Birth Control: Surgical Sterilization
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Introduction to birth control
If a woman is sexually active and she is fertile and physically
able to become pregnant, she needs to ask herself, "Do I want to become pregnant now?"
If her answer is "No," she must use some method of birth control
(contraception).
Terminology used to describe birth control methods
include contraception, pregnancy prevention, fertility control, and family planning. But no matter what
the process is called, sexually active people can choose from a plethora of
methods to reduce the possibility of their becoming pregnant. Nevertheless, no
method of birth control available today offers perfect protection against
sexually transmitted infections (sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs), except
abstinence.
In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing
a man's sperm from reaching and entering a woman's egg (fertilization) or
preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the woman's uterus (her womb)
and starting to grow. New methods of birth control are being developed and
tested all the time. And what is appropriate for a couple at one point may
change with time and circumstances.
Unfortunately, no birth control method, except abstinence, is considered to
be 100% effective.
Permanent methods of contraception (surgical sterilization)
Sterilization is considered a permanent method of contraception. In certain cases, sterilization can be reversed, but the success of this procedure is not guaranteed. For this reason, sterilization is meant for men and women who do not intend to have children in the future.
Next: Vasectomy »
- Hysterectomy - Learn about hysterectomy procedures and options available for women. There are many types of hysterectomy surgeries including a total, radical, laparoscopy assisted vaginal hysterectomy, supracervical, and oophorectomy. The type of hysterectomy procedure will depend upon the reason for the procedure.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs) - Learn and become aware of common STDs in women, including descriptions, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of each type of infection.
- Natural Methods of Birth Control - Natural methods of birth control are non-mechanical and non-hormonal. They are also considered fertility awareness methods and there are a variety of choices for natural birth control.
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