Permanent Contraception
Sterilisation
Sterilisation is a permanent method of contraception, for people who don’t want more children, or any children and is more than 99% effective. It works by stopping sperm from meeting an egg.
Male sterilisation
Male sterilisation (vasectomy) is done by cutting and sealing or tying the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis).
Female sterilisation
Female sterilisation (tubal occlusion) is done by cutting, sealing or blocking the fallopian tubes which carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus (womb).
Effectiveness: Vasectomy (male sterilisation) and tubal occlusion (female sterilisation) are both over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Fit and forget: After a vasectomy, you will need to use condoms for at least 8-12 weeks and have two test to make sure your sperm are gone. After a tubal occlusion, you need to use contraception until your next period or for three months after the operation.
After this, you don’t have to think about or use contraception again. But sterilisation is rarely reversible, so don’t choose this option unless you’re absolutely certain you don’t want any children in the future.
STI protection: No. Use external condoms or internal condoms to help protect yourself from STIs.