What is it?

Tubal ligation, also referred to as sterilization or having your tubes tied, is a surgery to close your fallopian tubes.

How does it work?

• The fallopian tube is blocked or removed, so the sperm and egg can no longer meet.
• The procedure is done by Laparoscopy, Abdominally, or by Hysteroscopy.
  • Laparoscopy (click to expand) »

    The doctor makes a small incision in the abdomen and clips, burns or removes the fallopian tube.

  • Abdominally (click to expand) »

    During a cesarean section birth, a doctor can clip or remove the fallopian tubes.

  • Hysteroscopy (click to expand) »

    The doctor uses a vaginal approach to put small inserts into the fallopian tubes to block them.

Talk to your health-care provider about which method is best for you.

How effective is it?

• There is a slight risk of becoming pregnant after tubal ligation.
• About five out of 1,000 women will become pregnant after one year of Tubal Ligation surgery.
• About 13 out of 1,000 women will become pregnant within five years following Tubal Ligation surgery.
• Pregnancy may occur if:
  • The tubes grow back together, or a new passage forms, allowing sperm to fertilize an egg.
  • You were pregnant at the time of surgery.

For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of Tubal Ligation, check out this infographic from Sex & U.

Is Tubal Ligation right for you?

• Tubal ligation is permanent.
• You should only get the procedure if you are sure you do not want to be able to get pregnant for the rest of your life.
• Talk to your health-care provider to help determine if it is right for you.
• If you are unsure, there are many other reliable birth control methods available that are reversible.

For a birth control method that provides the greatest protection against pregnancy, check out the IUD and Implant pages.

Does it prevent sexually transmitted infections?

• No, Tubal Ligation will not protect you or your partners from sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
• To protect against pregnancy and STBBIs, use dual protection. This means using a condom and/or oral dam (dental dam) with another form of birth control each time you have sex.
• Talk to a health-care provider about birth control and STBBI prevention.

Services related to this information:

• Contact Planned Parenthood — NL Sexual Health Centre at 1-877 NO MYTHS (666-9847) or 709-579-1009
• Contact your Public Health Nurse.
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
• Medicuro Virtual Health Clinic
  • Virtual health care offered by health-care providers in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Eastern-Urban:

• Contact the Sexual Health Clinic at sexualhealthclinic@easternhealth.ca.
• Contact the community walk-in clinic (Mundy Pond) at 709-777-1706.