Tubal ligation, dh doesn’t want vasectomy

[Muddytoes1]

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place to post but just had baby number two and want to stop there. Definitely, definitely - love them both but we are done! Dh said he’d be happy to get the snip but after doing some research he’s now freaked out by the apparently high incidence of long term pain following this procedure. I was always of the ‘well I gave birth’ school of thought but the reality is if he ended up with long term pain it would be awful, not just for him but for the whole family if he was miserable all the time.

So I’ve started looking at having a tubal. Has anyone had this? It seems not very pleasant but most issues seem to be surrounding the days surrounding the op rather than long term issues. Just looking for people’s thoughts and experiences please. I’m so done with having to think about contraception and have tried everything. In my head the main way most contraceptives work is by making you never want to have sex. Thank you! 😁

I have just had this done.

They removed my Fallopian tubes as new research shows that it reduces the risk of ovarian cancer so I was happy for them to do that. Also that reduces risk of ectopic pregnancy as well which is cited as a risk.

I definitely needed two weeks to recover and a third week to slowly get back to fitness.

Thanks so much squeakynuts that’s good to hear. Now you’re recovered do you have any lasting pain or do you feel good now? Sounds like it’s s bit of a recovery so think if I do it I’ll wait until I’ve finished breastfeeding so my body isn’t doing too much.

Where did he do his research?

I had my tubes removed a couple of years ago and it was fine. Mild discomfort for a day or two but nothing lasting. Not worrying every month about being pregnant makes it utterly worth it!

I had a tubal ligation with my c section. I recovered within about 2 weeks. I still get normal periods, they are not any heavier or lighter than before. Its the best decision I ever made. I don't have to think about contraception.

I had a tubal ligation done during my elcs with dc4. Painwise i was more tender than usual for a week, but was back up and running withinnormal timeframes cosidering the section. I also had no problems with breast feeding.

You are likely to have to pay for tubal ligation unless you are having it at the same time as other necessary surgery.
It is s more major procedure than vasectomy with more risks at the time and for long term problems and is less effective. Other methods of contraception for women such as coil/ mirena/ implant are at least as effective contraceptively with fewer risks and are reversible if you change your mind. For this reason the nhs would expect you to go down these routes.

I had it done when DC was 14 months. Was done a Monday by Thur was feeling ok and back work following Monday.. desk job.
My body didnt tolerate hormone contraceptives very well so that front been great. Periods quite heavy but kinda normal for me pre contraceptive days anyhow so prob just my body.

I feel fine now and the wounds have almost fully healed.

I could have had it done on the NHS as the consultant was happy to refer me if I got my GP to write to him but I went privately instead as I didn't want to wait as there was long waiting list.

I should say my DH didn't want a vasectomy due to the risk of long term pain. I do think that risk is overlooked as it wasn't mentioned when he went to the GP to investigate yet I had every risk fully explained. I do wonder if it's because it's cheaper for a vasectomy and they know the risk of pain puts a lot of men off so they gloss over it. Even the conservative 1-3% risk cited in the research papers is still a risk and I certainly had every percentage risk mentioned.

The reason I went for it was because it's me that would have to terminate a pregnancy so getting pregnant affects me more than him. Being off work was more problematic for him than me so having long term complications would also be more problematic for him rather than me.

The only regret is that I didn't do this years ago as the ironic thing is that since stopping the pill, which is why I had it done, I still haven't had a period and I am wondering whether I ever will given my age.

Sorry for another post.

I know people say it only took a few days to recover but I was still on codeine for pain for the first week. The second week I could potter about in the house but still had to take it easy as I some pain although not enough to need pain killers. Third week I was back at work but not up to full strength.

I wonder if that was because they removed my tubes rather than just clamping them. That alone puts another 30 mins onto the time you are under so more GA as well as more things inside needing to recover from the trauma.

I had it done, just had them clipped. I was fine the following day.

Many CCGs won't fund it now because they say vasectomies are cheaper and a couple should have that done instead. I was in the same boat, dh didn't want it done but happy for me to have it done....I can't make him! Mine was 15 years ago so nhs paid for it no arguement.

Thanks for all the responses, that’s really helpful. Sounds like even if I wanted to go down that route it might be difficult to get it approved. I assume I could get this done privately though no idea how much that would cost. Has anyone had it done privately? @squeakynuts sounds like you had quite a tough recovery compared to some and yes I wonder if it’s because it was a different procedure or if your body maybe reacted badly. Tbh though a few weeks of recovery would be preferable to months of pain so I’m still happy to consider it if it’s an option.

Privately it cost £150 to see a gynaecologist for a consultation.

They would have subsequently referred me onto their NHS list so maybe go down that route first if you want to see if you qualify for that route.

However I wanted it done straight away and at a time that suited me. Privately it cost me £2500.

That cost btw was the same for clipping the tubes as well as removing them.

Thanks that useful to have an idea and that’s more than we could manage at the moment. Have my 6 week dr check soon so will discuss it then x

I had my clips put on during my last section 4 years ago. The recovery time was no different to my other sections and my cycles have been the usual 28 days since I got them back. No problem and I'm very happy with not worrying about pregnancy.

At last the side affects of vasectomy being taken seriously rather than been glossed over. I was left in constant pain 2 operations later and they was talk of losing a testical . Worse decision of my life don't think Will ever be pain free.

I had this done, had tubes cut, best thing I ever did.

Please read up on the clamping method, there are many lawsuits going on over Essure, which has caused many people long term pain.

I was able to get them cut because I was going under for adhesions removal anyway. I refused the Essure solution. Good luck.