Infromation about Tubal Ligation? Doctor opinion wanted.. :)?

Question

Im just curious and was looking around at different birth control options available, and I read about tubal ligation. Most of the sites I visited mentioned married women, older women, or women who have children already.

What Im curious about is, does a woman have to be older, have children, or be married before a doctor will perform a sterilization? For instance, I'm 21 years old, in a relationship but not married, and I have no children. As far as I'm concerned, I dont want any (I dislike kids, babies even more) .. Ive never looked into the future and saw myself with children. Are there doctors that do this, or do they all have 'moral values' against it?

I find it hard to believe its impossible, but isnt it a little unfair that a man can go in, and say he has 1 of each child (boy and girl) and get snipped, but doctors might think a woman is being silly and might change her mind if proven otherwise?

Answer 1

From a modern ethical standpoint, a doctor's obligation is not only to "do no harm," but to consider and respect the views of the patient, without letting the physician's personal beliefs prejudice the patient's care.  That being said, it's a very "grey" area to assume that it is within a doctor's competence to determine the "practicality" of a life-changing decision.  The debate can be raised that contraceptives...or more applicably, specific elective surgeries (such as plastic surgery), fall within the realm of "enhancing" a patient's life rather than preserving it.  Although at the time of consultation, the patient may firmly view surgical sterilization as a life-enhancing decision, other options (such as IUD), must be presented to the patient as well as the risk of regret later in life, (along with consideration as to the patient's mental and emotional health at the time of consultation).  Unfortunately, patients often find these discussions condescending -- and understandably so, after spending much time and thought justifying the desire for sterilization.   At 21 (and very much an adult), perspective is quite different than at 31 or 41. There is a reason why the phrase "hindsight is 20/20" exists.  Laser tattoo removal clinics are perfect, albeit less "life-impacting" examples of regret. A doctor should present statistics of sterilized patients who have regretted their decision, along with the stats on success of microsurgical tubal reanastomosis (reversal) -- which is around 50%.  If a patient has reviewed these stats, realizes that situations, finances, lifestyles and relationships change (which also play a large part in regret and remorse), have sought psychological counseling regarding the decision and are well-informed as to both the risks and permanence of the procedure, today's doctor needs to heavily consider the patient's wishes.  It is a very touchy subject (abortion is still a hotbed decades after Roe v Wade) and an excellent, thought-provoking question.  I look forward to also reviewing others' answers.

Answer 2

i had a tubal done and the prerequisites were that i was over 24 and had three kids they really don't consider giving a perfectly healthy woman that's 21 and has no children a tubal try the IUD its a type of birth control that prevents pregnancy from like five to ten years i do believe look into it it may be what your looking for.

Answer 3

A doctor usually won't tie your tubes at such a young age unless you already have kids. I've known since I was 16 that I don't want to have kids and even now at 28 I still don't want kids my doctor still won't tie my tubes although now I may have to have a hestorectamy (I know I spelled that wrong, sorry) because of the problems I am having with my overies and because of my huge cyst. My friend told me that usually the reason they won't tie them is because a lot of people who do get there tubes tied usually regret it. I guess you just have to find a birth control that is right for now if you are that strong about not wanting kids. Just be careful with the side effects. Good luck!

*I  find it hard to believe its impossible, but isnt it a little unfair that a man can go in, and say he has 1 of each child (boy and girl) and get snipped, but doctors might think a woman is being silly and might change her mind if proven otherwise?*

I totally agree with you there. It seems like it's so easy for a guy fixed, yet d**n near impossible for a girl to get fixed.

Answer 4

You are entitled to your opinion and also have the right to not have children if you so choose.  

I'm sure you have noticed that there is no shortage of people so you should be able to find a doctor to do a tubal.

The decision to do this is far better than having an unwanted child at any time in your life.

Good luck.