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Problems With Tubal Ligations

Tubal ligation is a permanent birth control method surgically performed by a doctor while a woman is under anesthesia. As with any major surgery, there are risks to the procedure which include surgical complications, adverse reactions and damage to nearby organs. In addition, some women experience emotional difficulties after the procedure takes place.

  1. Organ Damage

    • When performing a tubal ligation, the obstetrician-gynecologist might accidentally cut or nick nearby internal organs. Resulting damage to the bowel or bladder can lead to the need for additional surgical procedures or complications such as problems with bladder and bowel function or incontinence. Damage to major blood vessels in the pelvic and abdominal area is another risk of tubal ligation, which is increased in women who use blood thinners or aspirin.

    Adverse Reactions

    • Women undergoing a tubal ligation might experience an adverse reaction to the anesthesia used for surgery. Some women experience a sore throat, breathing problems, fatigue and dizziness upon awakening from anesthesia. In addition, women might also experience intense or prolonged pain from the surgical site. Women may also develop pain in the upper abdomen, shoulder or chest due to the carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide gas used to inflate the pelvic cavity during some tubal ligation procedures.

    Surgical Complications

    • Infections of the incision site, uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder or bowel might develop after a tubal ligation. If left untreated, an infection can spread internally and result in the need for re-hospitalization and more surgery. Removal of the affected organ or a skin graft may be necessary in particularly severe cases of infection. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, women could also experience bleeding from the surgical site.

    Pregnancy and STDs

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, about 0.5% to 1% of women who have a tubal ligation experience failure and become pregnant. In these women, there is a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, which is always non-viable for the fetus. In addition, ectopic pregnancy can result in life threatening complications for the mother including the rupture and infection of internal organs. Tubal ligation does not protect women from getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

    Emotional Problems

    • Doctors discourage women from having a tubal ligation unless the woman is certain her family is complete. However, sometimes after going through with the procedure, the woman decides she does want more children. In addition, the woman might feel remorse or regret over her decision, or feel grief over the loss of a potential child. Women who remarry or lose a living child might experience intense grief if they have had a tubal ligation. According to the Mayo Clinic, reversing a tubal ligation is possible, but it requires major abdominal surgery. Also, it is not always effective and usually not covered by insurance.

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