Permanent Contraception Choices

Permanent Birth Control Choices

You (and your partner) have decided that you are ready for permanent contraception. You don’t want any more  babies, and are tired of trying to remember to use contraception with each  episode of intimacy.  What are your  options?

TUBAL LIGATION

This procedure can be  performed immediately after the birth of your baby, while you’re still in the  hospital. Either this is done while you  are asleep or while your epidural is still in place and working; a 2-3 inch incision  is made under your belly button and your physician enters your abdomen, identifies your Fallopian tubes on either side of your uterus, and ties/cuts  the tubes, permanently preventing future babies. The other way is to have an  out patient procedure done under general anesthesia. This involves a 1-inch incision under your  belly button and another incision at your hairline.  The abdomen is distended with gas and the  Fallopian tubes are cut, clamped, tied, or burnt. Sutures are then used to close the incisions, which will remain tender for several days. Either of these procedures is considered immediately effective and the  long-term effectiveness is 99.6%. This procedure has about a 10% rate of chronic pain after the procedure and about a 10% rate of menstrual irregularities associated with the procedure.

VASECTOMY

The procedure is done on the male partner, usually in the Urologist’s office under local anesthesia. A small incision is made on either side of  the scrotum and the vas deference is located, tied, and cut. The incisions are sutured together, and  remain tender for four to five days. Additional contraception will be needed for approximately three months, until a semen analysis confirms the absence of sperm. After the semen analysis confirms no sperm, no additional contraception will be needed. The procedure is considered to be 99.8% effective. There are no known long-term complications associated with a vasectomy.

ESSURE

The Essure procedure  is a non-surgical form of permanent contraception. The procedure is performed in your doctor’s office under IV sedation by a Anesthesiologist. A hystroscope (a very thin lighted telescope) is placed through the vagina and cervix, and into the uterine cavity. A small micro-insert is placed in each opening of   the Fallopian tube. The insert causes the Fallopian tube to slowly close around it, usually taking approximately 3 months. The procedure takes about 15 minutes. Additional contraception is needed for 3 months, until a special X-ray  confirms that both   tubes are blocked. After that, there is no need for additional protection. For a more thorough discussion of the Essure procedure,we have provided more information and FAQs about  the Essure procedure.

At Advanced OB-GYN Associates, we provide a variety of permanent contraception options for our patients. Call today to make an appointment at 972-276-9902!