There are quite a number of women who prefer to undergo sterilization called as tubal ligation, which means that they have their fallopian tubes tied up. The aim of tubal ligation is to keep the sperms from fertilizing the egg after it is released from the ovary. Though most of the women who undergo tubal ligation do not suffer from any side effects, it is seen that only in 37% only of the women suffer from post tubal ligation syndrome.

According to some of the studies conducted, there are some women who are considered to be at a greater risk of post tubal ligation syndrome as compared to the others. Let’s see some facts that can educate us on who can be at a risk of developing post tubal ligation syndrome and what are the symptoms of this syndrome.

Women who have their tubes tied through the process of cauterization are at a higher risk of developing post tubal ligation syndrome as compared to those women who have then tied by clips or rings. As explained by doctors’ cases of mid-segment tubal ligations are more prone to post tubal ligation syndrome. Women undergoing another type of tubal ligation, which is called coagulation or bi-polar cauterization, are again at a greater risk of developing post tubal ligation syndrome.

It has also been also observed that women who get tubal ligation done in 20’s are at a greater risk as compared to women who get tubal ligation done in 30’s or 40’s. It is seen that women in the age group of 20-29 show irregular menstrual cycles as compared to those women who get it done in their 30’s and 40’s.

The reason that women develop post tubal ligation syndrome after having the fallopian tubes tied is the marked decline in the estrogen and the progesterone levels in the body. This can result in alteration of the blood supply to the ovaries during the procedure or can be a result of damage cause to the receptor cells.

Some of the symptoms of post tubal ligation syndrome include:

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Episodes of rapid heartbeats

• Night sweats, hot flushes, chills

• Mood swings, irritation, trouble sleeping at night

• Irregular or heavy or light periods, dry and itchy vagina, loss of libido

• Fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, sudden memory lapse

• Sore and aching joints, itchy skin

• Gastrointestinal problems

• Tenderness in breasts, decrease in the mass of the breast

• Frequent headaches, dizziness, and loss of balance

• Increase in facial hair and thinning and loss of hair on head, whole body and pubic area

• Increase in gum bleeding, burning of tongue, change in odor of breath, bad taste in the mouth

• Brittle fingernails that tend to crack faster

If you have undergone a tubal ligation and are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above, then it is quite possible that you are suffering from post tubal ligation syndrome. It is important that you visit your doctor as soon as possible and rule out any further complications associated with the condition.

Mark Perry

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