Experience with Tubal Ligation, "Essure" or Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome???

Hi Jamie,
I had a tubal just over a year ago after my second baby was born via C-section #2.
My periods are clumpier and a little heavier then before but it's not getting in the way of my life. It's hard to tell if the change is from the tubal, from back to back babies, getting older (I am in my mid 30's) or if it's genetic. My mother had a REALLY hard time with fibroids and really heavy periods so this might be my destiny!
My husband was totally willing to go under the knife but since they were already in there it was just a little snip and it was done!! No ice packs for the hubby! It really is not that invasive for a man to get snipped. Any chance that you can convice your guy to do it?
This really was the best decision for me and my family. I was not good at taking the pill (that is how #1 baby came along!) and it's nice to not have to worry about birth control.
Best of luck to you...
MB

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Had my tubes tied after my last c-section as I am also a fertile Myrtle, and so far so good! I am also elated to not have that added stress of wondering if.....Good luck w/your decision, I've been more than thrilled with mine.

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Hi J., I have had my tubal for almost two years now. I had three c-sections and was done, done, done having kids. :) Anyhoo, I had reservations going into it and then after I read all the info on the "syndrome". I totally freeked myself out and wondered if I had made a horrible decision. HOWEVER, after two years, I don't even notice a difference. It seems to be no big deal.
Good Luck!
A.

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Hi J., I had a tubal about 14 yrs. ago I have had no problems in fact it is so nice not having to worry about remembering birth control pills or putting foreign objects in your body. I have noticed some changes in my periods but I think it might be from getting older I'm in the late 30's.

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Talk with your ob-gyn, bring the info that you have found on line and talk about your concerns. Attitude is everything is everything when it comes to surgeries. The best of physicians and procedures can run afoul if the patient doesn't have a good attitude or faith in those who are treating them. Get all your questions answered. Realize too, that people who have problems are more likely to blog or post their trials and tribulations over a procedure than those who have had great success. They want to make sure that no one experiences the downsides that they have. Not very many go online and sing the praises of their docs and care providers for the excellent outcomes because we expect only excellent outcomes. I'm not saying to poo-poo their experiences and postings, but keep in mind that they are a very small segment of all the tubal ligations that have been performed over the years. You have the patience of Job to have 6 children and you're not 30 yet!!! You are blessed with an undying amount of stamina. Whenever, whatever you decide to do, take care. Your spouse and those six scrumptious bundles of love will insure your speedy recovery!!!

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J.~
I've never heard of post tubal ligation syndrome, but maybe that's what I experienced? I never had a problem with periods, pms or any of that stuff until AFTER I had my tubal. I just had cramps in my lower back instead instead of in front since I had started my period, but nothing that was intolerable. However, after baby #3, we decided that was plenty and figured that since I was already going to be on the operating table (3rd C-section) and it was only going to take about another minute, I should go ahead and get it done. I, too was a fertile Myrtle! I knew my oldest sister's periods had progressively gotten worse after her tubal, but she said it wasn't horrible and that since she's diabetic, it really was better for her. I knew it would be better for me too, because my uterus got progressively thinner with each pregnancy. We produce huge babies for my tall, but small frame. I was fine for the first six to nine months after the tubal and the fact that I didn't have to worry about getting pregnant made sex much better, too. (That might be the bonus they don't tell you about!) But then...it pretty much went to Hell in a handbasket. I still never suffered much pms, but my periods!...Oh..my..God! They were horrible! I felt sick and headachy most of the first two days, it physically wore me out, could feel the clots coming down the 'canal' and they seemed like they were sometimes the size of large apples. I can even remember holding up my family because I could feel the clots coming down and wanted to sit on the toilet until they came out. TMI? Perhaps.
I talked to my doctor often about it and HE just always said that I was older now and periods, etc. tend to get worse as we age. Of course, he had never had a period, a baby or a tubal. And since he was an OBGYN and there was no evidence that tubals caused any problems...
I can almost understand that periods might get worse as we age (although my mother never went through what I went through) but I know it wasn't just aging in my case, as I was older after I had my second than when I had my first and my periods were the same as they had always been...easy.
To make a long story a bit longer, my last child was born in May of 1994 and in June of 2003 I could take it no longer and had a hysterectomy. That's just my story...I will tell you that I do know woman who have had tubals and have experienced no problems what-so-ever. I think it's a crap shoot, kind of like a game of chance. If you're done having children, I'd probably say roll the dice and have the tubal and if you go through anything like I did, (I'm sure mine is an extreme case) you can always have a hysterectomy later. I know elective surgery like that sounds harsh, but there's an up side to that-no worries about uterine, cervical or ovarian cancer (often referred to as silent killers) and for me, no more awful periods every 28 days! That was good for my husband, as well, because we have three daughters and he often called our house Bill's House of Hormones.
Good luck to you, J.!

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I had one 3 years ago and have had no ill effects. All is great!!!

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Dear J.,

I am a much older than you mother of four, ranging in age from 5-20. I had a tubal with the birth of my fourth, never had any issues and don't regret it for two seconds! Last year my husband passed away and all I can say is that I feel blessed each and every day I spend with my four...and I know I couldn't handle more (we also lost one). They look at me everyday with their fathers eyes and play jokes on me daily just like dear old dad. Again, I can't stress enough, I had no side effects except relief, joy and FREEDOM from worry. Six is a huge responsibility and you are so young. Do it!

D. P.

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Hi J.,

I had a tubal during my c-section with my 3rd. There was no doubt in my mind I was done having kids and since the Dr was already going to be in there I decided to have the tubal. I was a little nervous about the PTLS as well because all I could find on line was the negative stuff. My Dr said the same thing yours did. He said that women have been so used to being on Birth Control or pregnant that they forget what it is like to have regular periods and PMS and all that dreadful stuff so they think it is related to the Tubal.
I had my tubal in September and have had 2 periods. The first one was a little crampy, not suprised because I had only had maybe 3 or 4 since the birth of my first child. My second period I had no cramping, very little bloating and very little PMS moodiness stuff. So I have had a great experience. It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I love not having to think about BC. I think a lot of the women who are having a hard time with it are the ones that felt pressure to do it or were not 100% sure they wanted to do it. If you have any doubts about it I would not do it but if you are ready to be done having babies (you are a SAINT, by the way) then go for it! I would probably do the tubal rather than the essure procedure. Good Luck!
R.

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I had my tubal when I delivered MY #6 almost a year ago. Thought it would NOT be a big deal. And until 2 months ago..it wasnt. Then ..I started having some spotting after my period ended. I have always been normal..never ever had spotting. A friend suggested that it was because I was weaning my son. First..I have weaned 5 others..it didnt happen...and..I am weaning his so gradually...it just cant be from that. I TOO have been researching online...and have found some odd symptoms. Now I wish I didnt...if for some reason next month. I am back to normal..and all seems fine. Then ..yeah...but at this very moment..I am NOT loving the "wondering why I am spotting" thingy. I dont want to talk you INTO it ..or OUT of it. I just suggest you keep researching so you can make an educated decision..AND...also check into whats best...getting cauterized too, clamps or tied??? I had clamps..and no cauterizing...SO...there could be different options with different outcomes.

Good luck!

Congrats on your 6 blessings...I would have TONS more..if I didnt have to be pregnant..I HATE that part!! I was VERY sick with my last..and always sick with the others.

J. :)

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I had a tubal when my third child was 6 mos. old. It was so easy and not painful at all. I have not had any probems at all. Recovery was nothing, I was up and about right away.
I have had heavy periods and cramps since then but I was also 40, your body changes at this time. You have to be careful what you read on the internet, it's full of horror stories.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.

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I had this, had my tubes reversed! It is a real thing, it is very painful and can deeply effect your life. Please rethink this. Also at your age one in four women will regret having a TL. Crap happens, divorces, and children do die. If you feel you must , then have them use clips only, no burning of the tubes, it does less damage. The essure is very destructive and causes scar tissue to form, which is painful!!! I know 100's of women that know PTLS is real.

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Dear Jamie,
I had a tubal when I was 29 and no problem other than
I was hurting and couldn't lift for about a month. As I only had 2 children, later on I would have like to have another.
Sounds like you have a large lovely family. Mine was a vaginal incision. I will say a prayer for you. Sincerely, S.

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I just had a tubal done after my second child was born just six weeks ago, so I can't say much about effects, as I haven't even had a period yet. I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't do much research before having it done. When my doc said he could do the procedure while I was opened up for the C-section, I said "go for it!" My husband and I knew that 2 was our limit, financially and emotionally. I guess I just accepted it because my mother had a tubal after my younger sister was born and never had any complications, her menopause arrived in her late 40's-early 50's. I agree with some of the others that have posted, that if this is in fact a syndrome (and I did read into it after reading your request) it is rare. You could likely look up any common medical procedure and find people that have had negative experiences and miserable side effects. No surgery is without risk. That said, is the small risk worth it not have any more children? I don't question my choice. I know that this is a personal choice and therefore can't say what you should do, and wish you luck no matter what route you decide to take :)

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Hi J.!
I had to look up "post tubal ligation syndrome", and I've gotta say that I had/HAVE almost all of those symptoms, still (after 20 years).
I think that the MAIN reason for all of these symptoms is because, except for when I was a young teen, I was ALWAYS on some sort of birth control. AFTER I had my tubal
(since I had a c-sect. in a Catholic hospital, I was forced to do the tubal in another place, 3 months later :( ) I didn't "need" birth control anymore, so I suffered greatly. But I don't think that it was because of the tubal. OF COURSE, we have altered the way that nature made us, by having a tubal, but all of those symptoms come ONLY because it is what we were actually born with.
Eventually, I ended up taking low dose birth control pills, with equal amounts of progestin and estrogin (after trying out numerous types, each type for 6 months to see if the effects were better for me), and I stayed on those pills till I turned 40. Because I am fat, over 40, and I smoke, I am considered a high risk patient for BCP's--because of the possibility of stroke or thrombosis. SO, no more BCP, and I just take 800 mg of ibuprofin at a time, every 8-12 hours when I feel horrible, and that works pretty well, MOST of the time. I need to stop smoking and lose weight, and then I could take BCP's again, but I suppose everyone has their priorities.
I wouldn't take "the syndrome" too much to heart. You are what you are, and if you alter what nature has created, of course "things" will be a bit different, but, only YOU can decide if you're willing to have a tubal, and go "back to how you were" or not. What I wrote is just one person's experience, but it seems to me that you ARE making an well informed decision, and 6 kids is AWESOME...I had to STOP after I made two of my own...my own questions for me were:
#1. As a single parent, can I actually afford to have more children? ANSWER: NO
#2.If I had another child, they would have another last name, meaning, there would be a "third daddy" in my children's life, do I REALLLY want to put them through THAT again?? ANSWER: NO
#3. In the end, no matter how much I LOVE my children, would it be right to put them (a prospective child to be) through what my children, now, have gone through (I had a drug abusing, physically abusive husband, and knew of no way out at the time)? ANSWER: NO NO NO
**SO, I got the tubal.
Everyone has different reason for getting this done. Just make sure that you are doing this for your own right reasons, not for anyone else.
Love to you~
R.

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I had my tubes tied a couple years after my 2nd was born - She is now 16.

We decided 2 was enough for us & I was having problems with other forms of birth control.
The pill was making me very moody.
I had an IUD - it was making my tummy bulge out because it was irritating my uterus.

I had no complications with the ligation surgery - & don't regret it at all!
I've never heard of any post tubal ligation syndrome - but my doctor did tell me to make sure it was what I wanted because reversal is difficult and not always successful.

I believe it's a very smart & responsible decision. Six is definately a full house - I applaud you for your bravery & patience!

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I read some of the same stuff..... I had a tubal the morning after I delivered my 4th child. No problems no complications no changes in my menstrual cycle or length of period etc. Glad I did it!!

Did it for the same reasons you did - 4 kids 2 surprises all 14 months apart.... YIKES - I would be pregnant right now if I had not done it after the last one.

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