UVM Medical Center Main Campus

Women's Services

 (802) 847-8433

111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Main Pavilion, Level 4
Burlington, VT 05401-1473

Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

A tubal ligation or tubal implant placement ("having your tubes tied") is a permanent method of birth control. Only consider this method when you are sure that you will not want to become pregnant in the future.

Tubal ligation method

There are several different ways of closing the fallopian tubes, including clipping or banding them shut or cutting and stitching or burning them closed. Your surgeon will probably prefer one of these tubal ligation methods.

A tubal ligation can be done using a:

An open tubal ligation (laparotomy) is done through a larger incision in the abdomen. It may be recommended if you need abdominal surgery for other reasons (such as a cesarean section) or have had pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, or previous abdominal or pelvic surgery. These conditions often cause scarring or sticking together (adhesion) of tissue and organs in the abdomen. Scarring or adhesions can make one of the other types of tubal ligation more difficult and risky.

Laparoscopy is usually done with a general anesthetic. Laparotomy or mini-laparotomy can be done using general anesthesia or a regional anesthetic, also known as an epidural.

Reversing a tubal ligation is possible, but it isn't highly successful. This is why tubal ligation is considered a permanent method of birth control.

Tubal implant method

Implants, such as Essure, are inserted in the fallopian tubes without surgery or general anesthesia. The procedure is done in a doctor's office, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital, and it doesn't require an overnight stay. The implant procedure itself takes about 10 minutes.

  • Before the procedure, your cervix is first opened (dilated) to reduce the risk of injury to the cervix. Your doctor will use a speculum and a dilating instrument to gradually open the cervix just before the procedure.
  • For the procedure, you are positioned as you would be for a pelvic exam. Your doctor passes a thin tube (catheter) through your vagina and cervix, into the uterus, and then into a fallopian tube. The catheter is used to place an implant into a fallopian tube. An implant is then placed in the other fallopian tube the same way. You may have some menstrual-like cramps afterwards.

After the procedure, an X-ray is taken to make sure the implants are in place and the tubes are closed.

In some cases, a tubal implant can be difficult to insert. Should this happen, a second procedure is needed to completely block both tubes.

For the first 3 months afterinsertion, you must use another method of birth control. At 3 months, dye is injected into your uterus and an X-ray is taken (hysterosalpingography) to make sure that the implants are in place and the tubes are fully blocked by scar tissue. If they are, you will no longer have to use another method of birth control.

Please note: Some of the doctors and specialists listed below may not treat this specific condition.

Ira M. Bernstein, MD
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Stephen A. Brown, MD
Molecular Genetic Pathology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Clinical Genetics and Genomics
Lucy F. Chapin, NP, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
Martha E. Churchill, NP, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
Wendy I. Conway, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Justin A. DeAngelis, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Anne K. Dougherty, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Mary J. Gehrett, NP, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
Bronwyn M. Kenny, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Lauren K. MacAfee, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Elizabeth A. McGee, MD
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Meredith D. Merritt, NP, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
Krista R. Nickerson, NP, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
      	        
	  	  Rachel R. Preston, RD
Rachel R. Preston, RD
Clinical Nutrition
Shannon Russom, NP
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cormany M. Simon-Nobes, NP, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
Whitney E. Smith, NP
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
Stephanie B. Stahl, PA-C
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Bonitta C. Steuer, NP, CNM
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery
George W. Till, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Elisabeth K. Wegner, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sandra G. Wood, NP, CNM
Psychiatry
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwifery