Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery

Developments in medicine and technology have also significantly advanced birth control methods. Today, there are many different birth control methods for women. In addition to temporary methods such as IUDs, birth control pills and condoms, there are also permanent birth control methods such as tubal ligation surgery. Closed tubal ligation surgery is one of the most effective and permanent solutions for preventing pregnancy and is a surgical procedure that aims to permanently stop fertility.

What is Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery?

Closed tubal ligation surgery is a surgical birth control method that aims to permanently stop women's fertility. During this procedure, the fallopian tubes between the ovaries and the uterus are tied, cut or burned to prevent the sperm and egg cell from meeting. This makes it impossible for the egg to be fertilized and pregnancy does not occur.

The success rate of tubal ligation surgery is over 99%, meaning that it is almost impossible to get pregnant naturally after the procedure.

Why is Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery Performed?

This surgery is performed to provide permanent birth control. Closed tubal ligation surgery can be applied in the following cases:

• When there are enough children and no other children are planned
• When pregnancy poses a serious health risk for the mother
• To prevent serious diseases that can be genetically transmitted
• When the desired efficiency cannot be obtained from other birth control methods

Tubal ligation surgery is a one-time procedure and does not require regular follow-up like birth control pills or IUDs. Therefore, it is an economical and practical method in the long term.

Who Can Have Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery?

• Adult individuals who are over 18 years of age
• Women who are not planning a pregnancy or who think they have enough children
• Women for whom pregnancy poses a health risk
• Individuals with genetic diseases in their family

However, since tubal ligation surgery is a permanent procedure, the person must be absolutely determined before the surgery. Although it is possible to reopen the tubes with microsurgical methods afterwards, fertility may not return completely.

How is Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery Performed?

This operation is usually performed with laparoscopic surgery (closed method). The stages of closed tubal ligation surgery are as follows:

1. Anesthesia Application: The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, meaning the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.

2. Procedure with Laparoscopy Method:

   • Small incisions (usually less than 1 cm) are made in the abdomen.

   • A device containing a special camera called a laparoscope is inserted through these incisions.

   • The fallopian tubes are tied, cut or burned closed using special surgical techniques.

3. After the Procedure is Completed: The incisions are closed with stitches and the patient is kept under observation for a few hours after the anesthesia wears off.

4. Discharge Process: Most patients can be discharged on the same day and return to their daily lives within 1-2 days.

Closed tubal ligation surgery is a more comfortable and faster recovery method compared to open surgery.

 

How is Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery Performed?

 

Recovery Process After Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery

Here are some points that patients should pay attention to after the surgery:

• There may be mild abdominal pain and swelling in the first few days, this will go away on its own.
• Heavy exercises and physical activities should be avoided.
• Medications recommended by the doctor after the surgery should not be neglected.
• Attention should be paid to the hygiene of the stitched areas.
• It is recommended not to have sexual intercourse for the first week.

The patient usually recovers completely within a week and can return to daily life.

Is Closed Tubal Ligation Surgery Reversible?

Although closed tubal ligation surgery is a reversible procedure, fertility may not return completely to its previous state. It may be possible to open the tubes with microsurgical techniques, but the chance of pregnancy may be low. Therefore, it is important to make a definitive decision before having tubal ligation surgery.

Since it is considered an irreversible procedure, a detailed evaluation should be made before the surgery and a decision should be made together with the doctor.

Does Tubal Ligation Cause Irregular Menstrual Periods?

Tubal ligation surgery does not cause irregular menstrual periods. During the procedure, only the fallopian tubes between the ovaries and the uterus are tied, preventing the sperm and the egg from meeting. This intervention is not related to the natural mechanisms that affect the woman's hormonal balance or menstrual cycle.

Women continue to ovulate and menstruate in the same way after surgery. The wrong belief that tubal ligation causes irregular menstrual periods is mostly due to incorrect physiological information or rumors spread among the public.

Does Tubal Ligation Cause Menopause?

Closed tubal ligation surgery does not cause early menopause. Menopause is a natural process that occurs when ovarian function decreases and estrogen production decreases. However, tubal ligation does not affect the functioning of the ovaries.

Therefore, women who have tubal ligation continue to ovulate and can have regular menstrual periods until their natural menopause age. If menstrual irregularity occurs after tubal ligation, this is usually related to the aging process, hormonal changes or a different gynecological disorder.

Can You Get Pregnant Again After Tubal Ligation Surgery?

Although tubal ligation surgery is considered one of the permanent birth control methods, microsurgical techniques can be applied to reopen the tubes and make pregnancy possible naturally.

However, the following points should be considered:

• Even if the tubes are reopened, fertility may not be as high as before.
• The pregnancy rate after tubal ligation surgery varies depending on factors such as age, ovarian reserve and the condition of the tubes.
• In some cases, it may not be possible to open the tubes and in vitro fertilization treatment may be recommended.

Therefore, before the tubal ligation procedure, it should be evaluated in detail whether the person has future pregnancy plans.