Tubal ligation is a popular method of birth control for couples who are finished having children. There is a group of women who experience changes in the menstrual cycle after the surgery. These symptoms have been given a medical diagnosis, post tubal ligation syndrome.
The U.S. Collaborative Review on Sterilization was started in the late 1970s to collect data on tubal ligation and later menstrual difficulties and hysterectomy. The participants were all women under the age of 45 years old. The original group was women who were undergoing a tubal ligation. Later, a group of women with husbands who had vasectomies were added to the study.
The women answered questions and participated in follow up interviews for a period of between five and fifteen years. During each interview, the women were asked about their last three cycles in terms of length and duration of cycles, bleeding between periods and the regularity of cycles.
The study found the two groups of women did not display differences in either menstrual cycle irregularities or later hysterectomies. The researchers concluded there is no such thing as post tubal ligation syndrome.
However, the women who have experienced these symptoms aren’t satisfied with being told the syndrome does not exist. The Collaborative Review researchers suggested other factors, such as prior use of an IUD or oral contraceptives.
Other studies have found different results, showing a five percent increase in menstrual problems after a tubal ligation. These researchers feel this isn’t necessarily a separate syndrome so much as a complication or side effect of the procedure. The studies showing an increase in menstrual problems suggest this is more likely in younger women having the procedure in their twenties or thirties.
While the scientists duke it out, women are left in the middle. If you are having symptoms, speak to your doctor. Track your cycles while you wait for your appointment so you will have specific information to give your doctor. He will evaluate your symptoms and offer treatment options specific to your case.
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