too young, but I absolutely have to avoid pregnancy - I have a chronic disease that would be sure to flare up and cause all sorts of trouble. I've looked into tubal ligation but the only thing I keep hearing is "You're too young." I wonder why they make it so freakin' impossible for women to decide how they feel about getting pregnant.
daria319
Member # 19692
posted 06-28-2006 02:59 PM
September, you might have more success by contacting the doctor who diagnosed you with the condition. He or she would likely be able to refer you to a facility that will look more closely at your particular case and make things easier for you.
Rumored
Member # 27901
posted 06-28-2006 04:29 PM
I've thought about IUDs. But first and foremost, I think the string would be a problem for me. I might tug on it. Just a little. Which may be enough to dislodge it. I wouldn't even think about it, I'd just be jilling off and I'd end up pulling the dang thing out before I remembered what it was, and that I WANTED it up there. That said, I also would prefer the hormonal method, which they apparently can't do until you're postnatal (not something I'll ever be, I hope), but that's kind of secondary to my string problem. Also, I haven't forgotten that condoms and abstinence are the only protection against STDs.
Miz Scarlet
Member # 3
posted 06-28-2006 05:30 PM
Last GYN I asked about IUDs told me that they're now tucking the string in such a way that that's not a real thing to be concerned with. You CAN have an IUD put in, no matter what your history is with being pregnant: it just may be less comfortable if you have never been pregnant. And that isn't about having CHILDREN: it's about having been pregnant, whether you delivered, aborted or miscarried. It's a matter of the inside of the uterus having been stretched a bit before, to be clear. Again, I'd just discuss ligation, IUDs, and your strong desire not to have children and a BC method which supports that with a good OB/GYN.
Rumored
Member # 27901
posted 06-28-2006 05:51 PM
http://www.mirena-us.com/index.html This is, as far as I can tell, the only hormone-based IUD approved in the US, and the website clearly states it's intended for mothers. Perhaps this one is much larger than the copper one? I can't imagine it would be baby-sized, but it doesn't seem to have been approved for use by childfree women. I will obviously be discussing IUDs with my Dr., though, becuase I hadn't heard they had changed what they did with the strings. Thanks for the advice!
Miz Scarlet
Member # 3
posted 06-28-2006 06:05 PM
It's biased language, in short. It's about having been pregnant or not, not about mothering or delivery. So if you have been pregnant and miscarried or aborted, same deal per insertion and comfort. if you have not ben ANY of those things, it's not suggested. (And again, the PID risks are not small, so if you think you will not use this with a long-term monogamous partner, well after long-term safer sex practices, it also isn't a good choice.) It's not larger than a copper IUD, and they're all very small. [ 06-28-2006, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: Miz Scarlet ]
Rumored
Member # 27901
posted 06-28-2006 07:15 PM
I just found the package insert, and you're right. It's about the same size as the copper one. I just don't see the advantages of setting up additional requirements to getting a product when those requirements cut off a profitable demographic. That'll teach me to expect accurate candidacy information from official websites. And also, I did notice all the risks associated with this, and I'm going to be taking them into consideration. (Also, since this is a long-term decision, I'll be using my long-term decision making process, with lots of thinking through and discussion and research. Please don't worry that these things won't be taken into account.) And *Hugs* because if there was ever a person who deserved lots of hugs, it's you. Thank You.