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Six Remarkable Comparisons Between Male and Female Sterilisation
July 5, 2021
In this post, we look at some key differences between male and female sterilisation. This can help any couple wishing to decide which method would be safer and most effective for their needs. But, of course, the choice will also be based on the individual health of both partners; (and any previous contraception experience).
Male sterilisation is also known as vasectomy.
Vasectomy is presently the most efficient method for men’s sterilisation. It is also the safest form of permanent sterilisation.
Vasectomy involves surgery to the man’s reproductive organs and must be performed by an experienced clinician.
Sperm made in the testes is transported in the semen into the penis.
A small tube connects the organ where your body makes sperm to the urinary tract in the penis, (the vas deferens).
The most common method involves cutting and removing a small piece (10-15mm) of the vas deferens through the scrotum on both sides.
Doing this will stop the sperm from flowing to the penis in the ejaculate.
Pain control: Commonly, it appears that the actual pain you experience is a lot lower than what you may anticipate.
Using a dressing and scrotal support can also help with the pain. We recommend you leave this in place for at least 48 hours.
Any serious post-procedure pain happens in up to 30% of people after surgery – but it usually resolves itself.
Other helpful pain control measures:
You can expect mild pain, swelling and bruising for the first 2-3 days.
If you experience:
you must seek urgent medical advice.
During the first 24 hours following a vasectomy, we recommend bed rest or quiet activity.
If your recovery progresses smoothly, you may return to light activity in 2-3 days after surgery.
You should avoid heavy work, sports, or lifting for 7 days at least.
It’s important to go without sexual activity for 1 week after your procedure.
When you do resume sexual activity, you must use an alternative form of contraception. An alternative method like condom or female contraception must continue until a semen analysis has shown no sperm in the ejaculate.
An important fact you should know about this procedure: Sterilisation is not immediate.
Studies suggest:
Most men (up to 80%) have no sperm in their semen by the third month from surgery and after 20 ejaculations.
(A semen analysis usually confirms this).
At your 3-month follow up, if there are live and moving (motile) sperm, you will have a repeat test after 1-2 months.
If motile sperm are still present, after the second test, the procedure has failed.
At this point, the options include: repeat the sterilisation procedure or use alternative contraception.
Finally, a note on reversal. Vasectomy reversal is possible, but success rates are not very high. There is no guarantee that fertility will return.
Female sterilisation is the same as tubal ligation.
It is when you achieve permanent pregnancy prevention by blocking the fallopian tubes.
Female sterilisation is the most common contraceptive method worldwide, used by 19 per cent of all women ages 15 to 49 years.
Worldwide, the female-to-male sterilisation ratio is 3 to 1 (2017).
So many people/couples rely on female sterilisation probably because it does not have the common side effects associated with other contraception methods. Another reason is if a previous method is not effective. In addition to its permanent nature, it also has the advantage of convenience and reliability.
Women can have the sterilisation proceedure in different instances.
Postpartum sterilisation – this usually happens at the time of a C-section. However, you can have the operation within the first 24–48 hours after vaginal delivery.
This method is suitable when you express a desire to have sterilisation before or during your pregnancy.
Sterilisation is also possible after an abortion (post-abortion sterilisation). This is what happens if you have an early pregnancy failure or an unwanted pregnancy.
Interval Sterilisation: Having your operation at least 6 weeks after pregnancy is Interval Sterilisation and is also the option for non-pregnant women.
In this instance, you can have a tubal ligation via laparoscopy or hysteroscopy (where surgical equipment allows doctors to look inside the abdomen and womb, respectively).
For these cases, there are no significant abdominal cuts.
You may also have sterilisation via a laparotomy or hysterectomy (if there are other conditions like abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain). In this case, you will have major cuts or incisions to your abdomen to reach the organs.
The laparoscopic method has a further edge:
Tubal Ligation. There are different ways to achieve tubal ligation (closing or ‘tying’ the tubes).
These female sterilisation options are:
Although female sterilisation can be reversed, it is a challenging process (removing the blocked part of the fallopian tube and rejoining the ends). In addition, there is no guarantee that the patient would become fertile again. Therefore, female sterilisation reversal success rates depend on age factors and the method used in the original operation.
Compared with tubal ligation, vasectomy is safer, less costly, and significantly shorter post-procedure recovery time.
In fact, vasectomy is the most cost-effective method of permanent contraception.
Making a decision on which method to use should involve discussion between both partners and should reflect the individual choice and medical backgrounds, too.
Counselling before any type of sterilisation is recommended to be sure that couples are aware of all options available and any problems that can happen whichever method is chosen.
Would you like to discuss any of these methods further? You can schedule a friendly one to one chat with one of our clinicians here.
More Reading:
References
Editing by AskAwayHealth Team
Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
To discuss your condition, please contact a health practitioner or reach us directly through info@askawayhealth.org
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