Are you tired of keeping up with your birth control regime? Are you finished having children or do you not want any children at all? Instead of fussing over the pill, condoms or birth control options that only last a few years, it may be time to consider longer-term, more permanent birth control options. If you are interested in learning more about permanent options, then read on for more information about the sterilization options available at Zeid Women’s Health Center.
What is In-Office Sterilization?
Sterilization is a term that refers to permanent birth control that will prevent pregnancy for the rest of a woman’s life. There are various medical procedures to achieve this result, but they all work in a similar way by blocking the fallopian tubes so that the sperm and eggs cannot meet for fertilization. Sterilization methods are permanent, meaning that a woman should be 100% sure she does not want children in the future because it cannot be reversed.
What types of sterilization exist?
There are two main types of sterilization: surgical and non-surgical. Surgical procedures typically include hysterectomy or “getting your tubes tied,” which provides immediate pregnancy prevention and lasts forever. Since it requires surgery, a hysterectomy can be costly in terms of recovery time and money and there is always the risk of complications such as infection or side effects from the anesthesia.
In contrast, there are also non-surgical options available that do not require cuts or incisions but rather an insertion of coils or mesh to block the fallopian tubes. With this method, however, a back-up type of birth control needs to be used for the first three months after the procedure. Once a follow-up exam is performed with your doctor, they can confirm that everything has progressed correctly and the tubes are completely blocked, meaning that the permanent birth control is now active.
Is there a difference between Novasure and Essure?
Novasure and Essure are the leading brands of non-surgical sterilization methods that are available today. The Essure procedure takes about 13 minutes to perform whereas Novasure takes just five. Neither contains hormones that will cause adverse side effects such as weight gain or other hormonal side effects, but 90% of women say that after the procedure, their menstrual bleeding and cramping has been dramatically decreased or stopped altogether.
There are many benefits to non-surgical sterilization options including a reduction in menstruation symptoms, no hormonal side effects, a quick outpatient procedure and low cost (it’s usually only the cost of a copay)! To assist with the choice, the physicians at Zeid’s Women’s Health Center are more than happy to sit down and find the best birth control option for you.
Are there any downsides to sterilization?
With sterilization, it is important to remember that it prevents pregnancy, but does not offer any type of protection against sexually transmitted infections. For this type of protection, another form of birth control, such as a condom, should still be used. Additionally, sterilization is permanent so you should be 100% sure that you do not want children in the future. The procedure cannot be reversed, so if you are not positive about not wanting a baby at some point down the road, another form of birth control, such as an IUD, may be more suitable for you at this time.
After learning the basics of in office sterilization, do you think the procedure may be right for you? If you answered yes, then contact Zeid Women’s Health Center today to make an appointment with a physician in one of our East Texas offices in Henderson, Tyler or Longview. We look forward to hearing from you!