Permanent Methods of Family Planning 223
Sterilization (the operation for no more children)
There are operations that make it almost impossible for a man
or a woman to have any children. Since these operations are
permanent, they are only good for those women or men who are
certain that they do not want any more children.
To have one of these operations, you must go to a health center or
hospital. The surgery is fast and safe, and does not cause side effects.
The operation for the man (Vasectomy)
A vasectomy is a simple operation in which the
tubes that carry the sperm from the testicles to the
penis are cut. The man’s testicles are not
cut. This operation can be done in any
health center where there is a trained
health worker. It takes only a few
The man’s tubes
are cut:
minutes to do.
The operation does not change
a man’s ability to have sex or to feel
sexual pleasure. He still ejaculates semen
but there are no sperm in the semen.
The tubes may still have sperm in them
for as long as 12 weeks after
the operation, so you need to use
another method of family planning
during that time.
here
and
here
The operation for the woman (Tubal Ligation)
A tubal ligation is a slightly more
difficult operation than a vasectomy,
but it is still very safe. It takes about
30 minutes.
The woman’s tubes
are cut:
here and here
A trained health worker inserts a
tool through the skin near the belly
button to cut or tie the tubes that
carry the eggs to the womb. It does
not change a woman’s monthly
bleeding or her ability to have sex
and sexual pleasure.
Permanent
Methods
of Family
Planning
46
a man’s body
IMPORTANT Sterilization does not protect against STIs,
including HIV. So you will still need to think about ways to protect
yourself from these infections.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012