Has anyone had their tubes tied? Please help answer a few questions if you know anything!

[nikandbud]

Hello,
I am having my third child in March via c-section. I've had 3 c-sections and we would like to be done having children after this. I was planning to have my tubes tied (my DR is also telling me more than 3 c-sections would be dangerous for my health).

Anyways, I was fine with this until I started researching the side effects (something about tubal ligation syndrome)...women have mood swings, weight gain, depression, facial hair, painful and long cycles and more. My husband doesn't want to get a vasectomy b/c we were sure this was the best thing since I was already in surgery.

So, tubes tied vs. vasectomy if I'm already under? Or too many side effects?

Thanks for your help!!

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

subbing...I want to get my tubes tied after this baby....but I can not deal with side effects like that!

[2xy]

I got my tubes tied five years ago. I have absolutely not had any weirdness like you describe. However, mine are clamped, not cauterized. I've read that women who undergo cauterization are at higher risk for side effects. My doctor also told me that cauterized tubes are at higher risk for ectopic pregnancy than clamped ones.

[HappyTomato]

I had my tubal in January of this year. I've not noticed anything worse about my cycle than usual. I had mood swings, etc before so maybe I'm not the best person to ask. I have no idea whether my tubes were cauterized or clamped. My mood swings are usually only the day or two before my period actually starts so its nothing too bad and that's pretty typical for me. The only thing different about my cycle that I've noticed since the tubal is I have really light spotting a few days before AF really begins.

[dayiscoming2006]

I personally couldn't handle the increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. I was seriously considering permanent birth control but that risk immediately put me off.

Hubby isn't willing to go the other route so, oh well.

[soso-lynn]

A vasectomy takes a few minutes and can be done in the doctor's office. The extra risks of getting your tubes tied are not worth it.

[mamazee]

I got my tubes tied because we'd already paid the out of pocket max for me for that so it wouldn't cost us anything.  I haven't had any ill effects.  I wonder if some of the side effects are actually due to aging and not the tubal, as women tend to get the surgery in their late 30s early 40s, and some of those side effects sound like perimenopause .

[Kellyh_01]

I had my tubal 10/29 at 4 weeks postpartum.  I have had no side effects.  I love it!  It is wonderful to be able to have an active sex life with DH without having to worry about a thing!  It has been wonderful for our relationship.

[dashley111]

Im one of those who had terrible side effects- I had PTLS (or PSS).  I ended up with terrible and painful periods and NO sex drive at all.  We started planning my reversal less than 6 months after my tubal!  If me and DH could go back in time we would have opted for a  vasectomy, both of us agree on that.  It is easier to reverse, and not as hard on the body of the man as it is on the woman who has a reversal. 

Also, wanted to say that my problems had nothing to do with age- I was 23 when I had the procedure done.

[Storm Bride]

My mom had a lot of trouble when she had hers done, and my sister had some issues, as well.

I had mind done during my fifth c-section. DH was willing to get a vasectomy, but for multiple reasons, I felt this made more sense in our situation. I don't think I've had any side effects. It's hard to say for sure, as my entire pelvis is a mess, anyway (extensive numbness dating from my third section is a major factor). I've had semi-painful periods ever since my first section, and I don't think that's any worse than it used to be. My sex drive is fine - finally - it's been a bit up and down through my last four pregnancies and breastfeeding. Moodiness? Who knows? I've always been kind of moody and it's always been partly hormonal. I can't really tell if it's any worse than it used to be.

re: age. My mom had hers during her last c-section, at almost 26 (two weeks shy of her birthday). My sister had hers during her one and only c-section (her fourth baby, after vaginally birthing her twin, and she hadn't ever planned more than two) at 33. I had mine at 41. So, in our case at least, there's been an inversely proportional relationship to age at time of tubal and severity of symptoms. Mind you, mom had hers done a long time ago, and it's probable that the surgical technque has improved, which may have made a difference.