Many women who have had their tubes tied (tubal ligation) say they are suffering side effects that range from irregular periods and incontinence to bleeding gums and depression. Some even say that that the surgery leaves them post-menopausal.

Advertisement

Yet medical experts say that ‘post-tubal ligation syndrome’ does not exist – the same thing that was said of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia twenty years ago. Now both are considered true disorders that can be diagnosed.

Why do women have tubal ligations?
This procedure blocks the fallopian tubes so eggs can’t pass throught them into the uterus. It is often used as a method of contraception for married women who do not want to have any more children. 10 million women in the USA have had this procedure, according to a report this year by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Serious complications are considered rare. The death rate is also extremely low – three out of every 100,000 tubal ligations.

What are the symptoms of post-tubal ligation?
Frequent, irregular and sometimes prolonged menstruation as well as hormonal imbalances and increased PMS, says Susan Bucher, a sufferer, who has founded an online organisation called the Coalition for Post Tubal Women. They are campaigning for women’s rights to be fully informed of what they perceive as the dangers of this procedure.

Post a question to our sexologist.

Female sterilisation
 

Print this article

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Operations Manager R20,000-25,000 Per Month Cost To Company Incl Benefits Gauteng - East Rand Financial Accountant: CA(SA) R400,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Key Account Manager Gauteng Java Developer-CT Western Cape - Cape Town Java Developer-Jozi Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Plus Benefits Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Market Related Plus Benefits South Africa Case Manager R210,000-220,000 Per Annum Negotiable Gauteng - Pretoria Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job