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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask some questions about being sterilised.

15 replies

manglethedangle · 14/08/2017 20:18

DS is 2. I'm 34 as is DH. I love them both to bits but won't be having anymore children. DH wants them but I've made it clear that another child for him means having another wife.

Im currently on the pop, which works great. I can't take oestrogen based contraceptives and love love love not having periods (only had 2 in 5 years). But hate having to take 'something'.

I want to get sterilised.

Any advice, info, experiences? Are there different types, methods, any that are better, can I get it done on the NHS? Side effects? Will I get periods?

OP posts:

Aquamarine1029 · 14/08/2017 20:21

I got my tubes tied at 26 after 2 children. Best thing I've ever done. I'm 44 now. Very easy surgery, easy recovery. No side effects but you will have a period. But in my opinion, not having to worry about getting pregnant more than makes up for having a period.

goose1964 · 14/08/2017 20:23

The best thing I ever did, mine was for medical reasons and was done weeks after having my 3rd. It usually either cutting or clipping the tubes. The only side effects of the op was bruising where they inflated my abdomen. Otherwise it's just like not using contraception but without the risk of getting pregnant. You still get periods etc

NoMudNoLotus11 · 14/08/2017 20:25

Interested in this too. I'm wondering if the gp would refer me or if I would have to go through the GUM clinic I got my coil fitted at.

Op if you're used to not having periods, would it be a drag having them back again. Just something to think about

divadee · 14/08/2017 20:26

Make sure you don't have the essure sterlisation. A lot of women are having major major problems with this. A quick Google will show you.

Stick to the tubes cut and clipped!

floatyjosmum · 14/08/2017 20:38

I was sterilised a few months after dc3, it was super easy and was back to normal probably the day after to be honest. mine was done using clips and 4 years later there have been no issues.

periods still happen but as someone else said they are less irritating than dealing with contraception

Original poster

manglethedangle · 14/08/2017 20:41

Could I have it done and still take the pill so I don't get period? But I don't have the constant worry about whether I've forgotten it?

OP posts:

Aquamarine1029 · 14/08/2017 20:47

If a doctor will still prescribe the pill, then yes, you can absolutely take it. Just make sure you have your tubes fully severed and cauterised. Don't use the clips.

SaS2014 · 14/08/2017 21:22

Know of a lot of women who after sterilization now have hellish periods, way worse than before the op and so regret not just sticking with ocp or coil etc.
And I'd find it very odd if a gp prescribed ocp after sterilization as it's purpose is to prevent pregnancy which is also the point of the op.
But yes you can def get it done on NHS. It's a short day surgery with reasonably quick recovery.

Aquamarine1029 · 14/08/2017 21:42

As for heavier periods after getting my tubes tied, that didn't happen to me at all. 17 years later and they are still the same. I know many woman who have had it done and they didn't go through this either. One thing to remember is that periods for many women get heavier with age anyway, regardless of being sterilized.

BakerBear · 14/08/2017 21:47

I was sterilised at the age of 29 during the c section of dc2. That was nearly 4 months ago and my periods are heavier than before.

I was also spotting in between periods which for this last month hasnt happened so im hoping its just a settling down period.

You will get a period every month which is the worst bit about it.

demirose87 · 14/08/2017 21:52

I'm being done after my 4th c section in September. Can't risk falling pregnant again any time soon, I'm too bloody fertile

coffeeslave · 14/08/2017 22:04

I had my tubes tied at 24, really easy op and I was back at work in 3 days.

My periods did get worse later on but that wasn't related to being sterilised, it was because I have endometriosis & fibroids.

Yes GPs will prescribe the pill for heavy periods. They prescribe the pill to girls who aren't having sex (I had the pill from 14 for my endometriosis) so there's no reason why they won't prescribe it if you have heavy periods.

NorthCoast · 15/08/2017 07:23

I had a sterilisation on the NHS at 28 - now nearly 42 and it still remains one of the best decisions I ever made. Mine ended up being an overnight stay (normally you're home the same day) because there was a bit of a hiccup during the procedure (they found a lot of what they called 'dark blood' so went and investigated further), but I was still back at work four days later.

Ecclesiastes · 15/08/2017 07:30

Might as well add my voice to the chorus: I was sterilised at 30, twenty odd years ago. I have no children. This was back in the days when women were considered to be capable of making such a decision. And, as so many others have said, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets, no side effects, just lots of carefree shagging 😀

Phillipa12 · 15/08/2017 07:40

As my consultant said after i querried the heavier period problem, they are a mith! As she said most women are so used to period heaviness whilst they are using contraception that they actually forget that its the contraception making them lighter, some women like me had been on the pill for 20 years, so i really had no idea as to how heavy my periods were for me. I was sterilised at the same time as my 4th section, the surgeon removed a section of tube and then clipped, best decicion ever and yes the periods are slightly heavier but very managable, so much easier than remembering to take a pill everyday.

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