Have you ever made a decision that seemed logical at the time, but now you regret it due to changed circumstances? This is the case for about 35% of women who undergo tubal ligation. However, you can untie your tubes and seize the opportunity to expand your family.
What Does It Mean to Have Your “Tubes Tied”?
First of all, let me clarify that doctors do not physically “tie” the fallopian tubes; instead, they block them using various techniques. Moreover, once doctors successfully block these tubes, they prevent the egg from making its way down the tube and, consequently, the sperm from reaching the egg either. Subsequently, this prevention of fertilization occurs due to the obstruction in the fallopian tubes.
How to Get Your Tubes Untied?
If you are considering having your tubal ligation reversed (tubes untied), you are not alone. A significant percentage of women find themselves in the same place each year. However, it is important to note that the reversibility of the procedure depends on the specific technique used by doctors to block the fallopian tubes.
Chance of Pregnancy after Tubal Ligation Procedures Chart
| Procedure | How The Procedure Works | Can Tubal Ligation Be Reversed? |
|---|---|---|
Pomeroy Tubal Ligation | The surgeon shapes the fallopian tubes into loops and then pinches them using a few sutures. Additionally, the surgeon usually cuts the loops and cauterizes (burns) the ends of the tubes. | Yes, usually this Tubal Ligation can be reverted. |
Tubal Ring or Falope Ring | A tiny stretchy silicone band (ring) shapes the fallopian tube into a loop and secures it. So, the elasticity of the band blocks the fallopian tube. | Yes, for instance, the ring does not damage the fallopian tubes, and there is a fairly high rate of successful pregnancies after its removal. |
Tubal Clips (Spring Clip or Hulka Clip) | The doctor clamps a locking clip with a hinge mechanism onto a portion of the fallopian tube that is close to the uterus. The clip is only about 7mm wide so it normally does minimal damage to the fallopian tube. | Yes, numbers show a 76% pregnancy rate following the reversal of this procedure. |
Laparoscopic Cauterization | In detail, this approach uses cauterization to target 2-3 cm sections of the fallopian tube by employing electrical current. Additionally, the number of sections that are cauterized determines the extent of tube damage. | Yes, statistics indicate a 70% pregnancy rate following the tubal ligation reversal of this procedure. |
Fimbriectomy | The surgeon removes a small portion of the fallopian tube that is closest to the ovary, preventing the ovary from transferring the egg into the tube. | No, reversing this procedure involves a complicated and delicate repair. Additionally, fimbriectomy has the lowest success rate for repair and is not recommended. In vitro fertilization is an option. |
Salpingectomy | Doctors normally use this procedure to treat ectopic pregnancies and ovarian cancer, and they usually remove the fallopian tubes. In extremely rare cases (10%) repair may be possible. | No, the reversal rate is 10% and only successful in rare cases. |
Essure* | They placed a nickel coil into the opening of the fallopian tube near the uterus using a hysteroscope. | No. Thus, there have only been a handful of successful reversals of Essure. Additionally, of those reversals, many pregnancy problems were reported. |
*Essure is no longer being sold or distributed in the United States.
Tubes Untied with Tubal Reversal FAQs
What is the Success Rate of Tubal Ligation Reversal?
Firstly, several factors influence the success of becoming pregnant after tubal ligation, including the patient’s age. Equally important, is the type of procedure they will revert. Additionally, procedures that can be easily reversed seem to have an 80% success rate for women under 30, a 70% success rate for women aged 31-39, and a 25-40% success rate for women over 40.
Can Tubal Ligation Be Reversed if They Were Burned?
It is important to consider the potential risks and complications associated with the reversal procedure, as well as the success rates. However, with new medical technology, the chances of a successful tubal ligation reversal have significantly increased. In conclusion, while cauterizing or burning the fallopian tubes may initially seem permanent, patients need to be aware of the possibility and options for reversal if desired in the future.
Is it Possible to Naturally Revert the Procedure at Home?
Firstly, there are no proven or known home remedies to increase your chances of getting pregnant after a tubal ligation without some type of surgical reversal intervention. Lastly, the only known way to get pregnant after tubal ligation without a reversal procedure is in vitro fertilization, which has a higher cost and a lower success rate.
Can You Become Pregnant after a Tubal Ligation?
However, tubal ligation is not completely effective for everyone, with an estimated failure rate of approximately 1 in 200. Additionally, stories of women “reversing a tubal ligation naturally” on social media are often cases of rare ligation failures. Moreover, tubal ligation may increase the chances of ectopic pregnancy, a risky condition where a fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus, requiring immediate medical help.
Lastly, if you’re interested in getting a Tubal Ligation Reversal, contact IBI Healthcare Institute. Also, our experienced surgeons are available and can guide you through your fertility journey.
