We're considering one of the two and not sure which way to go. Has anyone had experience and could give me some pros and cons of each??!!

By Jann on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 07:50 am:

A vasectomy is less invasive surgery than a tubal. Sometimes women who have had tubals will start to experience PMS problems and cycle problems.

By Colette on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 07:59 am:

A vasectomy is also reversable, a tubal is not.

By Tonya on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 08:01 am:

I had my tubes tied a year ago and now only have a period every 6-8 weeks and when I do I go through 1 extra large over night pad every 2 hours for the first 3-4 days.

This month was actually only 4 weeks between last month and this so they might finally be regulating themselves out hopefully.I loved going for 2 months with nothing but man when it hit look out it was awful.

By Kernkate on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 08:46 am:

I had my tubes tied almost 5 years ago, PMS is a bit worse, but I know when Auntie Flow comes now she is a lot heavier, as Tonya said, and last alot longer then before I had them tied. But I am on a regular schedule with my period that hasn't changed either.
I guess everyone is different but thats the changes I have noticed.

By Reds9298 on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 08:58 am:

Isn't tubal an actual surgery, where a vasec is in the office? I thought that was the case, which the makes the decision easy for me!!!

By Tonya on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:08 am:

Mine was done as outpatinet surgery where they cut 2 small laser spots that you cannot even see now. Both about 1/4 inch long at the belly button and at the hair line I was in at 8am and out by 11am same day.

By Conni on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:09 am:

I thought the tubal procedure now is done by laser?? And is an outpatient procedure as well as the V.

Dh has had 2 V's. (thought i was stopping after 2 children-- but ended up with a bonus child!) I LOVE that he has had a V. Nice not worrying about BC...

Procedure was simple. Recovery time was very quick. Didnt have to pay for it since the doc screwed up. So I dont know how much they cost.

My sister had her tubes tied and she had problems afterwards. She eventually ended up having a partial hysterectomy... I dont know if it was all related to the tubal or not. But thats what her experience was after her tubal...

By Kernkate on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:16 am:

I had a c-section when I had Alissa and they did the tubal at the same time.

By Rayanne on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:16 am:

My neighbor had her tubes tied, and had so many problems after with her periods that she had to have more surgery for that.

I would have your DH go with the Vasectomy.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:27 am:

DH had a vasectomy last year. After 2 c-sections we figured it was his turn to go under the knife. LOL! The procedure was fairly quick and although DH wouldn't describe it as a picnic, he said it wasn't nearly as bad as he had anticipated. He didn't test sperm free until several months later. He did experience epididymis (one of the possible complications) but it was easily remedied. Since we got the green flag from the doctor it has been WONDERFUL not having to worry about BC!

Definitely do your research about tubals. My mom had one, suffered many problems and ultimately ended up getting a complete hysterectomy. She believes she had PTLS (post tubal ligation syndrome), which is controversial in the medical field.

By Tink on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 10:59 am:

I had my tubes tied after my third dk was born with a c-section. I had more pain with that recovery than the others but I haven't noticed my periods to be any heavier or more painful. AF has never been regular but it's not any different than before the tubal. I will admit to loving the fact that I don't have to worry about BC anymore!

By Missmudd on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:53 am:

Our decision was made on the fact that if a tubal fails it can mean an etopic pregnancy which can kill you. A failed vasectomy means a bonus child, we would just consider it one of those things and have another kiddo. Also the V seemed more of a sure bet, there was a definitive test that said he was shooting blanks, with a tubal you never know. (I know that you still can sometimes end up prego even after a neg test but it is really really rare.) Finally, after 4 vb it was time for him to pony up, I have had my backside looked at by more people than I care to think about.

By Livvy on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:01 pm:

Thanks everyone!! I have been doing some research online and found a website that was informative. It is www.tubal.org

After reading your posts and reading that site, I think DH will decide to go with the Big V!!!

The site claims that doctors are not informing patients of all the complications from tubals because of the money they make: doing the tubal originally and correcting it 2-3 times after that (not to mention the money they make from other complications!) If that is true, that is an awful thing to be happening to women!!!!

That site mentioned PTLS also! I am not ready to possibly suffer any of those complications!!

Thanks again!!!

By Kay on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 07:37 pm:

Just for the record, some tubals CAN be reversed. You would just have to find a specialist who can do it, and it depends on the type of tubal you had.

By Missbookworm on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 09:17 pm:

We're both fixed :P

I suppose that's sometimes what happens when you get divorced and end up dating someone afterwards and he's done it to stop having children with his old partner.

I don't regret getting mine done at all. I wanted to be sure that no matter what I'd end up not having more children. There is a chance that a tubal won't take and ectopic pregnancies. I suppose I'm double protected.

I've noticed more lower back pain with the start of my period and it's a bit heavier and longer (5 days instead of 4) but not awful.

By Jodes on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 10:20 pm:

We have been discussing this at my house too.I have heard there is another option for women called Essure, it's when a doctor inserts little coils into the fallopian tubes, and in about 3 months, scar tissue grows around the coils, and so that blocks the egg. It is done in the doctor's office, quick and supposedly relatively painless, and no surgery required (the coils are inserted through the vagina). I was considering doing this, but was wondering if anyone else knows anyone who has. It is considered permanent.

By Wandilu on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 12:05 am:

My dd had a tubal after her second ds was born.They cut them,tied them,and then burnt them.Her Dr.said this type of tubal was absolutely non-refersable.Exactly nine months later,she was pregnant again!!!But,it was such a blessing! She gave birth to a beautiful red headed little girl,Hannah Rose.Also,a 40 something yr old lady here in town became a grandma for the first time about 2 months ago,and just found out SHE is PREGNANT!!She had a tubal 15 yrs ago!!!