Most women are not aware of the long term effects tubal ligation can have on their minds and bodies.
Often the decision is made with the understanding the tubal ligation is irreversible and will only prevent them from being able to get pregnant again.
It is this permanent prevention of pregnancy and conception that is responsible for the most common long term effect of tubal ligation.
Although tubal ligations are meant to be permanent, these procedures can be reversed and the tubal ligation long term effects can be reversed as well.
Long Term Tubal Ligation Effects
The most common long term tubal ligation effect is deep regret over not being able to have additional children.
The largest medical study on the consequences of tubal ligation, U.S. Collaborative Review of Sterilization, revealed sterilization regret can be as common as 2 out of every 5 women who have their tubes tied!
The chance of regret is very dependent on the age of the women at the time her tubes were tied. Tubal regret was the highest among women under the age of 25 and was the lowest among women who had their tubes tied after the age of 30.
Problems With Tubal Ligation: Future Is Unpredictable
The main problem with a tubal ligation is that no person can predict the future. Often the decision to have a tubal ligation is made during a very stressful time in one’s life.
The birth of a child is a wonderful thing; however, when a young woman has had two or three within several years of each other, is in an abusive relationship, has recently separated or divorced, felt social pressure from family or medical staff not to have more children, or has suffered contraceptive failure then is is very tempting to opt for the securest form birth control that exists… having one’s tubes tied.
At a young age these problems can seem insurmountable and overwhelming.
As one becomes older and wiser with time, one’s life can often change for the better. This good future change is rarely predictable and often brings great promise: Mr. Wrong is replaced with Mr. Right, the tremendous societal stress is realized, the new relationship feels so right, and the desire to have another child begins to emerge.
Post Tubal Ligation Symptoms: Depression And Regret
Tubal regret is a common post tubal ligation symptom. For some this regret of having made a permanent decision can lead to depression and despair because as life changes and one’s situation markedly improves the desire to have more children will gradually emerge; however, the ability to do so will not unless serious decisions are made.
It is possible to have more children after tubes have been tied and the three options are: tubal ligation reversal, in-vitro fertilization, and adoption.
Some women will pursue adoption but many have a strong desire to have their own children. In-vitro fertilization or tubal reversal will be the most common choices for women. Tubal reversal allows excellent chances at pregnancy and, in addition, can offer women a path to reverse the guilt and regret they may have experienced after a tubal ligation procedure.
Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome
Some women will have tubal ligation symptoms and some may have Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome. Many women will report improvement after a tubal ligation reversal and especially if their symptoms developed within weeks to months of having their tubal ligation.
For more information about Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome we encourage women read our blog series: Pain After Tubes Tied: A Symptom Of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome.
Tubal Reversal Success Rates
Tubal reversal success rate can be very excellent for many women who have their tubes reversed. After having tubal reversal, many women will be able to find relief from the regret and guilt they may have experienced after tubal ligation. As they experience the new hope of being pregnant again, approximately 70% of these women on average will be able to realize their dreams of becoming pregnant again.
For more information about tubal reversal readers should visit the website of A Personal Choice or call (919) 968-4656 for more information about tubal reversal surgery.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
