9 Jul 2025 - FPAHK Yuen Long Birth Control Clinic (G/F) is tentatively scheduled to relocate to a temporary address in September 2025
31 Dec 2024 - Opening Hours of FPA Birth Control Clinics from January to December, 2025
The female reproductive organs include the vagina, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. The fallopian tube is the tubular structure that carries the egg and is where the egg and sperm meet for fertilization.
Female sterilization is performed by cutting or blocking the fallopian tubes so that sperm and egg cannot meet, thereby achieving the purpose of permanent contraception (refer to the diagram). The commonly used methods are "laparoscopic sterilization", "transabdominal sterilization" and "postpartum sterilization". In very rare situations, a woman may still become pregnant after the surgery, mainly due to the recanalization of the ligation site.
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What is "laparoscopic sterilization"?
After general anesthesia, the doctor will introduce a laparoscope through the belly button to inspect the organs in the pelvic cavity. Surgical methods include resection of both fallopian tubes, ligation followed by cutting or cauterizing the tubes, or placing small clips or rings to block the tubes.
What is "transabdominal sterilization"?
This surgery can be performed under general or regional anesthesia. During the operation, the doctor makes an incision about an inch long in the lower abdomen of the woman to find the left and right fallopian tubes, and then removes, ligates and cuts them, or puts a small clip on the fallopian tubes. The entire surgery takes about 20 minutes.
Since the incision is above the pubic bone, the wound is usually about an inch long, and is sutured with dissolvable medical sutures, so the scars left in the future will be very small.
What is "postpartum sterilization"?
Postpartum sterilization is a tubal ligation procedure performed a few days after delivery. Under general or regional anesthesia, a small incision is made below the belly button, and then the fallopian tubes are ligated with removal of section. The fallopian tubes can be ligated at the same time during caesarean section.
How effective is female sterilization as a contraceptive?
Female sterilization is a permanent method of contraception. According to studies, a woman's chance of unintended pregnancy in the first year of using this contraceptive method is 0.5%. In very rare cases, the ligation site will be recanalized, resulting in a chance of pregnancy. If you become pregnant under such circumstances, an ectopic pregnancy may occur.
When is the best time for female sterilization?
Most women have a misunderstanding that sterilization must be performed within 2 or 3 days after delivery. In fact, as long as the doctor deems it suitable after examination, the appropriate time can be arranged for sterilization.
What are the side effects after surgery?
In addition to complications caused by general surgical operations, such as pain, bleeding and wound inflammation, female sterilization itself will not damage or affect the physiological functions of the body, nor will it affect health and sexual life.
Will it take some time to resume sexual activity after surgery?
Sexual activity can be resumed as soon as the wound heals after surgery.
After surgery, where do the eggs go?
After the surgery, the ovaries will release eggs as usual, but since the eggs cannot pass through the fallopian tubes, they will be naturally absorbed by the body.
Will the surgery affect menstruation immediately and cause menopause?
Female sterilization only removes or cuts the fallopian tubes, but does not remove the ovaries and uterus. Therefore, ovulation will still occur every month. However, because the fallopian tubes are removed or cut, the eggs cannot merge with the sperm, so pregnancy cannot occur. After surgery, a woman's menstruation remains the same as usual, with no difference. And because the ovaries are still there, they can continue to secrete female hormones normally, and there will be no early "menopause".
Does female sterilization affect mood or weight?
After female sterilization, only the eggs and sperm cannot meet. The other parts of the body remain unchanged and secrete female hormones as normal. The mood or weight will not be affected.
How long should women rest after female sterilization?
After female sterilization, a woman can resume her normal life after just two days of rest. It is recommended to avoid excessive physical exertion for two weeks to speed up the body's recovery.
Can everyone have surgery?
As long as the doctor considers it suitable after a physical examination, you can apply for female sterilization. There is no hard and fast requirement for the age of the applicant, but applicants should consider the number and age of their children before making a decision.
Where are female sterilization services provided?
FPAHK does not provide female sterilization services. It only provides women with pre-surgery counselling and arranges referrals of relevant cases to hospitals under the Hospital Authority or private hospitals for sterilization.
