To ask for your experience with female sterilisation?

[OhForForksSake]

Just that really. I am considering sterilisation but, on the surface level, there seem to be very few reports of negative side effects. Is that really the case? Has it changed anything about your period and/or ovulation pain?

What have you experiences been? All the negative side effects seem to be linked to ectopic pregnancies and the tubes potentially re-joining. Plus the usual risk associated with surgery. In short, it sounds a little too good to be true.

(Please spare me the talk about alternative options - I am aware of them).

I was sterilised about 15 years ago, very straightforward keyhole surgery, felt a bit sore in the abdominal area for a couple of days but that’s all. It had zero impact on my periods. I went through the menopause about 10 years after that. I had no problems with it and would recommend as a contraceptive.

I had it done 20 years ago. The only problem I had was they left quite a bit of gas in me from the keyhole surgery which was painful under my ribs for a few days. I've never regretted it (post menopausal now). I liked the absolute certainty that I wouldn't have any more children, it helped me be more focused in life, if that makes sense.

I hope you get one if you decide it's for you, they're not keen on funding it these days.

the pill had an awful affect on my periods. My periods are more normal now.

Mine was about 12 years ago and didn't regret it even though I was only 28, few days rest I was back at work after 5 days. Periods are fine no trouble

I was sterilised about 20 years ago when I had to have a gynae op for something else. It was keyhole surgery and I was home the same day.

Had mine over thirty years ago and would recommend it 100%. No side effects.

I was sterilised at 34. It was keyhole surgery, but because I went down to theatre quite late, and fainted in the loo afterwards, I stayed in overnight. I healed very quickly, and it was great knowing that I couldn't get pregnant! My periods stayed the same. I have been through the menopause and I'm now 50. It was exactly the right choice for me.

I was sterilised in my early thirties. I am seven years older than DH, so reckoned if he died first, I would be too old to want more kids, yet if I died he might form a relationship with a younger woman who wanted children of his own.

Uncharacteristically thoughtful of me, but happy to report both still alive, though ancient.

Yes, even in the early 1980s, it was hard to get sterilised. We both went to our GP who kept turning to DH saying “She would need a general anaesthetic and sometimes people die” , and pushing for DH to be vasectomised instead, “It won’t make you any less of a man you know”.

But we stuck to our guns; operation on a Thursday, back at work on Monday, though that was actually a little premature.

No problems and sex became just for fun, no worries about remembering pills or getting pregnant.

I had a tubal ligation done 8 months ago. Unfortunately, I'm the 1 in 200 it didn't work for and I'm now 7 weeks pregnant. I did have it done during my daughter's c section, I've since been told the failure rate is higher during a c section as everything is swollen. Wish they'd mentioned this before!
Between having it done and falling pregnant, I have found my periods to be very heavy, not painful but heavy that I must change pads extremely frequently.

I was sterilised 10 years ago, it was keyhole surgery and I had relatively little pain afterwards. It was day surgery so no hospital stay required. I'm really pleased I had it done as the pill didnt really agree with me.

Mine was done during a c-section almost 5 years ago.

Was the most liberating thing I have ever done.

I was sterilised at 26 a few months ago.

I went to the hospital at lunchtime, had a "are you sure?" conversation, my blood pressure taken, surgical stockings fitted and then sat around waiting for my slot.

I was under general anesthetic less than an hour. They went in through my belly button and to the left of my groin. The stitches disolved after a few weeks and you can't see any scarring.

It was fairly painful afterwards, I can't lie. Bending over wasn't fun so I struggled getting in and out of bed for a week or so. Also had some cramping but nothing a few painkillers couldn't sort out.

My periods have been exactly the same and I wasn't on any contraception before.

It has been fantastic for me, just a few months in

I am aware this is a very vague post so please ask any questions

I had it done after baby #4, I was 39. No changes to anything. Liberating!

I was sterilised after my 3rd child (2nd pregnancy on the pill) but I had my tubes cauterised not clipped, was sore for a few days and with a newborn didn't make it easy and have not regretted it for one single day my periods were the same and I hit the menopause at 46 so maybe that was the only long term effect

Had it done 14 years ago and until recently (peri menopausal)I've had no issues at all. Best thing I ever did

Anyone had this done when they haven't had any children?

Do you have to have it done under a general anaesthetic? Do they do spinal / local?

That most CCG’s won’t fund it unless it’s during elective section. Late 30s, have had postpartum psychosis so absolutely sure I don’t want any more, but my only option would be to go private.

My friend had it done last year, no children. She's had no complications and is happy.

I had it done when I was 29, and I have endometriosis now, I don't know if that's been caused by it. But I'm definitely impregnable.

I was done 7 years ago and the only down side for me was regret. I can't get it undone easily and I'd love another baby. On the plus side AF has been absolutely regular as clockwork since, every 28 days on the nail, whereas before I never had any clue where I was at!
Had it done as day case, recovery was quick and pain was minimal.

I was sterilised ten years ago when I was having abdominal surgery for something else. I was in a lot of pain after the operation but that was due to the 10 inch incision they'd made! Once I recovered it has been great not to have to worry about contraception.

I was sterilised in Colombia aged 44 when having a minor op for endometriosis. They said I was too old to be wanting children and it was what they thought best! I had no idea they were going to do it and had no side effects apart from some slight confusion they thought it appropriate to do it without asking me!

I had it done at age 29, 2 and a half years ago. I had it done straight after my fourth child was born by c section. I never noticed any additional problems in my section recovery. However afterwards my periods have been heavier and more painful. I'm still glad I had it done though.

I had it done 4 years ago, recovery took nearly a week but I think that was due to the general anaesthetic taking its toll rather than the keyhole surgery. No side effects since and absolutely liberating not having to worry about getting pregnant or take hormonal contraception.

Like @THNG5, whose story terrifies me, I had c mine done during c section (#3). I insisted the mw wrote it down on my notes from booking in and at each subsequent appointment so they could see I was serious.
Absolutely no regrets. Periods still much the same, cycle length the same and still have ovulation pain exactly as before. DH would never have agreed to vasectomy so this seemed like the easier option!