Tubectomy is still surrounded by myths

Tubectomy has more complications than vasectomy and takes longer time� but it is the safest contraception option when compared to pills and other procedures Nagasundari Lalitha, a 40-year-old housewife wanted to undergo tubectomy but her friends and relatives told her that she would become obese if she underwent this surgery. They also said that it will affect her marital life . With so many doubts on her mind she decided to take some more time to undergo for it. Although tubectomy has been around for over a few decades, many women are still reluctant to undergo the procedure. However, doctors maintain that tubectomy is the safest contraception option available for women who are sure that they are not keen to have any more children. "Tubectomy surgery is a permanent sterilisation method in which the fallopian tubes are blocked so that the ovaries or eggs are prevented from traveling to the uterus from the ovary. It prevents future pregnancies. The surgery is done by general surgeon or laparoscopic surgeons," says Dr A Manjula, gynecologist and fertility specialist, Beem hospital, Hyderabad. Majority of women these days opt for this surgery instead of men opting for vasectormy as there are myths that men who undergo vasectomy surgery (surgical procedure for male sterilization) would lose their stamina and libido. Bala, a mother says "He being head of the family should receive utmost importance by family members. Hence his life is more important to us." However, many men in cities are taking a step ahead and going for this surgery as the procedure takes only 15 minutes. To encourage vasectomies, the government also has been giving high incentive to men in comparison with women for undergoing tubectomy. The surgery for women takes more time and have necessitates a few days bed rest. The rural populace, ignorant of the advantages and zero side-effects of vasectomy, develop a stigma against men who undergo this surgery. Men who opt for it are looked down upon in the rural areas. There is a need to create awareness among such people as it can save women from undergoing complications after tubectomy. In some rare cases, women would want to get pregnant again after undergoing tubectomy. When asked if this is possible, Dr Neelima, consultant gynecologist at KIMS' hospital says, "There are two options for fertility after tubal ligation. One is tubal reversal surgery and second is In- Vitro-Fertilization (IVF). Tubal reversal surgery usually requires a laparotomy. This needs an incision on the abdomen approximately 4 to 6 inches in length. Some surgeons now perform tubal reversal surgeries through the laparoscope. But even with all this, the success rate of these surgeries is 42-60 per cent." "As there are more complications and risks in tubectomy as compared to vasectomy, men should be encouraged to go for vasectomy surgery. And the percentage of vasectomy surgeries in our country is also small. People who undergo this surgery do not become obese. They also will not face any sexual problems or changes in menstrual patterns. All are unscientific and not truthful at all," Dr Neelima added. Tubectomy surgery fails only when the tube is not cut properly. Other contraceptive method of using pills leads to more side-effects. They can also create blood clots which are dangerous to life. Though tubectomy is not hundred per cent preventive methods for pregnancy, doctors say it is safer than other contraceptive methods.