Female sterilization, request for perspectives...

[moominmuppet]

My sister-in-law is looking into the possibility of sterilization, and is looking for people's experiences with it, good or bad, especially anything that isn't covered in the basic fact sheets and info generally available (like PP's info). She's relatively young and childfree, so is especially likely to run into problems finding a provider willing to perform the procedure, so experiences with that particular struggle would be helpful, too.

I'm going to screen comments on this post -- I'll unscreen if you say it's ok, otherwise I'll only share the info with her and my brother.

Thanks!

Comments

You may unscreen if you wish.

[blackbyrd2.livejournal.com]

I have no experience with this issue myself, obviously.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm not going to open my yap and prattle on about things I know nothing about. :)

On the troubles with getting sterilized when already childfree and young, I recommend a quick run through the Misanthropic Bitch's columns
(Link goes to one specifically detailing her experience trying to get a tubal at a young and childfree age.)
It's at least an entertaining read.

On the other hand, if there's a single, permanent male presence, supposedly male sterilization (via vasectomy) is much less prone to issues and troubles, although there is a pronounced chance apparently, of reduced testosterone production over a couple of decades. This might lead to reduced libido, which could be trouble if the male is still young now. Still, probably easier on him than a tubal might be on her.

Apparently you can still get to By His Mercies if she changes her mind, and wants to suddenly be a christian, and an idiot. (I have to say that the guest book they used to have was populated by the lowest forms of intelligence, and while I was sure they were ripping people off, the entries I read made me glad they were. We just don't need people that stupid reproducing.)

(OK, so my links and things aren't especially helpful. They're fun though, aren't they?)

[lilyofthewest.livejournal.com]

IUDs are nearly as awesome and it is much, much easier to find a clinician who will provide one of them for a young, child-free woman. My Mirena is less permanent (waah), but actually slightly effective (yay) than surgical sterilization, and considerably more effective than Essure (which I would probably consider over anything with actual cutting).

[lilyofthewest.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I don't need to be screened. Everyone knows that the IUD companies should be paying me.

[corivax.livejournal.com]

silenceleigh writes about it at length in her advice column journal here. Since that journal is intended as an advice column, I am sure she would be willing to answer more questions, too.

(You can unscreen this comment, since all it does is link to a public post.)

No need to screen, but a heads up:

[eris-esoteric.livejournal.com]

Don't get me wrong, I loves my Mirena, but she's going to have a hell of a time finding a provider willing to do that for her. I don't know what state she lives in, but some, including mine, have actual legislation on the books outlawing the sterilization of a healthy, childless female of child-bearing age, even if by her own choice. It's really something that she probably ought to research before she walks into a potential practitioner's office asking questions, as she might also be blacklisted, like I was when I was bound and determined to take that route instead of the IUD route I was eventually forced to take because of my state's draconian laws and my ever-dwindling pocketbook.

But hey, if nothing else please tell her good luck for me! I wish more people were willing and able to make the choice she has made for all our sakes.

Re: No need to screen, but a heads up:

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Thanks; I'll pass this along!

actual legislation on the books outlawing the sterilization of a healthy, childless female of child-bearing age, even if by her own choice

One guess as to my opinion on that lovely little bit of paternalism...

*grrrr*