To consider sterilisation

[quickquestion2017]

I'm 30, have 3 children aged 8 months - 5 years and don't want any more.
Has anyone else been sterilised and had any ill effects?
Husband wanted vasectomy but we cannot afford to pay privately.

Someone should tell the NHS because their website seems to think they offer it.

£400 is much cheaper than another child. I'd find the money, beans on toast for a couple of weeks.

I did, bloody great weight off my mind but I was certain i was done, the surgeon did me at the same time as my c section.

I was 17 years ago aged 29 - in and out in a day with two small keyhole incisions. Apart from pain the next day have never had any issues

Yes, he booked an appointment with our GP who broke the news that it wasn't available on the NHS. He got a referral to a private clinic who called today to confirm cost/availability.
I personally think it smacks of sexism that women should have to undergo a more painful/invasive procedure if you want to go down the non-payment route.
£400 is 4 weeks worth of food shopping for us, so Beans on toast for a few nights isn't really a fair comparison.

But it is available on the NHS in most areas. Where are you?

The GP's surgery may not offer it.

The GP would make the referral though and she has confirmed it isn't available on the NHS.

I'm 38, had it done almost 2 years ago, haven't regretted it at all.

Actually I lie I have one minor regret, I was the last person to be done that day and they offered me to stay in overnight, and I opted to go home instead, really should have taken the stay overnight :)

The gp is wrong ask for a second opinion.

Can you get a vasectomy on the NHS?
In many parts of the UK vasectomy is still available under the NHS, although in the period 2008 to 2016, getting funding for these operations has become more difficult.
But in many places, you should be able to obtain the procedure free, via your GP, as long as you don't mind waiting a month or two.

So it is available on the NHS.

I'm a GP and I refer for vasectomies on the NHS.

Yes Terry, in many parts of the UK.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences.

'£400 is much cheaper than another child. I'd find the money, beans on toast for a couple of weeks.'

£400 is a great deal of money to a lot of people, far more than a matter of beans on toast for a couple of weeks .

A friend of mine very recently got a vasectomy on the NHS. They're unlikely to sterilise you at your age.

For those who can't tolerate hormone contraception have you considered the copper coil? I can't tolerate hormones in contraception either and the copper coil has worked for me. My periods are a bit heavier and a day or 2 longer but I wouldn't say period pain was any worse.

I'm 36 and they were reluctant to sterilise me. She said they do two different ways and neither are guaranteed to work and they can't repeat it if it doesn't work. They said it would be better for my DH to have a vasectomy, which he did and that was on the NHS.

What trust do you come under? We live in West Midlands, vasectomy was a year ago.

I'm 36 and they were reluctant to sterilise me. She said they do two different ways and neither are guaranteed to work and they can't repeat it if it doesn't work. They said it would be better for my DH to have a vasectomy, which he did and that was on the NHS.

What trust do you come under? We live in West Midlands, vasectomy was a year ago.

'For those who can't tolerate hormone contraception have you considered the copper coil? I can't tolerate hormones in contraception either and the copper coil has worked for me. My periods are a bit heavier and a day or 2 longer but I wouldn't say period pain was any worse.'

No. Some people experience very heavy periods after having one. A lot of people are then fobbed off, told to keep it in to 'settle'. Some people don't want a foreign object in their body. Some consider copper coils abortifacients and so can't use them for reasons of belief/religion.

I'm 27 & would love to not only be sterilised but to have everything in there removed!

I've had 1 child but I want no more.

I can't take hormonal contraception & cant have the copper coil let's
hope the condom NEVER fails.

Sterilization has a much higher failure rate than a vasectomy and is surgery under GA. DH is going for his vasectomy in a few weeks on the nhs. Think we have waited about 2 months from referral to op.

I'm a GP and refer in the NHS in my area.
Google the clinical commissioning group for your area and contact them to confirm.

I'm in Essex and no vasectomy on NHS and very exceptional circumstances to get a sterilisation. It is area dependant.

Thanks for the input, I will have to check regarding age restrictions.
I previously have had the copper coil but became anaemic.
Yes, our CCG decided to do away with NHS funded vasectomies.