"Hi my name is Aubrey. I had my tubes tied 2 1/2 years ago after my 5th child at the age of 24. The first year I didn't have many side effects other than some depression. The last year my period has been all over the place. I have actually bled for the last 2 months straight. I have been extremely tired where some days I can't get out of bed. I sleep all day and all night. Although some of my symptoms could be attributed to the death of one of my kids back in 2010. I do believe that the tubal has caused many issues. I am now suffering from major anxiety that has worsened with my continuious bleeding. I have contemplated suicide because of the bleeding and cramps. I know that sounds extreme but I get extremely emotional and crazy. I feel like I'm stuck like this. The tubal was a very wrong choice that I now have to live with. No I do not want another child and that is not the reason I regret the surgery."
One of the most common things I have heard to combat the idea that there is actual physical side effects from tubal ligation is "the woman probably realized she wasn't done and regrets it but doesn't want to admit that". I cannot tell you how many women hesitate to try reversal to correct the symptoms as they fear conceiving if they do so. It needs to be understood that while some women carry regret in regards to fertility/growing their family along with the physical symptoms, this is simply not the case for every woman going through PTLS. Many decide to pursue complete tube removal (Bilateral Salpingectomy) or partial/radical hysterectomy to find relief, because it gives them a possible fix without restoring the fertility they were trying to eliminate by seeking tubal ligation in the first place. Women with Filshie clips or other foreign objects used in their sterilization method sometimes find relief simply from having the objects removed, not having the tubes themselves repaired. In these cases, many times the symptoms have been a reaction to the materials the clips/rings are made of, and in some cases x-rays show the clips traveling off of the Fallopian tubes and into less desired areas in the abdomen, causing damage to surrounding organs.
Simply put, each case is individualized, and each woman has to research and work with her care provider to figure out what will work best for her personal set of symptoms.
Please take some time to submit your experience to tubal.lie.gation@gmail.com, I am always taking submissions. Thank you!
