Our COVID-19 measures remain in place. Feel safe at Sussex Premier Health hospitals. Read our Covid-19 Policy here
Our COVID-19 measures remain in place. Feel safe at Sussex Premier Health hospitals. Read our Covid-19 Policy here
Contraception if you’ve decided not to have children in the future.
Female sterilisation is an operation to cut, tie or block the fallopian tubes (the tubes between the ovary and the uterus) with rings or clips.
It is a permanent method of contraception, which means you will not be able to have any more children.
Same day discharge
General
Yes
30 minutes
Yes
If you decide you don’t want to have children in the future, you may wish to consider female sterilisation.
In the majority of cases, it is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, according to clinical sources.
At Sussex Premier Health, you will have a formal consultation with a Consultant Gynaecologist. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.
We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.
On the day of your operation, our ward staff will show you to your own private room. Your private room will have an en-suite bathroom and TV and Wi-Fi facilities.
Female sterilisation is usually performed under general anaesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep during the procedure and feel no pain.
The operation usually takes about 30 minutes.
The procedure is often performed through keyhole surgery, using a narrow, tube-like telescope called a laparoscope. Your surgeon will make a small cut in your abdomen and pass the laparoscope through it to view your uterus and fallopian tubes. Instruments are passed through further small cuts to cut, tie or block the tubes.
Sometimes a larger cut is required to perform female sterilisation, particularly if you have had previous surgery.
Female sterilisation is usually performed as a day case, so you won’t need to stay overnight in hospital.
After the procedure, you will be taken from the operating theatre to a recovery room, where you will come round from the anaesthesia under close supervision.
After this, you will be taken to your room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.
Your Consultant Gynaecologist who you saw at your initial consultation.
Our consultants have high standards to meet often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries.
Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.
Your Consultant Gynaecologist will be able to answer any questions you may have and tell you how to prepare for treatment.
Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit and you’ll have an appointment with our pre-assessment nurse.
You may have some pain, similar to period pains, after the operation. Over the counter painkillers can help with this.
You may experience some bleeding after the procedure and should use a sanitary towel, not a tampon.
After female sterilisation, you should continue to use contraception until your next period.
On rare occasions, complications following female sterilisation can occur.
If you experience excessive bleeding soon after the operation or an infection, call us straight away.
Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
Although female sterilisation is generally effective, it is still possible that you may become pregnant for up to several years following the procedure. About one in 200 women become pregnant after female sterilisation.
Our team are on hand should you have any concerns following your procedure.
Your consultant will see you for a follow up consultation following your procedure, this will be booked at a time convenient for you.
Speak to a member of our team
01424 757400 
info@sussexpremierhealth.com 
01424 757400