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Sterilisation

4 replies

stevienicks · 23/07/2009 16:46

Hi has anyone been steralised on the NHS if so what is the process. I went to my doctors a year ago after making the3 decision when my DS was a year old already have an older DD. The GP told me vto go away vand think abnout it and to try and get my husband to get the snip instead. I was also told that due to my age (40) my fertility will start to diminish not very hel.pful as still have regular periods and don't think I am pre menopausal

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SausageRocket · 23/07/2009 16:56

You can be sterilised laparoscopically nowadays so it's not the huge open procedure that it used to be for women. It is still pretty major surgery though. Whereas vasectomy is minor. Would you not consider vasectomy as an option ?

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SausageRocket · 23/07/2009 16:56

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difficultdecision · 23/07/2009 17:08

www.patient.co.uk/health/Female-Sterilisation.htm

Female sterilisation has a 1:200 failure rate

www.patient.co.uk/health/Vasectomy.htm

Male sterilisation (vasectomy) has a 1:1000 failure rate

if you think sterilisation might be right for you then see your GP with your partner so they can explain the ins and outs and go through some of the other contraceptive options that you might not have thought about (some of the newer options are thought to be more effective than female sterilisation). If you are still keen they will usually refer you to the hospital to go through it again with a gynaecologist.

It is a fairly straightforward procedure but does require an anaesthetic, does has some risks and if it works it is final and cannot be reversed (some surgeons might try privately but not on the NHS and it doesn't usually work).

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stevienicks · 24/07/2009 08:30

Thank you both for the advice. I have spoken to my husband and he doesn't want to have a vasectomy, his excuse is that he went with a friend when he had it done and it put him off for life. MMMM, what about what we have to go through I know. DH is 6 years younger than me. Although he says he doesn't want any more children. I have tried the coil, couldn't get on with it, the pill doesn't agree with me and haven't taken it for years so thats what puts me off having the injection etc.
I will look into it again and have a good think.
Thanks.