Have you ever made a decision that at the time seems the most logical, and you’re sure this is what you want, and you’re not going to change your mind? And now… your circumstances have changed, things in your life are different, and you wish you could rewind and undo that choice? This is the case with about 35% of women who undergo a tubal ligation also commonly known as having their “tubes tied”. What seemed like the right decision at the time now feels like a regrettable choice. Can you get your tubes untied? Good news! Some tubal ligations can be reversed and provide women the opportunity to expand their family.
What Does It Mean to Have Your “Tubes Tied”?
First, let me explain that fallopian tubes do not ever really get “tied”, they get blocked using one of many different techniques. After the fallopian tubes are blocked, the egg cannot travel down the tube and the sperm is not able to reach the egg, which prevents fertilization.
Can Tubal Ligation Be Reversed?
If you are considering having your tubal ligation reversed, you are not alone. Each year a significant percentage of women find themselves in the same place. There are different techniques that doctors use to block the fallopian tubes and the type of the procedure that was used will be an important factor in determining whether it can be reversed.
Chance of Pregnancy after Tubal Ligation Procedures (Chart)
| Procedure | How The Procedure Works | Can Tubal Ligation Be Reversed? |
|---|---|---|
| Pomeroy Tubal Ligation | The fallopian tubes are shaped into a loop and then pinched using a few sutures. The loop is normally cut and the tube ends are cauterized (burned). | Yes, usually. |
| Tubal Ring or Falope Ring | The fallopian tube is shaped into a loop and secured with a tiny stretchy silicone band (ring) The elasticity of the band blocks the fallopian tube. | Yes, normally the ring does not damage the fallopian tubes and there is a fairly high pregnancy success rate after removal. |
| Tubal Clips (Spring Clip or Hulka Clip) |
A locking clip with a hinge mechanism is clamped 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, statistics indicate a 76% pregnancy rate following the reversal of this procedure. |
| Bipolar Coagulation (Laparoscopic Cauterization) | Uses electrical current to cauterize 2-3 cm sections of the fallopian tube and damage to the tube depends on the number of sections cauterized. | Yes, statistics indicate a 70% pregnancy rate following the reversal of this procedure. |
| Fimbriectomy | A small portion of the fallopian tube that is closest to the ovary is removed which prevents the ovary from transferring the egg into the tube. | No. Reversing this procedure involves a complicated and delicate repair. Fimbriectomy has the lowest success rate for repair and it is not recommended. In vitro fertilization is an option. |
| Salpingectomy | This procedure is normally used to treat ectopic pregnancies and ovarian cancer and involves removing 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* | A nickel coil was placed into the opening of the fallopian tube near the uterus using a hysteroscope. | No. There have only been a handful of successful reversals of Essure. Of those reversals, many pregnancy complications were reported. |
*Essure is no longer being sold or distributed in the United States.
Tubal Ligation FAQs
What Is The Success Rate Of Tubal Ligation Reversal?
The success of becoming pregnant after tubal ligation is influenced by several factors including the patient’s age, and more importantly, the type of procedure that is being reversed. Procedures that can easily be reversed seem to carry about an 80% success rate for women under 30, a 70% success rate for women 31-39, and a 25-40% success rate for women over 40.
Can Tubal Ligation Be Reversed if They Were Burned?
Cauterizing or burning the fallopian tubes is one of the most common techniques used and a skilled surgeon who specializes in reversals should be able to reverse the procedure. Many doctors will advise patients that cauterizing their tubes may yield permanent results but normally they can be reversed.
Can You Reverse Tubal Ligation at Home Naturally?
There are no proven or known home remedies for improving your chances of getting pregnant after a tubal ligation without some type of surgical reversal intervention. Invitro fertilization comes with a higher cost and a lower success rate but it is the only known way to get pregnant after tubal ligation without a reversal procedure.
Can You Become Pregnant after a Tubal Ligation?
Tubal ligation is not 100% effective for all patients and has a failure rate that is estimated to be about 1 in 200. If you have read stories on social media about a woman “reversing a tubal ligation naturally”, more than likely it was actually one of the rare ligation failures. Sometimes, tubal ligation can elevate the risks of an ectopic pregnancy when the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube and doesn’t make it down to the uterus. This is very dangerous and is considered a medical emergency.
If you are considering reversing your tubal ligation, please contact IBI Healthcare Institute for a consultation with one of our highly skilled surgeons. We will be happy to discuss the options available to you and what steps are necessary to move forward in your fertility journey.
