Sterilization

• Sterilization should only be undertaken after careful thought   and should be considered irreversible.

• The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic as a   day-case procedure.

• A small, fibre-optic 'telescope' called a laparoscope is   inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. Carbon   dioxide gas is then pumped into the abdomen to separate
  the   tissues so that the organs can be seen more clearly.   Plastic   clips, which remain in place permanently, are then   placed on   the Fallopian tubes.

• If the tubes are difficult to see through the laparoscope,
  it may   be necessary to make a slightly larger incision in
  the abdomen, which will be 2-3 inches in length, in order
  to complete the procedure successfully.

• Women who have been using the oral contraceptive can
  stop doing so when they reach the end of the packet.   However, menstrual periods will return to the same pattern   and type of bleeding as before the pill was used.

• Period type cramps can occur after the operation, but it   should be possible to return to normal activities within
  48 hours.

• There is a small failure rate (about 1 in 500), but
  sterilization is considered to be the most reliable form
  of contraception.