Emergency Contraception & Sterilisation

Sterilisation

Pre-sterilisation information and advice

• Information given to men and women considering sterilisation should
  • ideally be conducted with both partners together, where acceptable and appropriate
  • include information on sterilisation procedures
  • highlight the irreversibility/permanence of sterilisation and that sterilisation reversal is not routinely available
  • include information on the associated failure rate associated with sterilisation procedures
  • include information on risk and complications associated with sterilisation procedures
  • discuss myths and misconceptions associated with sterilisation
  • inform individuals that vasectomy is safer, quicker to perform and is associated with less morbidity than female sterilisation by laparotomy or laparoscopy
  • include information on other methods of contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
  • assess individuals for known predictors of regret and highlight the possibility of regret associated with sterilisation
  • ensure that individuals are aware that sterilisation does not confer protection against sexually transmitted infections
  • highlight the need to use contraception until sterilisation has been carried out and the potential need to continue use beyond the procedure
  • enable individuals to make an informed decision and should include obtaining consent
  • be recorded/documented in clinical records
  • be carried out at a suitable interval prior to the procedure