The decision is made.  Your family is complete and you are ready to pursue permanent sterilization.  There are several options available and the decision is a very personal one. 

• Tubal ligation is a simple surgical technique that blocks the tubes so the egg and the sperm cannot meet, causing a pregnancy. 
• Essure® is a permanent sterilization procedure often done in the physician's office with very little down-time.  Micro-inserts are placed in the fallopian tubes causing a natural barrier to form, preventing sperm from reaching the eggs. 

                                           

	TUBAL LIGATION (The traditional method of ’tying the tubes’)	ESSURE® (Newer method of sterilization)
Anesthesia	General anesthesia	Light sedation in the office
Risk Factors	Minimally invasive but has higher surgical risk for complications vs a nonsurgical alternative	Lower surgical risk as it does not require an incision into the abdomen
Effective	Immediately	Must use birth control for  three months until a hysterosalpingogram (an x-ray procedure) is done to confirm the inserts are in the tubes and the there is complete blockage
Recovery Time	Approximately one week.  Many women report moderate pain	Minimal ‘down time’.  Women are back to normal activity the next day.
Failure Rate	Approximately 1/200 over 10 years	Recent trials suggest failure rate is zero when the HSG exam confirms tubes are blocked

Vasectomy is a permanent sterilization choice for men.  The doctor usually snips a small piece out of each tube (the vas deferens) and ties off the cut ends, preventing sperm from leaving the body.  The Women's Health Group does not perform vasectomies; you and your partner will be referred to a physician who specializes in this procedure.

Permanent sterilization is exactly that: permanent.  It is a decision that should not be taken lightly.  Our physicians are happy to discuss all the available options with you. 

Click here for more information on the Essure procedure.