Female sterilisation – how does it work, how much does it cost, can you get it done on the NHS and is it reversible?

IN most cases, female sterilisation is more than 99 per cent effective in preventing a woman getting pregnant.

But how does it work, is it expensive and can you reverse the process if you change your mind?

What is female sterilisation?

Female sterilisation is a form of contraception that can prevent the woman’s egg from reaching sperm and becoming fertilised.

The surgery involved blocking, sealing or cutting the Fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the womb.

Eggs are still released from the ovaries as normal, but can be absorbed naturally into the woman’s body.

How does female sterilisation work?

There are two types of female sterilisation, when your Fallopian tubes are blocked with clips or rings (tubal occlusion), or when implants are used to block them (hysteroscopic sterilisation, or HS).

During the surgery for a tubal occlusion, the surgeon cuts through the abdomen wall and inserts a laparoscopy, which contains a light and a camera.

Clips or rings are then applied to the Fallopian tubes, or the tubes are tied and cut.

With hysteroscopic sterilisation, no cuts are required to the abdomen, so general anaesthetic is not needed.

A tiny piece of titanium metal is inserted into each Fallopian tube, which causes scar tissue to form and block the tube.

If blocking the Fallopian tubes has proved to be unsuccessful, the tubes may be completely removed in a process called salpingectomy.

Can you get female sterilisation done on the NHS?

Before you go through with female sterilisation, you should consult your GP to talk through the procedure.

It is not a legal requirement for a woman to get their partner’s permission for female sterilisation.

Your GP will strongly recommend counselling before a referral, and they have the right to refuse to carry out the procedure if they do not think it is in a woman's best interests.

If this is the case, you will then have to pay for it privately.

How much does female sterilisation cost?

If you choose to get female sterilisation done privately, this can cost between £2,000 and £3,000 depending on the hospital.

Is female sterilisation reversible?

Once you are sterilised, it is very difficult to reverse the process.

If the Fallopian tubes have been cut, they can be reconnected, but this doesn’t necessarily ensure that fertility will be restored.

The reversal surgery is not normally available on the NHS, so would need to be paid for privately, which can cost between £4,500-£5,500.

The success rate of tubal reversal surgery depends on the remaining length of the Fallopian tube and the method used in the original surgery.

If the reversal process is not possible, fertility treatments like IVF may be an option.

Who can have female sterilisation?

Nearly any female can get sterilised and surgeons will typically be willing to perform the surgery on women over the age of 30.

The procedure is usually for women who have already had kids, but some women who have never given birth also opt to get it done.

Doctors will ensure that women are aware of the consequences and the fact reversal surgery does not always restore fertility.