Are You Thinking of Sterilisation?

It doesn’t matter if it’s male or female sterilization – the decision should really be thought out.

 

Sterilisation isn’t an easy decision. (jlp)

Sterilisation is a procedure done mostly by women who don’t want children any longer.  Sterilisation can have very contradictory consequences. On one hand, the procedure is accompanied by a lot of psychological confusion and on the other hand, many people are reporting about a much greater sense of relaxation and consequently a more spontaneous, satisfactory sexuality.

Some see sterilisation as an opportunity for more relaxed sexual activities. (jlp)

Male sterilisation – vasectomy

 

What is vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a small surgical procedure to sterilise a man. The spermatic duct is cut on both sides of the body, or it’s either tied up or partially removed. The procedure is done in about 15 minutes in a clinic and a local anaesthetic is enough. The sterilisation procedure is much easier and simpler for a man and it would be better if more men did it instead of women.

Side effects of vasectomy

Side effects of a vasectomy are rare. A vasectomy perhaps slightly increases the chances of prostate cancer. The danger of prostate cancer is increased with the amount of time that passes after the procedure. The most common problem with a vasectomy is bleeding or a hematoma. In case of a bigger hematoma, rest and pain killers are advisable, in exceptional cases hospitalisation can even occur. There are no later problems with a vasectomy.

Men still think that sterilisation takes away their manhood. (jlp)

Fertility and sexuality after a vasectomy

The restoration of fertility is difficult. The success rate of undoing a vasectomy depends on many factors: the nature of the first operation, the use of microsurgical procedures and the time elapsed from the vasectomy. A man experiences an orgasm the same way as before, only there is no longer any semen in the ejaculation. After the operation, it takes several months before there’s no semen left in the ejaculation, so some other contraception is required for some time. Male sterilisation is confirmed as being effective after two negative tests performed in the space of four weeks. These tests ascertain the presence of sperms in the ejaculation.

 

Many decide for sterilisation because they already have a big family. (jlp)

Female sterilisation

 

The procedure for female sterilisation

Doctors cut the woman’s oviduct and thus prevent the egg from reaching the uterus. Sterilisation is a more complicated procedure with women. The woman is under anaesthesia and has to remain in hospital for two days. There are many women who see this as their last resort because other forms of contraception aren’t appropriate for them.

 

 

 

Medical reasons for female sterilisation

Sterilisation is also a medical procedure for women with no other choice – like women with blood pressure that’s too high or heart patients. In such a case, one needn’t wait half a year, but sterilisation is done instantly, during an abortion, for example. However, a committee must sanction this action in advance. Sterilisation also used to be a medical procedure during a second C-section in order for the third one to be prevented. Nowadays, the stitching material is much better and the scars are firmer, nicer and more durable. All of this enables a woman more pregnancies, if that’s what she wants.

Men and women are equal when it comes to the laws about sterilisation. (jlp)

What happens to the female body after sterilisation?

An egg which matures during ovulation gets inside the abdominal cavity and is destroyed. Some women have stronger menstrual pains after the operation. Women still have menstrual cycles after sterilisation because the hormonal cycle is uninterrupted.
The chances for later restoration of fertility with a surgical procedure are relatively small (around 20 percent).

Who decides to get sterilised?

 

Sterilisation isn’t something you can do easily. There are laws regarding it and they are equal for men and women. Usually, the minimum age is 35 and there’s a waiting list of at least 6 months.  You have to apply for it with a social worker. The waiting list isn’t there because of slow bureaucracy, but because the decision for sterilisation is one of the hardest decisions in a person’s life. The capability of fertilisation and impregnation are two of the most important human functions. Many people regret the decision.

There’s still a possibility of fertilisation with the help of biomedicine even after sterilisation. (jlp)

 

Pregnancy can be possible despite sterilisation

 

Once, sterilisation was considered a final and irreversible method, but this is no longer the case. Even after sterilisation, pregnancy is still possible with the help of biomedicine. Nowadays, it’s possible to take semen from a man’s testicles and grow and fertilise the egg in a laboratory, in a test tube. It’s also possible to restore the oviducts, but it is a difficult and risky procedure.

Also – when talking about protection, we mustn’t forget that, during intercourse, people use protection to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Sterilisation means protection only from pregnancy and not sexually transmitted diseases.

 

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