Want to get my tubes tied.... help?

Question

Hi, I am 29 and absolutely positive that I do not even have the slighest desire to have a child but being on the pill the past 12 years can't be all that healthy. I've decided that I want to get my tubes tied, I was reading that there's laws regarding age and that some doctors can't perform it on anyone under 30 - anyone know if this is true? I would have the procedure done in NY state. Also, share your experience if you have had one. Also, no comments about I might change my mind, don't do it because I assure you I have NO DESIRE to have children or raise a family.

Answer 1

There is no law against it. I completely understand where you are coming from. I don't know why people can't understand that someone doesn't want kids or more kids. You should be able to find a doctor to perform it for you. You may have to go to a few different ones to get one to do it. If you are married or have a significant other maybe he should look into getting a vasectomy instead. It is less invasion, an easier procedure, and more effective. My husband had one at age 23 and we have no children and no urge to ever have any for many reasons health and otherwise. Good luck.

Answer 2

There are no "laws" regarding a minimum age required for sterilization procedures. Each doctor and hospital provide guidelines which they follow, but that varies from place to place. As a general rule, doctors won't sterilize anyone under 18 except in extreme circumstances, and they do prefer you be around 30 if you do not have any children at all. But if you speak to the doctor about the procedure, and you are able to convince them this is something you have truly thought through hard and long, I don't think they would have a problem with doing it. If you are married, they might want to speak to your partner as well, but I doubt they would reject you out of hand just for being 29 and not the magic 30. As an aside, though, you might want to consider that many times tubal ligations can cause other gynecological complications like alterations in the periods. I've known a lot of women who had tubals that ended up having hysterectomies within a few years because of they developed problems with very heavy or frequent periods that didn't respond to hormones. If you are married and can convince your partner to have a vasectomy instead, that might be a better option in the long run. Vasectomys are easier to do, and have fewer complications post op than tubals do. Not to mention, they are cheaper. It's just a thought to consider. Otherwise, the pill is a pretty safe option for a healthy non-smoking female up until menopause. There are plenty of options on the market, even those that supress the cycles except for 3 or 4 times a year. I personally haven't had a tubal, but my mother and sister have had, and both had to have hysterectomies within 3 years because of the problems afterwards. I've had equal numbers of friends who opted for the tubals, and the numbers there are split between those with no troubles and those having them. I also know several couples who opted for the vasectomies, and nobody has had kids or problems since.

Answer 3

I understand you completely, I am in the same situation, nobody believes I actually don't want to have children but there is something you need to understand and it is that having that surgery will have health repercusions, doctors will tell you nothing will change but I have met several women with lots of health problems because of their surgeries. Taking the pill is actually not unhealthy for you, it does have side effects but so does having your normal period or having a surgery like this one. The pill has the most risks if you are a smoker.

I don't think it is a good idea to have your tubes tied right now. You are just way too young to make that kind of commitment, see it this way: life changes every step of the way and this is life changing surgery we are talking about. If in 10 years from now you decide to have a kid you might find out it is not possible anymore because your tubes cannot be restored.

I really , REALLY think you should try to talk to your doctor about this and maybe get alternative options. Good luck.

Answer 4

You might want to look into the procedure called Essure. It's less invasive than having your tubes tied and as such there's no need for general anaesthetic nor incision through the abdomen is required.

The basics are this: Micro-inserts are placed into the fallopian tubes by a cathether passed from the vagina through the cervix and uterus. Once in place, the device is designed to elicit tissue growth (scarring) in and around the micro-insert to form over a period of 3 months an occlusion or blockage in the fallopian tubes; the tissue barrier formed prevents sperm from reaching an egg.

You will need to use another form of birth control for about three months after the procedure to assure that blockage has taken place. Your physician will take a special x-ray after about three months to check this. 96.5% of patients achieve blockage by the three month period and the remainder achieved it by the end of six months.

The Essure procedure is 99.80% effective based on a 4 year follow up study.

For an overview of Essure and a list of risks, see the article linked below.

Answer 5

First of all let me tell you that Bilateral Tubal Ligation is done by cutting two fallopian tubes and tying it's ends or better still closing each ends by cauterization (Surgically burning) through a surgical cut or incision on your lower abdomen. It's just a minor surgery, and you are allowed to go home after some hours. BLT is done to permanently block the ripe eggs to pass through your fallopian tube to upper portion of your uterus where it is met by sperm and implant itself a little lower to grow. Another method called Essure has the same principle, blocking your fallopian tube by way of scarring is lesser invasive than BTL. I just want you to know that if you undergone either of the procedure, there is no turning back because they are both irriversible.

You have to remember that every surgical procedure have side effects. I am a nurse, practicing as OB-GYN nurse, and OR nurse and have seen many side effects of surgery. Although, there are times that surgery is vital to save life, it should be the last resort. It should only be done when all medical remedy was done, and still the patient is ill.

My friend undergone the same procedure when she was 28 years old, her doctor who is my personal friend too adviced her against it, but still decided against his advice. After a few years, She felt a dull pain at her right lower abdomen. It's not too painfull, but it was irritating so she consulted a doctor when we were working as nurse in Saudi. The Egyptian doctors would like to open her up because they said she had Appendicitis. Knowing the symptoms of acute appendicitis, she didn't sign the operating consent and was released from the hospital, She went home and seek another doctor's opinion and I was right. They misdiagnosed her. It was not appendicitis, my suspicion was correct, it may have something to do with an OB-GYN problems, she told me so. She undergone different radiologic procedure and her doctors found out that she had ovarian cysts. She undergone operation called oosalphingostomy. They removed her right ovary and until now, she believes it has something to do with her previous BLT. According to her, even if she is turned on now and feel she is ready, she still feel dry there.

Another thing is you are still young, your decision right now will not be your decision years from now. She was very decisive then that she wanted her fallopian tube cut no matter what we advice,but she said now she wants another baby.

Wether you really wanted yourself out of having any baby at all in the future, you may use the less invasive procedures like the injection method or pills. I don't say they dont have any side effects but they have lesser risk compared to surgical procedures.

I hope this will help you sort things out. Enjoy your life while you are young, when you are old and graying you will have something to cherish.

Good luck and God bless.

Pencilfooting

PS: If you want to talk things in private and wanted to clear up others things, you can IM me, my Yahoo name is pencilfooting. I am always ready to help.

Answer 6

You only have to be over 18 to tie your tubes in CA, however-I am an Ob/Gyn and would not touch you with a 10 foot pole. Good luck finding one willing to do it. It is not the age as much as the fact that you are young and have NO children. I wont give my comments in this regard as you have directed me not to. If you came into my office I would suggest an IUD.

Answer 7

I haven't heard of any laws like that, maybe in other states? My friend had it done when she had her last child, she would have been 28 or 29. But i don't know about other states, this was in MN. The fact that you don't have any children might slow this process though.

Answer 8

i'm 27 and feel the same way
my doctors wouldn't do the procedure, either.
have you considered an IUD? that's what they told me to try. no pills, depending on the type, no hormones, either. but better than the pill and even the shot. and you can keep them in from anywhere from 5-10 years.

good luck to you.

Answer 9

I respect your decision and can see no problems with your age. I do agree it is better than long term pills. Good Luck!

Answer 10

I am 24 and have my tubes tied so that a lie.