[Is there a place for tubal ligation in modern contraception?].

About 30% of women with completed family planning choose tubal ligation as a method of contraception. Contraceptive safety of tubal ligation, with a Pearl index of 0.18, is comparable to those of OC or modern intrauterine devices (IUD). Pregnancies that occur after tubal ligation are often ectopic, especially in young women. There is currently no evidence that tubal ligation causes menstrual abnormalities. The risk of breast cancer, cancer of the endometrium or cervix is not elevated after tubal ligation, whereas the risk of ovarian cancer is even reduced. The risk of post-sterilization regret is higher when the operation was performed in women with children aged younger than 30 years. Tubal ligation is recommendable for women over 35 years of age with completed family planning, especially if contraindications for the use of OC or IUD exist. In general, vasectomy should always be discussed as a possible alternative. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel