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Evelyn Resh MPH,CNM(Certified Sexuality Counselor & Nurse-Midwife)answered(8/6/2012)While I understand and respect your position, I believe it will be difficult to find someone who will be willing to perform a sterilization procedure for you, given your age and the fact that you have not had any children. Have you considered using a Paragard IUD? It is a hormone-free intra-uterine device that is good for 10 years and a very sensible alternative. The efficacy rate on this is 98% - only 15 less effective than a tubal ligation and much less invasive. I realize that many folks feel that sterilization would be 100% effective, but the only method that is is a same sex partner or abstinence. As a women's health care provider that has discussed this very issue with patients before, I would not recommend sterilization and many of my colleagues feel the same - whether they are in LA or in the northeast where I practice. Investigate the Paragard as an alternative. Then. have a tubal ligation in 8-10 years. You'll have more success finding an amenable practitioner. Should you change your life or your mind about having children all you would need to do is remove the IUD in an office procedure that takes a few moments versus have a second surgery to reverse a tubal ligation.
Evelyn Resh MPH,CNM(Certified Sexuality Counselor & Nurse-Midwife)answered(8/6/2012)Actually, the average age of menopause is 51 and given that a pregnancy CAN and DOES occur in women in their 40's, a tubal at 41 is not ridiculous.
FleurDeLisanswered(8/6/2012)My OB/GYN has advised me that the Paraguard IUD will not fit me. Also, should I change my mind about not having kids (though I think it's more likely that pigs will take flight) I would adopt. Extremely unlikely though. I'd rather jump off a cliff than raise a child.
In short, I want to get snipped.
If I had a dollar for every "if you change your mind" warning...
I understand what you're saying, but you have to see it from our perspective as health care providers. I have had women say after they have had this procedure at your age that they can't understand why their OB/GYN agreed. This puts us in a real bind. Why won't the Paragard "Fit?" This is most peculiar. Perhaps you need to see a new provider all the way around. I know that my saying you might change your mind is the LAST thing you want to read. But we can't do something as significant as surgery and a tubal on a woman of childbearing age who does not have children. It's just not sound practice.
FleurDeLisanswered(8/6/2012)Also, having a tubal ligation in 8-10 years, as you suggest, is pretty senseless given that I will likely be entering menopause!
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FleurDeLisanswered(8/6/2012)"I have had women say after they have had this procedure at your age that they can't understand why their OB/GYN agreed. This puts us in a real bind."
If I change my mind, it's my own fault if I have to go through further procedures to have a reversal/etc. And given the forms I'd have to sign, what liability would the medical providers face?
Men I've known that have vasectomies in their twenties haven't received half this sort of questioning.
As far as the IUD not fitting, I don't know why I was told that, but that was the answer I received.
