Permanent Birth Control, - Sexual Health - General Message Board

DC300z · 07-19-2002, 05:36 PM

Im 18 and my girlfriend is also 18,

Were planing on getting married in less then a year,

Both of our families have terible health problems, from weak joints to thyroid problems to cancer on both sides, no one in either of our families seems to live past 50,

Also we've both had problems with our parents and we have a lot of plans that just could never work if we had children, nor do either of us want any,

So with these fatcors in mind, we want a really sure mathod of birth control, pills......not sure enough, condoms, not sure enough,

So were looking into " the operation " for either me or her depending on :

How much it costs

For whom it is more expensive ( me or her)

What are the changes that happen to both sexes after the operation

Is there any way you can get insurance to pay for it? lol

Generally, how much is it, who is it better to have it done, men or women, ?

Also, Is it 100% sure? Ive heard stories of women that have 3 children after the operation etc.

So, please give me some info on this and help me decide who would be better off having it done , me or her,

Thanks

mlgable · 07-19-2002, 07:18 PM

There are no specific changes when either sex has it and yes it is usually covered by insurance. It is considered a for sure thing but yes there have been accidents that occured when tubes accidently grew back together or if a man doesn't get his sperm count checked as ordered but these are not the norm. It is probably easier for the man to have a vasectomy as they do these right at the office but a women having a tubal ligation has to have day surgery. I have had a tubal ligation and things are fine. Perhaps some other posters will offer you more pros or cons of each one.

nicola76 · 07-22-2002, 05:05 AM

In my own personal opinion at 18 both you and your girlfriend are way too young to even consider a permanent form of birth control. You have your whole lives ahead of you! What's the rush to sterilize yourselves?! Why not just use condoms or the pill for several years before taking this drastic measure?

At 19 I was in a long-term relationship and we also said that we didn't want kids. We even talked about one of us getting an operation to guarantee we wouldn't get pregnant. Well the realtionship didn't work out and I'm now 25 (26 in August) and due to be married in Setempber to a wonderful man. We both want children and look forward them so much.

What I'm saying is most of the time what we want at 18 or 19 isn't the same as what we come to want at 25 or 30. What if one of you gets the op done and then 5 or 10 years down the line you decide you want kids? Trust me it happens all the time.

As far as the whole health issue thing goes...well show me a family that doesn't have health problems! My family has arthritis, cancer and health disease but that's not going to scare me out of having children.

All I'm saying is that you and your girlfriend should really think about this. Use condoms and the pill together for at least a couple years and see how your attitudes change.

Take care and best of luck to both of you!

Nic

Kopoli · 07-28-2002, 03:01 AM

Hi there! I had the tubal ligation about a year ago and my insurance covered 90% of the procedure and dr. visits, etc. I ended up paying about $150 bucks for the whole deal. I always knew I didn't want children and I've been with my spouse for 7 years, we both have the same feelings on the subject. I actually wanted the surgery when I was younger but couldn't locate a doctor willing to do it. Anyhow, if you check out family planning you can talk to them about it and give you some better ideas. Hope I helped you out a bit!
-Cheers

Angie E · 07-28-2002, 07:57 AM

Considering your age, you will be very lucky if you find a dr. that will perform the sterilization. Most OBGYN's won't perform them on women unless they have had at least one child and are a minimum of 25 years of age.

Think about this. Let's say, God forbid, something happens to one of you and the other is left alone. Down the road, you may fall in love with someone who wants to have children. And let's say, you have a change of heart and would really love to have a child with this person. What then?

Birth control if used correctly is very effective. No point in doing something this drastic at your age. I believe everyone here on the board who is over the age of 18 will tell you that how you feel now will change drastically in the next 10 years. You will not feel the same about certain things, and this probably being one of them.

[This message has been edited by Angie E (edited 07-28-2002).]