Laparoscopic Sterilisation

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a permanent method of female birth control. It blocks or removes both fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy.

Laparoscopic sterilisation is chosen by many women in the UK to prevent pregnancy.

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a highly effective form of birth control, you will no longer need to use another form of contraception, and it offers fast recovery and minimal scarring.

A coil, hormone implants or, for men, a vasectomy are common methods of contraception, which have a similarly low failure rate.

Laparoscopic sterilisation is a minimally invasive procedure performed under a general anaesthetic that usually takes about twenty minutes.

Your gynaecologist will make several small cuts on your abdomen.

They will place surgical instruments along with a telescope with a camera, known as a laparoscope, inside your abdomen and perform the laparoscopic sterilisation procedure.

The most common method of sterilisation is to block each fallopian tube by putting a clip on it. Alternatively, a laparoscopic sterilisation procedure can involve removing your fallopian tubes to prevent any future pregnancies.

General complications

• Pain after laparoscopic sterilisation
• Feeling or being sick
• Bleeding
• Infection of the surgical site (wound)
• Unsightly scarring
• Blood clots

Specific complications

• Making a hole in the womb or cervix
• Surgical emphysema
• Failed procedure
• Infection of the gynaecological organs or bladder
• Ectopic pregnancy

Laparoscopic sterilisation recovery will vary from patient to patient.

You should be able to go home the same day as your laparoscopic sterilisation procedure.

You should rest for the first day or two.

You can expect to go back to work within one week