Tubal ligation is not as useful for preventing pregnancy as we thought.

When someone has a stable partner and already has children or it is simply clear that he does not want them, he begins to think about permanent methods of contraception. Traditionally, the most common were tubal ligation and vasectomy. There was a time when the former stood out. Although it was the more invasive of the two methods, women were often the ones willing to put an end to their fertility. For men, it was almost castration. Nowadays, thankfully, vasectomy is much more common than it was back then, although tubal ligation has not gone out of use. However, the most recent research on the subject suggests that tying the tubes is not advisable. much less effective than we thoughtMany women still become pregnant with all the consequences that entails.

The figures on the effectiveness of tubal ligation that were taken into account until recently were taken from a study conducted in the 80s. This indicated the frequency of pregnancy. 1% for the next 5 years for sterilization. Now we know that this figure is actually much higher.

This makes one think that the methods of performing tubal ligation should be improved. But also because other permanent methods of contraception should be sought. It is not worth resorting to something so aggressive if, what is worse, probability of pregnancy This will continue to be important.

What is tubal ligation?

fallopian tube These are the tubes that the ovum (unfertilized egg) travels down from the ovary to the uterus to prepare for fertilization. It is during this process of descent that the sperm must reach it. If it does not, the fertilized egg will not be able to implant in the uterus and will shed the endometrium, giving way to menstruation. Another month without pregnancy.

Tubal ligation is surgical procedure in which the fallopian tubes are cut and tied so that the egg cannot leave the ovary and, moreover, the sperm cannot rise to it.

Since this method was first used, it has undergone many modifications. For example, they tried to insert devices into the tubes that would prevent the egg and sperm from meeting. Unfortunately, the pregnancy rate was very high, so this modification fell out of use. Then it was tested remove the tubes completely. As soon as possible, this should be the most effective way to prevent pregnancy. However, over the years it has been proven that even in this case, if a minimal remnant of the fallopian tubes remains, the meeting of the egg and sperm can still occur.

What are the pregnancy rates?

There have been several studies looking at pregnancy rates after tubal ligation. The most recent study, conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, found that almost 3% of 4000 women participant became pregnant one year after tubal ligation. Moreover, 10 years later, the pregnancy rate was already 8.4%.

Be careful if you become pregnant after having a tubal ligation.

The lack of functional fallopian tubes does not always prevent the egg and sperm from meeting. The problem is that they can no longer do so on their way down to the uterus, as they normally do. Therefore, pregnancies that occur after this form of sterilization are usually ectopic. That is, the embryo is implanted somewhere outside the uterus. This is, logically, not viable. Pregnancy does not occur; But, in addition, the life of the pregnant woman may be in danger.

Other alternatives

The authors of this latest study note that if women are looking for permanent contraception, it is much more effective to resort to to an intrauterine device (IUD) or contraceptive patch. If placed correctly, the chances of pregnancy are very, very low. It is also reversible in case they regret it at some point and want to have children.

However, it should be noted that vasectomy is one of the most effective methods of contraception available. It is performed by cutting and ligating the vas deferens, which carries sperm come out of the testicles. Therefore, even if ejaculation occurs, there will be no sperm in the semen.

The pregnancy rate after using this method is very close to 0. In particular, it is assumed that pregnancy can occur in 1 in 1000 cases after the first year and from 2 to 10 cases per 1000 in the next 5 years.

Without a doubt, this is a great option, the reversibility of which is easier than tubal ligation. These are all the advantages.