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Tubal Ligation
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Women

Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is a permanent surgical form of birth control that prevents pregnancy by blocking the path between the ovaries and the uterus.

The Procedure

Tubal ligation (getting your "tubes tied") is a type of surgery that prevents a woman from getting pregnant. It is a permanent form of birth control and is effective right away.

The surgery cuts, ties, or seals the fallopian tubes. This blocks the path between the ovaries and the uterus, ensuring that sperm cannot reach the egg to fertilize it, and the egg cannot reach the uterus.

Recovery and Reversal

You get the surgery in a hospital or outpatient surgical center. It usually takes about 30 minutes. Almost all women go home the same day and can return to most normal activities within a few days.

Tubal ligation can sometimes be reversed. The reversal is major surgery, and does not always work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most surgeons advise waiting 24‑48 hours before resuming sexual activity. Because a tiny percentage of women become pregnant before the tubes are fully occluded, many doctors recommend using a backup method (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days or until a post‑procedure hysterosalpingogram confirms blockage.
Reversal success depends on age, tube length remaining, and the method originally used. Women under 35 years with ≥4 cm of tube left have a 70‑90% chance of restored fertility; success drops to 30‑50% after age 40 or if the tubes were clipped rather than cut. Reversal is a major abdominal surgery with its own risks, so discuss realistic expectations with a fertility specialist.
lthough tubal ligation is >99% effective, a small failure rate exists. Signs of possible pregnancy include missed period, breast tenderness, or nausea. If you suspect pregnancy, take a home test and contact your provider promptly, as ectopic pregnancy risk is higher after tubal ligation.
Prior PID or abdominal surgeries increase the technical difficulty and may raise the risk of postoperative complications, but they do not automatically disqualify you. Your surgeon will assess scar tissue, tube condition, and overall health to decide the safest approach (laparoscopic, mini‑lap, or hysteroscopic).
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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