Naturopathic Source

If you are considering having a tubal ligation or have had one in the past and have been having health problems since, www.tubal.org is a website with lots of information that might interest you.

"Post-tubal ligation syndrome" (PTLS)  is the name for a group of symptoms that can occur in women after they have had a tubal ligation, also known as "getting your tubes tied". In some women, hormonal imbalances occur after the procedure which lead to a variety of different symptoms including: hot flashes, low energy, trouble sleeping, loss of libido, heavy and/or irregular periods, mood swings and more.

PTLS has been linked with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, premature ovarian failure, premature menopause, increased risk of heart disease, bone loss and osteoporosis.

One source of these problems can be damage to the arteries that supply the ovaries.

Unfortunately most women are not informed of these risks before undergoing the procedure.

I have seen several women in my office who have had a tubal ligation. Some of them were fine; no problematic symptoms and their menstrual cycles seemed normal and healthy. I have also seen women who had felt their health had declined after having the procedure. I once saw a patient in her 40's with the bone density of a women in her 70's. She had recently had her first bone scan and the results showed full-scale osteoporosis. She had a tubal ligation performed about 15 years earlier.

As with any medical intervention, the most important thing is that you are informed of all the risks so you are able to make the best decision for yourself.

TC