Female sterilisation is considered to be a permanent form of contraception, but it can be reversed.
Why you might need it
Female sterilisation is considered to be a permanent form of contraception. The operation usually involves cutting, sealing or blocking the fallopian tubes so that eggs cannot be transported into the uterus where they might be fertilised. A female sterilisation reversal operation attempts to reconnect the fallopian tubes.
Female sterilisation can be reversed, but it is a complex process and there is no guarantee that you will be fertile again after the surgery.
Reversal of sterilisation - issues to be considered:
- Quality and quantity of your partner's sperm. If the sperm quality is poor, then IVF may be a better option to proceed with.
- Sterilisation method: The longer the length of the fallopian tube after reconnecting them the higher the chance of pregnancy.
- Condition of the fimbria in the tubes.
- The sooner the reversal takes place after the original operation, the greater the chance of future pregnancy.
- Age of the women at the time of reversal.
Advantages and disadvantages to reversal of sterilisation surgery
- Natural conception will occur if the reversal is successful, as opposed to medically assisted if IVF was used.
- Reduced rate of multi pregnancy with a natural conception.
- Success rates depend on a number of factors, but are between 50-70%, whereas, IVF offers 20-40% per treatment cycle.
- It cannot be guaranteed to be successful.
- The length of time to know the outcome can be up to and beyond a year, the chances of getting pregnant increase with time, whereas with IVF you can find out two weeks after the embryo transfer.
- Family planning may be required for all future pregnancies.
Find a Spire hospital offering this treatment
Who will do it?
Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.
All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.
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.
Before your treatment
You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. 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.
Preparing for your treatment
We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.
For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.
Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.
The procedure
A female sterilisation reversal operation attempts to reconnect the fallopian tubes.
The operation is done under general anaesthetic through a bikini incision. The ends of the tube are trimmed to remove damaged tissue and then reconnected.
Why choose Spire?
We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.
Important to note
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.