Ever heard of side effects from a simple surgery? How about the procedure causing harsh menstrual cycles? Thousands of women across the U. S. have had this surgery and have the same complaint. The surgery is a tubal ligation which is a simple surgical procedure for birth control (Tubal Ligation Health Article, 2007). Doctors do not believe this occurs but yet research shows that a possible syndrome may very well exist. An imbalanced hormone level caused by atrophied ovaries is just one major side effect of this simple surgery (Surgical Menopause (Female Castration), 1997).
Imbalanced hormone levels are what cause these harsh menstrual cycles. Hormone levels are how doctors explain away the problems that occur after a tubal ligation (Sterilization not the cause of menstrual problems (pg. 30), 2001). However, the problem is there are no explanations as to why the hormone levels change or the cause. While medical doctors believe this syndrome does not exist, post tubal ligation syndrome is a very real condition that impacts women’s health everyday. [pic] Here is an atrophic ovary after a tubal ligation surgery. This is just one side effect of the procedure.
There is an actual condition called Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome or PTLS. Research was done in 1976 to show proof it existed. They compared several women’s post surgery menstrual cycles. The study showed women who had been on the pill prior to the surgery ended up with heavier bleeding post surgery. The OBGyn community did not want patients to know this information (Getting Your Tubes Tied, 2005). Money would be taken out of their pockets if women truly knew the side effects of this procedure. Doctors claim the syndrome does not exist and there are just hormone changes causing the various issues.
In some cases women have been told that it is all in their head. There are several organizations such as the Coalition for Post Tubal Women who have joined efforts and accumulated information to put into books such as, “What Doctor’s Don’t Tell You About Tubal Ligation and Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome” (Tubal. org, 2006). Doctor’s such as Gary S. Berger, M. D. of the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center has seen several of the same exact cases (Chapel Hill Reversal Center, 2009). The list of side effects is immense and researchers seem to find women develop them after having the tubal ligation procedure.
Does the syndrome exist? This is a constant question that has not been truly answered just contradicted. Studies have proven both sides of the argument for it, and against it. On the internet alone case after case of this syndrome does exist. These women all seem to have the same symptoms and their doctors tell them the same thing. What are the doctors telling them? That this condition does not exist and hormone levels are to blame for the changes. Doctors state no such syndrome exists and can explain away the symptoms women are having.
Thousands of women who have had the same exact surgery are having the same exact symptoms, but it is just hormones. Sadly, this is not just about hormone levels because the symptoms can be more severe than a harsh cycle. Depression, weight gain, mood swings, lack of libido, early menopause, osteoporosis, nail breakage, and incontinence are just a few of the other issues. These side effects do walk a fine line between hormone levels and an indication of possibly deeper issues. Hormones can be an easy explanation for all things female because that is just genetics.
Medicine just needs to dig in deeper and try to get a handle on hormone levels. If doctors can figure out the whys, and what for of such things then the root of the problem can be solved. Researching the surgical process of the tubal ligation, more in-depth, can shed some light of more effective methods. This research could finally provide evidence that is much needed to prove the syndrome’s existence. The biggest piece of evidence this syndrome truly exists is the quantity of cases. Insurance does not cover a tubal reversal, so one would have to pay out-of-pocket.
Therefore, statistics are hard to come by, but blow by blow testimonials say enough (Misplaced Brit, Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome, 2006). If more women come forward maybe the medical world would recognize something has to be done. So many women who do not even know each other have the exact same story. Some different types of statistics can be found such as the age brackets and regret. Statistics from a study in a Brazilian hospital shows women who have regretted the surgery. The table below shows the long-term regret risk of the procedure. [pic]
This picture being painted seems like all doom and gloom, but if the right steps are taken the syndrome does not have to be. Women have various reasons as to why they decided on a tubal ligation. One journal article states, “average age at sterilization was 26-7 years; 65 (63-1%) had been sterilized immediately after pregnancy, and many patients had previously used contraception inadequately when they were sterilized. When they had been sterilized 78 (75-7%) patients were unhappily married and remarriage was the chief reason for the request for reversal” (Why 103 women asked for reversal of sterilization, 1977).
These statistics are old, but in researching this syndrome the reasons for sterilization have not changed in 2009. Women have had to state these reasons because doctors will not recognize their issues being linked to post tubal ligation syndrome. There is hope for these women that have regretted their decision. The option for a reversal gives relief from the syndrome and renews the possibility of childbirth if so desired. Percentage rates change once you have had a reversal but such things as weight loss can increase chance of pregnancy (Weight loss ups pregnancy odds after tubal reversal, 2003).
Again, being informed about everything before and after any type of elective surgery is necessary. The message is being read loud and clear. A tubal ligation is an elective surgery and all side effects should be discussed beforehand (Tubal Ligation or Tubal Lies? , 2007). Tubal ligation was thought to be a miracle and permanent birth control for women. Various types of the sterilization procedure are available to patients. Cauterization is one form of the sterilization procedure called tubal ligation. One issue that can occur with this particular procedure is scarring.
If too much is burned too close to the ovary then it can shut down the ovary. This would cause such hormonal imbalances discussed in the earlier paragraphs. These hormonal imbalances set off a chain of various side effects causing Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome or PTLS for short. PTLS is considered an iatrogenesis condition which means, “doctor- caused”, or “doctor produced” condition. [pic] Here is a simplified illustration of the cauterization procedure (Tubal ligation Health Article, 2009). When one looks at the above photograph, the procedure looks so simple and harmless.
Yet so much can go wrong and have detrimental side effects for the rest of that woman’s life. Not every woman who has had this procedure done will have issues but there are no statistics to show this either way. So many women go into this uninformed then it is too late. The damage has been done and the suffering is unbearable. Fortunately, a draft for legislation called the, “Modernization Act for Women’s Informed Consent for Tubal Ligation and Fallopian Tube Devices for Contraception” (Draft of Proposed Legislation, 2004).
This bill is being passed state by state but regretfully, not all states have passed it. Other such major procedures such as, an abortion or even dental surgery, has informed consent. In fairness every surgical procedure that involves any type of anesthetic should have the same informed consent. By passing such legislation, doctors would be required to give women the information needed called, the “Take-Home-and-Keep Informed Consent” which will include but not be limited to: • The type of sterilization to be done, or the name of device that will be used.
• The name of the procedure in generally understood words • A description of how the procedure will be performed • The reason or indications and contraindications for the procedure • Whether the procedure is diagnostic, therapeutic, preventative, or cosmetic • Expected outcome concerning pain, function, and sensation • Possible risks – hormonal, physical, mental, psychological, emotional, and social • Possible complications, including infection rates and those documented and provided by the Freedom of Information Act and provided by NLM, PubMed • Cost and expense
• Average recuperation time (Draft of Proposed Legislation, 2004) Women will know the risks that are involved with this surgery before having such a procedure done. Doctors will have to realize the risk their patients have been put in by not correctly informing. Society as a whole will be bettered with correct information and less unnecessary misery for families. One woman in Canada suffered from twenty one of the 34 various symptoms of this syndrome. She knew the cure would be a tubal reversal so she saved up money to pay for the procedure.
Upon discussing with her doctor as to why she wanted the surgery, they did not believe her (Misplaced Brit “Post tubal ligation syndrome”, 2006). This woman since has created a Facebook page for women called, “Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome Awareness”. A common bond is being formed by various women that once were strangers. These sites also offer information and advice for women seeking answers before or after tubal ligations. Several women have posted on various websites about being “blown off” or told “it’s all in my head”.
Being used as a human pin cushion or guinea pig is not nice for anyone. Women such as the one in Canada have had to endure procedures such as biopsies, unnecessary ultra sounds, blood tests, and a battery of other types of tests, to explain away what is happening. Doctors will deny the fact a woman that used to have regular periods now have massive bleeding and clots. OB-Gyn’s will tell the public that these issues all are because of hormones. Women are not always “hormonal” and should not be stereotyped in such a way when in suffering.
In conclusion, the syndrome has not been completely proven to exist but, it is there. Doctors choose not to acknowledge this fact and do nothing about it (The “Human Rights” Crime of the Century, 1999). The symptoms can be simple and slight all the way to very severe. There are too many cases with the same exact symptoms, for this to be something, make believe, or just “hormonal”. Women need to be more informed of the actual side effects of this surgery and doctors need to take notice of PTLS. There are several support groups for such a syndrome like the Coalition of Post Tubal Women.
This coalition needs all women’s help to push the much needed legislation through. Once women are better informed and the medical society can make some changes on how to treat this syndrome. More research may be done to better these procedures and the harm this surgery can cause. So what does this have to do with everyone else? What does this have to do with people in general? This procedure could affect anyone such as the person reading this paper. This procedure may have affected the author who wrote it. A list with a total of 34 possible symptoms is nothing to be taken lightly.
Being informed is never a bad thing and can help save someone from having a miserable post-op life. Money being taken out of a doctor’s pocket should not be a reason to ignore so many cases of misery. Patients should not have to feel like they cannot tell their doctor about everything without ridicule. Doctors should show respect to their patients as they expect to be shown. Information is the key for everything in life including elective surgery such as a tubal ligation. References Bucher, S. (1999) The “Human Rights” Crime of the Century. Retrieved July 15, 2009, from http://members.
tripod. com/~sterilization_rights/history. html Chapel Hill Reversal Center. (2009). Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome. Retrieved June 17, 2009, from: http://www. tubal-reversal. net/post_tubal_ligation_syndrome. htm Coalition for Post Tubal Women. (2006). Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS). Retrieved June 12, 2009, from: http://tubal. org/VGHPTS. htm Contraceptive Technology Update (2001, March). Sterilization not the cause of menstrual problems (pg. 30). Retrieved June 12, 2009, from: General Onefile: Apollo Library. Far, Far Away. (2006). Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome.
Retrieved June 12, 2009, from: http://retardedrugrat. wordpress. com/2006/06/14/post-tubal-ligation-syndrome/. Medicine. Net. (2005). Getting Your Tubes Tied. Retrieved June 17, 2009, from: http://www. medicinenet. com/script/main/art. asp? articlekey=51216 Splete, Heidi. (2003). Weight loss ups pregnancy odds after tubal reversal. Retrieved June 12, 2009, from: General Onefile: Apollo Library. Tubal ligation Health Article. (2008). Tubal ligation information. Retrieved July 05, 2009, from: http://www. healthline. com/adamcontent/tubal-ligation? utm_source=birth_control.