r/sterilization

27F, I had been dealing with numerous issues for the past couple years in order to finally have this done. I was dealing with absent and prolonged periods, they were either gone completely or lasting 2.5 weeks with bad PMDD; that was the first sign. It resulted in pain during sex, along with it becoming super hard for me to urinate and it felt like there was something "down there" when I tried to pee. Dr after Dr told me it was probably stress, especially having hormone testing, transvaginal ultrasounds and much more done with everything coming back normal. I got sick of it and knew something wasn't right so I switched doctors.

First appointment with my new doctor and she really listened to me, immediately got me a referral to a women's center a town away from me since I live in a small, conservative town. My consultation went well and all my labs came back normal again, but my surgeon knew something wasn't right so she wanted to dig deeper after hearing all of my concerns and symptoms. I got a Laparoscopic Bilateral Salpingectomy, Hysteroscopy, Dilation & Curettage procedure done, as I have no desire to have kids as well, so it was just a win-win for me!

Surgery went fantastic, no complications and I had a very smooth recovery. I got some anxiety coming off the anesthesia but it was mild and I was able to eat a full meal right away, I was so hungry. Felt like really bad period cramps with some bleeding from the curettage the first 2 days but I was prescribed pain meds which helped and I just switched to ibueprofen after 2 days! Hated the mesh panties so I just switched the Always adult diapers, no shame! Very smooth process.

Test results came in and I had multiple cysts on my fallopian tubes with polyps and polyp fragments in my abnormally thick uterine lining, thankfully nothing cancerous! The surgery itself took care of the issues and I'll be getting paps yearly instead of every 3 years now. Got the mildest period after I recovered, was super light and lasted a couple days, such a relief and subsided most of my PMDD. If something doesn't feel right and you're given the option, take it!! I expected the recovery to be much worse but it was a breeze, although everyone is different! I was always so so hungry the first couple days after surgery as my body was healing.

Here's to my biggest nightmare of having kids put to rest and creampies for the rest of my life as I have a very active sex life in my happy marriage! Woo!! 🥳🥳

(34, F) So after waiting 11 months from GP referral I finally have my consultation this week to discuss a bi-salp! I'm excited and nervous. My biggest worry is that they'll push the clips on me rather than complete removal of the fallopian tubes. I am willing to push back and make sure they know why I don't want the clips but I've read that the clips are the standard in the UK. I'm in the Suffolk area.

I also have liver adenomas caused by oestrogen due to the Microgynon 30 pill. I'm hoping that this will help my case with me not wanting and not physically being able to take any form of oestrogen. I understand there are other methods that don't pass through the liver, but I don't want to risk it at all when my tumours are deemed large and have the potential to rupture. Even if I did want children a pregnancy would be considered high risk. I don't want children, never have and can certainly say with my entire chest that I never will want them. I am in a stable and steady relationship with a man who also doesn't want children either.

Can anyone share their consultation experiences in particularly the UK?

I’m having my bisalp on Monday! 🎉 For context, I’m getting it done at Kaiser in Richmond, CA. Is anyone else getting theirs around the same time? 😂

I’m so nervous! I’ve been binge-watching way too many bisalp TikToks, and now I’ve managed to freak myself out even more. 😅 I came across two different TikToks from two different people who said they had a bisalp and still ended up pregnant. Now I’m freaking tf out hahaha.

I know it’s supposed to be one of the most effective forms of permanent birth control, but hearing those stories has my anxiety going crazy. 😭

If you’ve had a bisalp, how was your experience? And if you have any words of reassurance (or recovery tips!), I’d really appreciate them!

I (27F) got my surgery last Thursday.

So far, recovery has been physically really easy! No issues there.

However, I've been feeling, for lack of a better word, very off since my bisalp. High stress and anxiety, even though there is no logical reason for it. A general feeling of oh no.

I'm 100% sure I do not regret my surgery, and I'm lucky to not be under any financial stress after it. I'm pretty bummed out that I haven't been feeling happy like I thought I would.

Any tips? Or what may be causing this?

I know it's not technically a hysterectomy in the true sense, but there's not exactly a thread for laparoscopic salpingectomies!

Had mine on Tuesday and just have a few questions for anyone else who may have been through this.

1 - the glue is starting to peel off some of my incisions, is this normal, how long should it be on? More importantly what do I do with the incision sites once it does come off??

2 - I keep getting these tiny itchy bumps in random spots all over my body, they come and go and itch like crazy, anyone else?

3 - I was intubated, by far worst part of it all. I've tried everything, my throat is still killing me and my uvula is so swollen it makes me feel like I'm choking 24/7. Any advice? I've done ice pops and cough drops and nothing seems to be making a difference, everything just hurts!

Finally gotten to where I can go 12 hours between the lower dose pain meds and survive, so I'm counting that as a win! Thanks in advance for any help! 😊

I successfully had my surgery on June 18, but I posted here before looking for advice/others experiences so I thought I might give an update.

My day of surgery went fairly smoothly aside from arguing with my nurse that I needed Versed NOT Xanax for my anxiety before hand. And rendering several medical personnel speechless by showing them I can easily move my trachea out of place. The anesthesiologist DID take me seriously when I said I'd be a difficult case due to being a natural redhead, a chronic cannabis user, and had a genetic mutation (hEDS) which affects how I metabolize medication.

The recovery was full of minor complications.

In order;
I developed an allergic reaction at every spot the drape was taped to me, (which my GYN has never seen before)
I had sores on my throat from the intubation,
I lost my voice due to the sore throat,
Only being able to take Ketrolac and Tylenol (I stop breathing with opioids) and my stomach not being able to handle the multiple days in a row Ketrolac. I stopped meds on day 3 thankfully my pain was minimal so there's wasn't that big of a need for them, though chronic pain has messed up my pain scale and pain tolerance, I doubt I'd have noticed any pain over my usual flare from the weather changes.
And I'm still fighting my belly button incision that doesn't want to stay closed after the glue came off.(Currently steri-stripped shut)

Having said all that I'd do it again. I feel so free now, my GYN even took a photo of my lack of tubes to ease my paranoia. My comments are open for answering questions about my experience.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I was not on birth control before surgery, and never have been. I'm asexual, actually - I just wanted any chance of pregnancy gone.

Hey all -

I had a bilateral salpingectomy almost a year ago - my surgery was in early August of 2025. A bit of endometriosis was found as well, and that was "zapped", apparently. I wasn't told that that may be done. I also wasn't told that they would have to go in vaginally for the procedure. With severe vulvodynia, I was confused when I experienced a major flare of that after surgery - I found out through reddit why that was.

I'm wondering if anyone here has experienced pelvic pain that wasn't there before surgery?

I get pretty intense ovary pain on both sides now. It's mostly during the "normal" ovulation time and for a few days right after my period ends, but it also happens here and there throughout the month. Bearing down in any way or doing things that use the surrounding muscles is super hard when the pain is there.

I also have experienced almost constant pelvic discomfort and cramping since surgery. I don't realize I'm doing this when it's happening, but I wake up groaning and whimpering in my sleep, and the pain enters into my dreams in weird ways, lol. It's every night, and even sitting here tonight I've realized I've been making weird grunty pain noises.

I do also have digestive issues and obviously pelvic pain could be partially due to that, but I've only had this constant discomfort and hurt since my surgery.

I don't at all wanna neg on bisalps, because heck yeah for sterilization! But I'm just wondering if there are folks out there experiencing similar.

Might be TMI for some -

So quick story I was constipated prior to my procedure for like a day, didnt think it would be a issue, my doctor said id be ok. Well.. i wasnt lol. I had such severe pain from my constipation, it was making me so nauseated. This morning was the worst.. i had just started day 4 and was about to run myself to the ER. I was cramping, thought I was about to puke, couldnt eat and felt like I had to go. I begged for my fiance to stay home and he did, he was quick to grab me prune juice and a suppository.

While he was gone I took a little bit more colace ans drank hot peppermint tea. I paced in circles with my heating pad on my back and then took my morning dose of ibuprofen.

When he got back I tried the suppository but it did nothing. I was super panicked, scared and dreading the idea of barfing but finally he warmed up some prune juice and I drank it mixed with a small amount of miralax and omg..

I thought it wasnt going to work. I cried for the next 4 hours and just as I was about to get in the car to go to the ER it hit and my body just started having bowel movements. So if youre really struggling maybe try that? I give all the credit to the prune juice, I finally have room to eat something after 4 long days 😭

Now I just gotta figure out this gas pain cause its hurting my ribs so bad and gas x isnt really helping, neither are my walks.

I (27F) had my laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy back in April of this year and wanted to share for anyone curious. In short, it was a breeze and women are superior in every aspect lol.

Background: I have PMOS/PCOS, and experience with operations requiring anesthesia (laproscopic appendectomy around 14 years ago, Ureteroscopy in 2024, colonoscopy in January of this year)

My Doc/The Appointment: I've been with my obgyn for about 2 years now. She's an absolute rockstar and in her 50s-60s. When I brought up this procedure to her, it was in a virtual meeting (due to an unexpected city shutdown snow storm) so she wanted me to come in office + make sure I was 100%. It felt like she was "bingo-ing" me with saying, "I don't want you to come back later to me regretting this." But, I asked her if any of her previous patients have and she said no with a smirk.

After I explained my whole situation, and views and if my partner does want kids then they can find someone else etc etc, my doc laughed and said to me, "that is very mature & wise...this is against policy but I don't have any kids either, didn't met the right person." So it was a respectful bingo, not condescending.

My Operation: Monday morning first thing 7am. The nurses got me gowned up + IV and went over paperwork. The anesthesiologist came in and went over the procedure, that took roughly 1 hour for pre op and 45min-1hr for the operation itself. I was so glad the entire staff were all women and it was a incredible sight.

I already had a scar on one side of my abdomen closer to hips and in my naval due to my previous appendix removal procedure so my doc went in those same scars. An additional new incision was made on the other side of my abdomen. I joke that I'm symmetrical now.

After a quick nap, you're a bit groggy. The procedure requires air to be filled in your belly to make room for the surgical tools. I was bloated for about 3-4 days, which is normal. My doc used surgical glue to close up my cuts. The nurses gave me water and graham crackers since I was starving. You're not allowed to eat for 12 hours before.

My partner (M30) was my procedure contact and took me to his house since he lived closer to the hospital.

Aftercare/recovery: I was given a packet on recovery and oxycodone for pain. I mostly slept the entire rest of the day. Later into the evening, I woke up and had some blood come through my shirt. I must have rolled on my side in my sleep. The emergency nurses line for the hospital reassured me that this was normal and to call back if more occurs.

I took maybe 2 max oxycodones the first 24 hours and really didn't need more as I was pain free, just bloated. By the second day, I felt fine to drive and wanted to go home since I wanted to be in my own bed with my kitties. I did prepare to have a full week to recover and WFH if needed, but didn't need it.

The surgery glue naturally falls off or if it comes loose, my doc said it can be gently peeled off. That Friday (4 days later) I had a follow up with my doc to look at my insicion sites and she showed me the pictures of my fallopian tubes.(Side note, I asked to keep them but pathology denied me lol so my doc said she would take pictures for me). I felt great overall and the bloating was going down a bit.

One week after: During the pre-op visit, I was worried that I may miss a buisness trip the week after surgery since procedures are set on doctors' timelines. My doc reasured me that going on planes and traveling is okay just be mindful of not lifting more than 20-30+ pounds. Always wear compression socks on planes when traveling people!

I felt like wonder woman with how I just had a major procedure removing some organs and was back to normal within a week, lifting suitcases, traveling, work, fun etc. No offense to the men on here, we love you, but it made me think that pitiful men would have to be on bedrest for 2 weeks and could never be like us women!

It's super empowering and now my household is all spayed, vaccinated, and women of choice. 💟🐈🐈‍⬛️

I will say, one of my worst ocd compulsion/fears finally is gone and I don't feel any regret or emotion other than happiness 😊

Ask any questions or dm!

I had my tubes removed September 2025 and that was great and all but then you know my horrible period symptoms returned. A trip to the gyno back in April and she recommended the mirena iud and I had that placed on May 4th, so 2 months ago now. So far I absolutely hate this mirena and I’ve told my gyno all of my reasons for hating it. She says it’s all part of the 6 month adjustment period which I totally understand but the 2 months of constant cramping and bleeding/spotting almost every day is getting to the point of ridiculous.

Now I keep telling myself to give it more time but I’ve been contemplating calling and having them remove the darn thing before I go crazy with it. Before I do that and go back to suffering with my horrible period symptoms, does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to alleviate the horrendous period cramps or the extra heavy bleeding that comes with it? I didn’t exactly want to get back on birth control but my gyno made it seem like it was my only option. Definitely open to suggestions.

does anyone with OCD have any sure fire ways to ease the anxiety and believe I'm actually sterilized? I read through the surgery notes, I'm gonna ask to see if they took any photos. everything went so well that it doesn't really feel REAL. any advice welcomed!

I got a bilateral tubal salpingectomy on Monday and had my parents in town until yesterday afternoon to help with recovery. But of course, this morning my belly button site started bleeding. My doctor said I should be fine bc it’s oozing and not brisk bleeding but I’m still feeling a bit scared since I’m on my own.

Seeing as I have no roommates or partner to help look after me, I guess I’m feeling a bit neglected too and whilst I have friends and family nearby to check in on me, it’s not quite the same as having someone truly be there for you to ensure all is going well. I never imagined I’d feel this insecure post-op and stuck ruminating on everything that could go wrong paired with just feeling undervalued overall compared to the treatment my siblings have received postpartum/during pregnancy.

I was suppose to go to a friend’s for a July 4th bbq, but I’m too unwell to attend and again, it’s completely understandable why I’m unable to participate doesn’t ease the fomo or loneliness of being stuck at home whilst all my friends and family are out enjoying festivities.

I’m glad I went ahead and got this out of the way but man has it made me so uneasy and unwilling to ever pursue surgery for anything else if I can help it, going forward.

26F. Today marks one year since my sterilization surgery. Only a handful of people know and some of them aren't very supportive, so I thought I could celebrate with y'all, the girls who get it.

It's hard to put into words how much this procedure has changed me for the better. Shortly after my surgery, one of my friends came to visit me (she knows and is supportive) and told me I was "glowing." I found a lot of irony in that because that's usually what people say to pregnant women, but I'm the exact opposite of that. Regardless, it's so true.

The weight that has lifted off my shoulders is immeasurable. No longer am I living with crippling fear that I'm going to accidentally end up pregnant or fall into the trap of motherhood. I feel more comfortable in my body knowing that it can't betray me with something I don't want. Sex with my boyfriend is so much more fun now that I'm not worried about a condom breaking or my birth control failing. I can actually call myself a mother to my pets without getting anxiety that I'll have to be a mother to a human one day. I'm able to talk about children with my friends who want them without dreading the fact that I'm going to have to follow in their footsteps someday.

I haven't had a single regret since the surgery. I'd do it one hundred times over again if I knew this is where I'd be. I'm just so grateful that I was able to do this and that everything worked out the way it was supposed to. I hope everyone in my position can experience the relief and peace that I've gotten to feel this past year.

Cheers to being childfree, y'all. Thanks for listening!

I had a bilateral salpingectomy (bisalp), but I still find myself worrying about getting pregnant. I know it’s supposed to be one of the most effective forms of permanent birth control, but my anxiety keeps making me wonder about the “what ifs.”

If my husband finishes inside me, am I still safe from pregnancy? Do any of you with a bisalp still let your partner finish inside without using any other protection?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve had a bisalp or from anyone who knows more about how effective it really is. I could use some reassurance.

Thank you all!

I’m asking sincerely, not as a debate post.
For people in the U.S., especially in abortion-ban or heavily restricted states: did the legal environment affect your decision to get sterilized, consider sterilization, or seek a vasectomy/bisalp/tubal?
I’m also interested in hearing from people outside the U.S. if abortion laws, political instability, or fear of future restrictions affected your thinking.
And for anyone who went through pregnancy in a restricted U.S. state while these laws were in effect: what was your experience like? Did it change how safe you felt getting pregnant again?
Please only share what you feel comfortable sharing. You do not have to name your state or country if you do not want to.

Ok, I got my bisalp a few days ago and in "internet research " I've found what I suspected, doctors are not required or even necessarily motivated, to report a failed sterilization anywhere, so the actual fail rate on bisalps is much higher (though still very low) than the "4 cases ever" that gets quoted. My question is: please calm me down. Tell me you've had it, had no issues, it's fine. I'm so scared of getting pregnant, I can't do the monthly anxiety thing. Thank you so much ❤️

As of 9 minutes ago I finally hit the 32 hour mark and im not gonna sugar coat it.. this has been rough for me. I know a lot of people said post op was easy for them but as my luck usually has it, its been 32 hours of tears lol.

(I think i just have a low pain tolerance.)

Ive been non stop nausous despite the patch behind my ear and taking zofran. Laying down hurts so I have to stand to get relief and getting in and out of bed has been a pain in the butt. The gas pain and bloating is just horrible and im really hoping at some point tomorrow this stars to dissipate.

Ive been taking gas x, drinking peppermint tea, swapping between Tylenol and ibuprofen since I refuse to take the narcotics given to me. Ive been constantly using a heating oad on areas that hurt and as of two hours ago have been barely able to eat anything and have been walking around my room to try and pass gas.

I'm so glad I got the procedure done but this recovery process has been gnarly 😭

I had a bilateral salpingectomy on June 22nd and all has been good. Got no bill for the surgery itself etc. But this week I got a bill for the blood test I had done at the consultation/pre surgery appointment? I assumed these were included as part of the "everything covered related to the preventative sterilization" talked about in the ACA. When I called my insurance (blue cross blue shield) they said that the code put in for these tests was diagnostic so that's why I have to pay them. What should I do?

Had a successful bisalp done yesterday! I’ve been starting to feel bad reading all these posts about super quick, easy, almost painless recoveries - because I am in SHAMBLES. I don’t know if it’s a combination of being on my period and getting my IUD replaced as well (had Paraguard taken out and a Mirena placed), or if I just have a low pain tolerance.

I know I’m barely over 24 hours post-op, but I feel like it will definitely take me longer to feel okay than most of the stories I’ve read about others’ recoveries. I’ve been religiously rotating the ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and have admittedly had to throw in some of the prescribed oxycodone (which I’ve read that many ended up not needing).

Anyone relate? I could use some reassurance that I’m not just being weak and sensitive😅

EDIT: For anyone in the Houston area looking for a doctor, Dr. Patricia Machado at Northwest Women’s Center gave ZERO pushback and was incredible from the start. Could not recommend her as an OBGYN enough.