Tips For Talking To Your Doctor About Female Sterilization Surgery

Despite female sterilization being a permanent and effective method of birth control, it can be hard to get approved for the procedure, due to some medical professionals delaying or refusing to perform the procedure on young, unmarried, or childfree women. Here are our tips to get approved for sterilization: 

Bring An Advocate

It could be a family member who has known of your desire to get sterilized for a long time, a partner, or a close friend. If someone cannot join you in person, bring a letter to show your medical provider that lets them know that this is not a decision you made last night, but rather something you have been thinking about for quite a while and have been discussing with the people closest to you.

Prove That You Have Done Your Research

Prove that you have done your research on various sterilization procedures such as tubal ligations, bilateral salpingectomies, and hysterectomies. Your doctor will likely want you to exhaust every birth control option before choosing a permanent option. To succinctly explain to your doctor why you do not wish to try any other methods of birth control, ensure you educate yourself on the many side effects of hormonal birth control, copper IUDs, and implants. You should not have to endure the myriad of negative side effects just to appease your doctor. R/childfree has created a great resource page to help you succeed in getting the medical procedure you are entitled to: https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/wiki/sterilisation/ Bring your own sterilization binder to your appointments, not only will it help you remember all of your talking points, but it will also show your doctor how knowledgeable, prepared, and determined you are.

Tubal ligations (commonly known as “having your tubes tied”) have a quick recovery period- many women only take off one week of work or less, and describe the most difficult part of the recovery process to be gas pains from the laparoscopic procedure. These pains dissipate naturally in 3-4 days and are relieved with the help of a heating pad and over-the-counter medications. It’s important to note that after surgery you will not be able to lift anything over 15lbs for a few days, sleeping on your side will be uncomfortable and painful, and you will have minor scarring.

Look Into All Of Your Options

Determine what you think is the best method of surgery for you and then ask one or more doctors what they think. Whatever your decision for sterilization options, you deserve to be listened to and validated. No doctor should deny your right to relief from unwanted pregnancies. 

Doctors May Push Back

It’s not uncommon for doctors to  push back against people’s desire to get sterilized, so be prepared for this unless you’ve been able to find a childfree-friendly doctor. There is no justifiable reason for your doctor not to provide a safe and effective medical service to you, especially if this procedure will create great mental and emotional relief in your life. 

For a list of childfree-friendly doctors check out https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/wiki/doctors/

Costs For Sterilization 

In America most major insurance companies cover a large percentage of sterilization procedures and sometimes even cover the entire cost. You can call the benefits phone number on the back of your insurance card and speak with a representative to confirm your coverage. Ask if the following ICD-10 codes are covered: Z98.51 Tubal Ligation and Z90.711 Hysterectomy. The average cost for tubal ligations and bilateral salpingectomies in the US and Canada range between $5,000 to $7,000. Hysterectomies are more complex, and as such, the costs can be quite high- ranging from $9,000 to $13,000.

What If Your Doctor Still Refuses Medical Treatment?

Demand An Explanation

Why are they refusing you this medical treatment? Is it your doctor’s personal or religious beliefs? What steps does your doctor want you to take before performing the procedure? Can they refer you to a doctor who can perform the procedure since they are unwilling to do so?

Request they document the refusal in your medical record and watch them do so. Do not leave the office until you actually watch them type it in your chart. 

If you are refused do not give up, know that you are not alone and you should keep trying. Check out the list of childfree-friendly doctors above to see if any of them are in your area and available for an appointment.