HealthyWomen.org reported permanent birth control is the second most common form of birth control in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of HealthyWomen.org, women say the benefits of permanent birth control include never having to worry about an unplanned pregnancy and the ability to have sex when and where you want.
Dr. Hector Chapa, a Board Certified OB/GYN, added that other advantages include simple economics.
“It’s expensive to raise a child. Permanent birth control is also reliable; doesn’t interfere with a woman’s lifestyle and it’s hormone-free,” he said.
Permanent birth control for females works by blocking, tying or cutting the fallopian tubes so an egg cannot travel to the uterus. There are two primary forms: surgical and non-surgical.
The surgical option is tubal ligation, also called “getting your tubes tied,” wrote WebMD. The fallopian tubes are sealed off, keeping a woman’s eggs from meeting any sperm. This procedure is generally effective immediately.
A tubal ligation can be performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or outpatient center and can be done laparoscopically with a telescope-like device inserted through a small incision in the abdomen according to HealthyWomen.org.
The non-surgical option involves soft flexible inserts, made by Essure, which are placed into each fallopian tube at a doctor's office. The inserts work with a woman’s body to form a natural barrier that prevents pregnancy.
Dr. Chapa said it’s a procedure that uses a woman’s natural pathway and is minimally invasive.
He described the procedure, saying that "small, micro-inserts are inserted into the fallopian tubes through the body’s vagina, similar to a pap smear. Over a three-month period, scar tissue grows around the micro-inserts forming a barrier, so the sperm cannot meet the egg; preventing pregnancy."
WomensHealth.gov cautioned that since it can take about three months for the scar tissue to grow, it's important to use another form of birth control during this time.
With both forms of permanent birth control, the hormones that control a woman's menstruation and sexuality will not change, therefore a woman’s menstrual cycle or desire for sex will not be affected, according to HealthyWomen.org.
The ovaries will continue to produce eggs and the body absorbs the unfertilized eggs just as it did before the procedure. These procedures will not bring on early menopause.
Permanent birth control procedures are just that. Permanent. They should not be considered reversible, so women need to be sure they don’t want to get pregnant in the future.
Dr. Chapa recommended women who are considering permanent birth control take the initiative and talk with their health care provider about the different options, to determine what’s best for them.
Sources:
Chapa, Dr. Hector. Phone interview. 18 May 2012.
"What is Essure." Essure Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2012. http://essure.com/what-is-essure/overview
"Birth control methods fact sheet | womenshealth.gov ." womenshealth.gov . N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2012. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/birth-control-methods.cfm#perbir
Lee-St. John / Gallatin, Jeninne. "Permanent Birth Control - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2012. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1865975,00.html
Metcalf, MPH, Eric. "Done Having Kids: Vasectomy, Tubal Litigation, and Other Options." Women's Health Center: Information on Women's Wellness, Nutrition, Fitness, Intimate Questions, and Weight Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2012. http://women.webmd.com/features/vasectomy-tubal-litigation-options
"Permanent Birth Control Options | HealthyWomen." Womens Health | Women's Wellness | Womens Mental Health | Women's Birth Control. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2012.
http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/permanent-birth-control-understanding-your-options
Sionna, Angele. "What is Essure? How is it done? What's recovery like? (with photos of procedure) - National Early Childhood Parenting | Examiner.com." Welcome to Examiner.com | Examiner.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2012. http://www.examiner.com/article/what-is-essure-how-is-it-done-what-s-recovery-like-with-photos-of-procedure
Stacey M.Ed, LMHC, Dawn. "Permanent Birth Control - Permanent Sterilization - Permanent Birth Control and Sterilization Methods." Contraception - Birth Control Methods - What is Contraception. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2012. http://contraception.about.com/od/surgicalpermanentmethods/tp/permanent.htm
Reviewed May 22, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith