Patients seeking a permanent form of contraception have several options to consider. The decision should be carefully made, because these techniques were designed to be non-reversible. Each method has pros and cons and all the details should be discussed with the physician providing the care. The main options are vasectomy (male sterilization), hysteroscopic and laparoscopic tubal sterilization, and other surgeries. When a woman wants permanent birth control and has other gynecologic problems such as cancer risk, bleeding, pain, endometriosis or fibroids, she can consider hysterectomy. But if there are no other bothersome gynecologic problems, she can choose tubal sterilization. One method this can be done is with hysteroscopy (a scope used to look inside the uterus, often in-office) using Essure coils pushed into the fallopian tubes. Another method is with laparoscopy (a scope used through the belly button, usually out-patient surgery) using other methods to cut or “tie” or remove the fallopian tubes. Although many women prefer an office surgery such as Essure, there seem to be more failures and complications than with traditional laparoscopic tubal sterilization. With proper informed consent and no risk factors such as nickel allergy, we will provide this technique, but generally prefer laparoscopy. Laparoscopy provides several definite advantages such as the opportunity to check for and treat other gyn problems, such as abnormal bleeding, endometriosis, fibroids or extra cancer risks.
At Swor Women’s Care we offer a full range of OBGYN services including permanent sterilization, reversal of past sterilization, laparoscopic removal of Essure coils and other gyn surgery care.