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    home icon > Division of Public Health > About DPH > Sections > Family Health and Systems Management Section > Family Planning > Contraceptive Options > Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)

    Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)

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    Division of Public Health

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    Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)

    What Is It?

    Surgical procedure to separate and seal the fallopian tube.

    How Does It Work?

    • Egg and sperm cannot meet
    • Prevents fertilization

    How Is It Used?

    • Local or general anesthesia is used
    • A surgical procedure is done to cut, clip or block the tubes
    • This method is permanent

    Effectiveness: 99.5%

    Some methods are more effective than others.

    Benefits:

    • Permanent
    • Does not interfere with sex

    Possible Concerns:

    • May require a waiting period (Some restrictions related to age and number of previous pregnancies may apply depending on provider)
    • Surgery may cause adverse reaction to anesthetic or infection and bleeding
    • Temporary pain
    • If pregnancy does happen, risk of tubal pregnancy is high. Any symptoms of pregnancy should be reported to clinician immediately for evaluation

    DOES NOT REDUCE RISK OF HIV/AIDS OR STDs