Permanent Methods of Family Planning

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 minutes to do.

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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. He must ejaculate 20 times after the operation before all the sperm are gone. During this time, keep using your regular method of family planning.

The operation for the woman (Tubal Ligation)

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A tubal ligation is a slightly more difficult operation than a vasectomy, but it is still very safe. It takes about 30 minutes.

A trained health worker makes I or 2 small cuts in the woman’s belly, and then cuts or ties the tubes that carry the eggs to the womb. It does not change a woman’s ability to have sex or to have sexual pleasure.

IMPORTANT
Sterilization does not protect against STDs, including HIV/AIDS. So you will still need to think about ways to protect yourself from these diseases.