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Original poster

Any experience of female sterilisation?

24 replies

Eruss · 04/04/2021 13:59

Did you have it under LA/GA?
Was the pain manageable after?

Did it work?

And the big Question for me is how easily did GP agree to it?

I'm mid 30s, have children. Have been on the pill on and off from a teenager but it gives me terrible mood swings and low level depression, worried the GP will want me to explore other contraceptive avenues but I'd prefer to just take the worry away completely.

OP posts:

Original poster

Eruss · 04/04/2021 15:09

Bump

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Ribeebie · 04/04/2021 15:40

I can't comment on more details on the procedure I'm afraid as I've not had it done.

Re the discussion though, it's ultimately your decision but your GP will understandably want to make sure you're fully informed to help you make the best decision for you and your individual circumstances. And that will include discussing other methods which are actually more effective (coils and implant all have a lower failure rate than female sterilisation).

Coils are either none or low hormone and generally localised effect so may be better tolerated for you than the pill.

The other thing they would want you to consider is if circumstances were ever to change (eg new relationship or god forbid the loss of a child etc) would you ever possibly change your mind re wanting more children.

Also, another thing to consider is if you have a partner whether they would consider a vasectomy instead as it's more effective and a less invasive procedure.

Once you've been referred to gynae they would discuss the different types of sterilisation available for you and what those would entail.

Hope your discussions go well, the Family Planning association and Sexwise websites have some useful info on all methods, and NHS website has some info as well on types of female sterilisation. It may just help you frame your thoughts before you discuss this with your GP.

Aquamarine1029 · 04/04/2021 15:45

Best decision I ever made. Had my tubal ligation under GA when I was 27, am 48 now, and never had any issues. The recovery was very easy and I felt great, just a bit of soreness for a couple of days. I had mine done privately so no experience with the NHS.

kimlo · 04/04/2021 15:47

It was easy to get done, but I had to stand my ground when the doctors were asking their questions. I was being asked if I was sure even when being wheeled down.

It was under general. Recovery was ok, 2 weeks off work. Probably should have taken another but I did have a chest infection and a cough.

It worked, haven't had a baby since.

Aquamarine1029 · 04/04/2021 15:47

To add, from everything I've seen, your chances of getting this done on the NHS are slim to none. Go private if you can.

moanieleminx · 04/04/2021 15:47

I had it done during a csection 6 years ago. Best decision I ever made...

RandomMess · 04/04/2021 15:50

I had mine done when I had womb ablation. I was in a lot of pain and was in recovery after 6 hours rather than getting discharged, was in for 3 nights in the end and off work for 2 weeks.

No regrets though.

FrameByFrame · 04/04/2021 15:52

I had this, but twenty years ago, so not sure how relevant it is today. I had day surgery, under GA, by the NHS. It was keyhole surgery, so no noticeable scar, and I recovered very quickly. I was in my late twenties, so GP did ask lots of questions to check that I was absolutely sure. I'd already had two children and definitely didn't want more, so it felt very liberating!

Original poster

Eruss · 04/04/2021 16:01

Thank you this is really informative.

I had considered the coil but I suffer fromy heavy periods and ive read that it can make them heavier.

Partner actually already had a vasectomy but it failed!

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RandomMess · 04/04/2021 16:03

I reckon the GP will ask you to try the mirena tbh.

Redtartanshoes · 04/04/2021 16:13

Had mine 3 years ago aged 35. NHS but ended up at private hospital. 1 child:

Best thing I’ve ever done. Was in at 6am, out at 1pm, home sitting in the garden with friends. Sore a couple of days but no worse than period pain. Periods a lot lighter since. No babies. Thank fuck.

Original poster

Eruss · 04/04/2021 16:18

I hope they don't push for the mirena as I already have bad acne, don't want sobeying that'll make it worse.
Id rather not suppress my periods either, mine are heavy but regular as clockwork so I don't mind them.

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Stuffin · 04/04/2021 16:18

Had mine done mid 40s, childfree by choice but fed up of hormonal contraception.

Went private and consultant would have don't it on the NHS had my GP referred me but I didn't want to wait potentially 18 months so paid for it privately and done in one month after initial consult. Best thing I ever did and wished I had paid for it earlier.

Tubes removed rather than clipped as consultant said they have found this reduces overian and associated cancers later in life.

jessstan2 · 04/04/2021 16:33

@FrameByFrame

Same here, it was very straightforward and I never regretted it.

Mamamamasaurus · 04/04/2021 17:01

I went down that road as DH had an unsuccessful vasectomy (it didn't fail, they couldn't get to his tubes as they were short and deep), I was discouraged by the GP who thought I'd simply opt for an implant or coil instead. I didn't and went to the consultant who also tried to dissuade me, explained that FS could make my periods heavier but blamed much of this on my BMI.

Short story - I didn't end up having it done but I didn't have to fight for it so I'm not sure why a PP stated that your chances of having it on the NHS are slim - I did have to be firm about my decision though.
The failure rate for FS is higher than MS and I think that that, along with the cost of a GA is what makes a vasectomy preferable. Could your DH have the failed procedure corrected?

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 04/04/2021 17:09

Two weeks off work?!
Had mine at 36 one child, suffered from pnd. I had no real issues with GO or consultant. Had it done under GA, keyhole, had a day on the sofa watching tv the day after.
Took no painkillers. Best thing I ever did.

Stuffin · 04/04/2021 17:13

I had 4 days off work but then worked at home. My job meant I could work when I could and stop when I needed to but I don't think I could have done a manual job.

In fact my consultant said I wouldn't be covered to drive for at least two weeks and would need to be able to slam on the emergency break with no pain.

RandomMess · 04/04/2021 17:19

Yep I was really unwell, got an infection in the keyhole site, reacted badly to the GA and the morphine.

Original poster

Eruss · 04/04/2021 17:22

I'm prepared to wait for it on the NHS especially with things being the way they are at the moment, we thoughtt about private but the cost compared to a Vasectomy is almost triple (we went private for vasectomy)
Dh would have another but after first failed we were worried same would happen again

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Original poster

Eruss · 04/04/2021 17:25

I'm just really hoping to move away from any type of hormonal contraception tbh, I don't cope well on it and having been taking nothing for the last few months I can see a real difference in my general mood, libido and no lethargy

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MrsSnitchnose · 04/04/2021 17:29

No advice, but interested in this myself. I'm planning on visiting my GP when they're having proper appointments again. I've got one DS and have known since he was born that I didn't want another one. I've been patiently waiting for over 10 years until I got over 30 and hoping they will agree to refer me. (Hoping it doesn't count against me that I don't have a partner)

minisoksmakehardwork · 04/04/2021 17:38

I had sterilisation by eassure when my twins were maybe 1-2 years old, I was about 33.

Yes, I was asked if my husband was fine with it. Yes, I was asked what would happen if we split/anything happened to our children. No one suggested alternative contraceptive and I'd been on the pill about 10 years with contraceptive failure pregnancy.

I asked gp who referred me to gynae and they asked the same questions again. I think in my favour was 4 dc. Dh and I were very clear that having 4 was our max and a vasectomy would mean time off work for Dh whereas I was a sahm at the time.

kimlo · 04/04/2021 18:31

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit yes I had 2 weeks off work. But I also had a chest infection which aparently isn't unusual with abdominal surgery when you have asthma. Plus I work in early years which is a physical job with a lot of carrying.

moanieleminx · 05/04/2021 09:26

The coil was awful for me, my periods were horrific. They stayed like this until I had an ablation done (two years after I was sterilized).
Hormonal contraceptives didn't work for me either so once our family was complete this was actually my gynecologists suggestion and I have absolutely no regrets.

It was actually very liberating

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