Safer Sex and Contraception

Safer Sex and Contraception -
Sterilisation

If you are sure that you never want children and have considered the consequences of never having children, of separating from your partner and perhaps wanting children with another partner or wanting another child because one has died - then you should talk to your doctor about sterilisation.

Sterilisation for Women

The laparoscopic sterilisation is the most common form of female sterilisation. With the woman under general anaesthetic, the surgeon passes a laparoscope (a long tube with a camera) through the skin near the belly button so that the fallopian tubes and uterus can be seen. The surgeon then places clips over the fallopian tubes which prevents the egg travelling to the uterus where it would normally come into contact with sperm.

Side Effects:

A brief period of recovery following the anaesthetic
Following the operation some women experience pain in their shoulder, diaphragm and in their abdomen.

Does Sterilisation Change My Body?

No. You will still ovulate and have your period and there will be no change in your menstrual flow. The production of your female hormones will not be altered and your libido will not be affected (in fact it may increase because you no longer have the fear of an unwanted pregnancy). The procedure does not hasten menopause.

Does It Work?

There is a small failure rate of 0.2%.

Can Sterilisation Be Reversed?

It MAY be possible to rejoin the fallopian tubes however it is a complicated, expensive operation which is not covered by Medicare and the success rate is 50%.

How Do I Organise To Be Sterilised?

You will need a referral to a public hospital or a private gynaecologist. Contact your GP.

Vasectomy

What Is a Vasectomy?

It is a minor operation performed by a doctor under local anaesthetic. Through a small incision in each side of the scrotum the doctor cuts and ties the narrow tubes (Vas Deferens) which link the testicles to the penis.

With these tubes blocked the sperm can no longer travel to the penis and are not ejaculated.

Side Effects Include

Slight discomfort for a few days after the procedure
Bruising and infection around the incision may occur
The patient must not lift heavy objects for a few days following the procedure
A small percentage of men will experience persistent groin pain.

Does It Work?

The failure rate is low at 0.2%. However a man is not sterile until all the sperm present in the man's semen from before the operation is expelled. This can take up to about 6 months, or 15 ejaculations and couples should use other forms of contraception until a sperm test (done by your doctor) has shown there is no longer any sperm left in the ejaculate.

What Happens to the Sperm?

The tiny cells that produce the sperm are still present in the testicles but these are reabsorbed into the body. These do not grow into mature sperm because they no longer have access to the tubes connecting to the penis (along which the maturation process takes place).

Does the Procedure Change a Man's Body?

No. You will still produce the usual supply of hormones and his testicles and penis will not be affected. You will also continue to produce the normal amount of ejaculate fluid (without sperm) and sexual enjoyment will not be impaired (in fact it may be heightened because there is no longer the risk of an unwanted pregnancy).

Can the Procedure Be Reversed?

Yes, sort of. While it is technically possible to rejoin the tubes, only about 60% of cases that are reversed result in pregnancy and the longer the vasectomy has been performed, the less likely the sperm will function normally once the operation has been reversed.

How Do I Organise a Vasectomy?

Talk to your GP about organising a referral to a public hospital or private surgeon.

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Sterilisation

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