Hi, Anon. Welcome to EmpowHer! And thanks for the great question!
First, to answer your question about the words used in tubal ligation procedures.
The "tubes" in question are the Fallopian tubes, which are the small tubes that an egg travels between a woman's ovaries and her uterus. When you ovulate, the ovary releases an egg and it makes its way down the Fallopian tube. If you surgically cut that tube, you make it (nearly) impossible for any sperm to get to an egg.
One way: The tube is bent (like you would put a kink in a hose) and a band is put around it to keep it closed like that.
Another way: The tube is cut in half, and each side is cauterized (burned) shut.
Another way: The tube is cut in half, and each side is tied closed.
Here's a diagram of those three procedures from MSN Health:
And now there are procedures where small implants are inserted into the tubes, blocking anything from passing by.
In all cases, yes, you would still menstruate. Menstruation is not dependent on our Fallopian tubes; it is dependent on our hormone levels, which will still cause us to release an egg (even if it goes nowhere), build up a lining in the uterus each month and then shed that lining during our period. Those functions still continue until menopause. Also, your sexual desire shouldn't change; and some women have a higher libido simply because they don't have to worry about pregnancy (tubal ligations are 99.5% successful at preventing pregnancy. About 5 in every 1,000 women will get pregnant.)
Here's a good reference on all forms of the surgery:
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Hi, Anon. Welcome to EmpowHer! And thanks for the great question!
First, to answer your question about the words used in tubal ligation procedures.
The "tubes" in question are the Fallopian tubes, which are the small tubes that an egg travels between a woman's ovaries and her uterus. When you ovulate, the ovary releases an egg and it makes its way down the Fallopian tube. If you surgically cut that tube, you make it (nearly) impossible for any sperm to get to an egg.
One way: The tube is bent (like you would put a kink in a hose) and a band is put around it to keep it closed like that.
Another way: The tube is cut in half, and each side is cauterized (burned) shut.
Another way: The tube is cut in half, and each side is tied closed.
Here's a diagram of those three procedures from MSN Health:
http://health.msn.com/PopUp.aspx?cp-documentid=100071881
And now there are procedures where small implants are inserted into the tubes, blocking anything from passing by.
In all cases, yes, you would still menstruate. Menstruation is not dependent on our Fallopian tubes; it is dependent on our hormone levels, which will still cause us to release an egg (even if it goes nowhere), build up a lining in the uterus each month and then shed that lining during our period. Those functions still continue until menopause. Also, your sexual desire shouldn't change; and some women have a higher libido simply because they don't have to worry about pregnancy (tubal ligations are 99.5% successful at preventing pregnancy. About 5 in every 1,000 women will get pregnant.)
Here's a good reference on all forms of the surgery:
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sexual-health/birth-control/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100068706
Have you had this surgery and not had a period yet? How long has it been?
July 10, 2009 - 9:33amThis Comment
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