Guilt or Regret about Tubes Tied…
Is it PTLS or another medical or gynecologic problem?
The symptoms of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS) can be widespread and pervasive. Women who have problems after a tubal ligation, however, may not have PTLS. Another medical or gynecological condition may be at the root of the symptoms. The prior article in this series on PTLS reviewed medical and gynecologic disorders that may cause menstrual problems after a tubal ligation.
Over 7,000 tubal ligation reversals have been performed at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. We have had the opportunity to see the impact on these women whose tubes have been tied and who, having regretted that decision, have had their tubes untied.
Under what circumstances were the tubes tied?
Often, the decision to have a one’s tubes tied is made under stressful circumstances. Sometimes the decision to have the tubes untied is made under similar circumstances. The staff of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center has compiled a list of stressful reasons women have had tubal ligations or have come to us seeking ligation reversal. Stressful circumstances under which patients sometimes have a sterilization procedure or a sterilization reversal include:
• Forced by parent or spouse
• Pressured by doctor
• Frightened by medical conditions or illness
• Mid-life crises
• Empty nest syndrome
• Infidelity
• Divorce
• Death of spouse
• Fear of birth control risks
• Decision while in poverty
• Decision during period of substance abuse
• Illness/death of close family member
• Sterilization while in an abusive relationship
• Death of a child
• Religious conversion
Regret and guilt can be powerful forces on any individual. Given the appropriate stressful circumstances these feelings can be amplified and can spread into other aspects of ones life. When decisions are made under stressful conditions, as listed above, one can easily see how this may leave a lasting sense of remorse upon any individual. The sense of remorse can be even more dramatic when the thought is suppressed and eventually emerges in the future during a stressful life event. Then consider the sense of regret and how these feeling could be increased as a person grows older and wiser when a person finds their ‘life’s match’ or if their pastor tells them they ‘violated the will of God’ by having their ‘tubes tied’.
How common is regret after tubal sterilization?
Most women do not regret their decision to have a tubal ligation. However, 1 out of 4 women will regret their decision about having their tubes tied. This was shown in the CREST Study mentioned in a previous article.
Offering Hope at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
The tubal ligation reversal experts at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center help women in reversing these ‘permanent’ decisions when they are no longer the right decisions for individuals and couples. We have helped many patients come by restoring the hope of new life and the chance for some to relieve their burdens of guilt and regret.
This is the fourth article of a fourteen part series on PTLS and associated medical conditions. The fifth article, Psychological Conditions or Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome?, will address common psychological conditions that could be masquerading as Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome.
Readers can also view patient submitted stories about their menstrual symptoms, reasons for reversing tubal ligation, and outcomes after reversal reversal surgery. Each patient’s story is listed below:
Meet Momzilla
Meet Andrea
Meet Rebecca
Meet Praybelieving
Meet Katherine
We invite readers to join the Tubal Reversal Message Board to discuss and share personal experiences with tubal ligation. We also invite women with post tubal ligation symptoms to join the PTLS Forum and share personal experiences with worsening physical or mental symptoms noticed after tubal ligation.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
A common concern I hear when I speak with a potential patient is her belief that she is the only person who has changed her mind about having had a tubal ligation. This blog shows how many reasons there are for a change of heart and the reasons women desire a reversal after a tubal ligation.
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I am glad that we are able to help the ladies that want to reverse their decisions, whether it’s because they want more children or wanting to feel “whole again”. Giving people a second chance is an important aspect of what all of us do at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Women sharing their reasons for tubal ligation is within itself a healing tool. Thanks to all who shared so that Dr. Montheith could write about this on his blog. We all have different passages in life.It’s great to know that tubal reversal is an option just as tubal ligation was for that particular time in one’s life.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
It is very rewarding to see renewed hope everyday I come to work. Whether it be from PTLS syptoms, or other menstrual problems after a tubal ligation, or for families that desire to add a new member.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
In addition to the fact that so many women have regrets for having their tubes tied, there are so many women out there yet who believe that their tubal ligation is permanent, but in fact, tubal reversal here at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is successful in 98% of the ligations performed.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
We are all very happy that we are able to provide patients with a second chance, regardless of their reason for initially choosing sterilization surgery.
September 24th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Thank you Dr Monteith, excellent topic and forum for our ladies who have come to us for reversal of their tied tubes. My life is touched daily by their stories and their reasons for coming to Chapel Hill.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:54 am
I had my tubes tied while undergoing my 4th D&C following miscarriage and my husband’s father was undergoing chemo treatments for recurrent lung cancer. To say it was a stressful time is an understatement. I started regretting my decision when I got my first period after but not because I wanted another baby at that time - my period was nine days long with the most intense cramping and heavy bleeding I had ever experienced. I thought something was not right. Every month my period came was torture due to the pain. About 6 months after my TL I began investigating TR though it took years before we were able to get it done.
We were fortunate enough to have had a baby after my TR but the relief from PTLS was worth it no matter what!
September 25th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Unfortunately during stressful times is the worst time to make any life changing decision, but that is when most of us feel the need to “do something” rather than endure the current stressor. In the case of tubal reversal, fortunately this is a real and sucessful solution to making a wrong decision right.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I thank God for this web site because it let know I am not alone. I desire to have more kids. I had my tubes tied from pressure from family. I really regret it and it’s frustrating. I need help. I have been married for 12 years and me and my husband desire another child, just trying now to come up with the right amount of funds.
September 27th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I regret tying my tubes so much it hurts me. My ex-husband was extremely selfish he had already been married before me and has 4 children my daughter made 5 kids after having a miserable pregancy i thought i didn’t want anymore kids but now my daughter is 4years old with no one to play with, i regret it and i met a wonderful man that helps me with my daughter, he is a excellent farther and we want so bad to have a child together.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:07 pm
My TL was performed during the c-section of our 3rd child. I was laying there dizzy from anesthesia and at that particular moment the doctor asked if I wanted more children. The next thing I knew I was authorizing a TL. The moment I held our baby girl I sobbed… I knew I had made a terrible decision; the regret was instantaneous. It took 5 years before I could “right” my “wrong” and finding Dr. Berger was right for me… I’m still praying for my tiny miracle. I also no longer suffer long, heavy and painful periods!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Sometimes, what seems like the right choice at that moment may end up being something that you regret doing. As time passes, and your situation changes, your outlook on life does too. I am happy to be a part of the team that can change the choice that was made in the past, for whatever reason it was made.
October 6th, 2008 at 7:03 am
I am glad to be a part of a team that cares for their patients enough to go above and beyond to provide answers.
October 8th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I am not sure what questions to ask? I am 29 years old and have had my tubes tied for 8 years now. I have always felt that it was the wrong choice to make but under the stress at that time I followed my bad choice! I really want to have this reversed but I do not know how or where to get this done. My Husband and I really want to share the joy of being parents! We live in Alberta Canada and are lost in the area of finding help close to us, if any one could help with any info please let me know!
my e-mail is bumm_bleb_ee@hotmail.com
Thank you so very much
October 9th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Melissa
I have sent you a personal email to help answer your questions.