FEMALE
STERILISATION
Other names: tubal occlusion
WHAT IS FEMALE STERILISATION?
Female sterilisation, also known as tubal occlusion, is an procedure permanently prevent pregnancy and involves cutting, sealing, or blocking the fallopian tubes which carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus (womb). It is a non-reversible form of birth control, so it is only a choice for women who never want to have children, or who don't wish to have any more.
A note on gender
Gender identification is a personal journey. Not everyone with a male body is a man and not everyone with a female body is a woman. This information is for people of all genders including transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals.
OVERVIEW
EFFICACY
99%+
FREQUENCY
PERMANENT
EFFECT ON FERTILITY
PERMANENT
BLOOD CLOT RISK
SMALL RISK
FEMALE STERILISATION IS A TYPE OF PERMANENT METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION
Female sterilisation belongs to a category of contraception known as permanent contraception. These methods are permanent and can’t usually be reversed.
HOW DOES FEMALE STERILISATION PREVENT PREGNANCY?
During female sterilisation, the fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry the eggs) are blocked or sealed.
This prevents the eggs from reaching the sperm and becoming fertilised.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS FEMALE STERILISATION?
Apart from abstinence, female sterilisation is the most effective method of contraception. Female sterilisation is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It’s rare for a tubal occlusion to fail. Sterilisation may fail if the tubes that carry the sperm or eggs rejoin, straight away or some years later.
PERFECT USE*
99%+
Effective
Approximately 1 out of every 100 women in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.
* Perfect use of a contraceptive method is when it is used correctly all the time.
TYPICAL USE*
99%+
Effective
Approximately 1 out of every 100 women in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.
*Typical use is what generally happens in real life. It takes into account human error e.g. forgetting to take your pill. Typical use is the same as perfect use for female sterilisation.
PREPARING FOR YOUR GP APPOINTMENT
Talking to your doctor
Get the information you need for an informed discussion with your doctor.
PP-UN-WHC-GB-0308 July 2025