Sterilisation

Male Sterilisation

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How does it work?

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Male patients can undergo a short surgical procedure called a vasectomy.

This involves cutting or tying the vas deferens which is the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis.

12 weeks after the procedure the semen is tested to check if it contains sperm.

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Female Sterilisation

 

How does it work?

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Female patients can undergo a surgical procedure called tubal ligation or occlusion.

This involves tying, clipping or cutting and sealing off the Fallopian tubes which are the tubes that carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus.

After the procedure you will still have a period because you will still ovulate.

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How effective is it?

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Sterilisation is approximately 99% effective.

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Advantages

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The main advantage of sterilisation is that you do not have to use contraception again.

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Disadvantages

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The disadvantages of sterilisation include:

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• A surgical procedure is required

• The procedure can be expensive and hard to reverse

• The procedure may not work

• It does not prevent STIs