Tubal Ligation: The Dominant Female Sterilization Process

Female Sterilization Still Exists as the Only Preferred Method of Contraception in India

With rapidly increasing population rates we can expect India to surpass China in terms of population anytime soon. As a nation we have always relied on female sterilization as the main way of contraception and more than four billion tubal ligations-the most famous form of contraception-are performed every year without fail. India holds top position in sterilization rates (39%) which are almost double the rates existing in other parts of the world. We are proud recipients of maximum sterilization performed in the world-thanks to our family planning department which was formed exclusively to cater to the ever-growing population rates making India the world’s first country to implement this.

‘Camp’ Approach to Family Planning

Family planning in government hospitals in India cater to more than hundreds of people within an hour or so where the doctor severs the fallopian tubes of the women using a single instrument even without changing his gloves for every surgery. These women are treated like herds of cattle who are made to feed on fodder. They are made to lie on the hospital floor after surgery to recover. While these surgeries and their outcomes go relatively unnoticed one such surgery performed backfired and brought the entire procedure into limelight. It happened in November 2014. More than 80 women underwent tubal ligation of which 13 of them died due to surgical infection.

Female sterilization is the most sought-after method of contraception worldwide and the male gender rarely face this problem. Many unpleasant incidents relating to female contraception has forced the Indian government to introduce other new methods of contraception which includes dispensing progestin-only contraceptive pills too.

Many women in different states are paid to get a family planning done. After the tragic incident in November, the ‘camp’ solution to sterilization has become unpopular.

Tubal Ligation

Despite sterilized use of surgical things and hygienic conditions tubal ligation remains riskier and invasive than vasectomy. Many people in India are not aware of other means of contraception such as intrauterine device (IUD), patch or pill owing to lack of availability and trained professionals who can do the procedure.

Tubal ligation is a type of permanent birth control method in which the fallopian tubes are severed or blocked permanently preventing any further pregnancy chances. Eggs of the female don’t get a chance to enter the uterus for fertilization and sperms don’t get to reach the eggs through the fallopian tubes. Once the procedure is incorporated reversing it is extremely difficult, often ineffective and mostly unsuccessful. The menstrual cycles remain unaffected and even the risk of ovarian cancer gets diminished after the procedure. Read more about the risk of ovarian cancer and learn about its genetic traits by visiting the website www.firsteatright.com.

Getting a tubal ligation is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, doesn’t impact you sexually and won’t affect your hormone levels. Rarely, the fallopian tubes might rejoin and cause pregnancy in case of which the tubes might be completely removed.

In this scientifically-advanced world what is the need to cling onto traditional means of sterilization and contraceptives when there are various advanced methods available? Most people go with the latest government plans and blindly believe government policies that advocate many different things with hidden implications. Only when governments start planning properly and suggesting better and healthy means of contraceptive options, will we improve as a society together.