Tubal Ligation - Things a Woman Should Know about PTLS

If you have had children, don't want to have any more, and are thinking of having tubal ligation, you need to learn more with regards to Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome or ptls as it is also known. Figures vary concerning how many women suffer the symptoms associated with PTLS. What that means is no one really knows as those figures are not collected. However, knowing about the symptoms and more will help you to make a more informed decision if having this surgery is right for you or not.

There are a variety of different symptoms associated with PTLS. A review of sites on the web will give you lists that range from 34 to 45 or so possible symptoms. The types of tubal ligation side effects that women may suffer include things like cramps, heavier bleeding when menstruating, and lots more pain. Some women have it so bad they literally cannot get out of bed due to the pain. Plus their actual menstrual cycles tend to become irregular, do not happen at all, or most often become even longer.

These symptoms are caused by hormone levels in the woman's body changing due to loss of blood flow to the ovaries. That's one theory, at least. There's another that the actual tubal ligation surgery injures and destroys receptor cells that allow for flow of information. Whatever the right answer, when the connection between the uterus and the ovary is cut, something happens which results in ptls and can happen in up to 35% of women having their tubes tied according to one reference.

For some women, because there is a sudden decrease or cessation of the production of estrogen and hormones in their bodies, this can lead to other issues. Some may find themselves suffering from hormone shock which affects the way their brain works which in turn can lead to suffering from depression, becoming angry or confused, and/or having some memory loss. In fact, clouded thinking is a fairly common symptom which is much like what is suffered when premenopausal.

A further possibility that you should be aware of before choosing to have tubal ligation is that because the ovaries no longer function, the hormones are not produced which protect the body from osteoporosis and heart diseases. Normally these are problems that women usually have to cope with when they begin menopause. Once your tubes are tied, it is something you may have to consider as happening earlier.

Yet not every form of tubal ligation may lead to a woman being a sufferer of Postal Tubal Ligation Syndrome. In fact those women who have their fallopian tubes cauterized rather than clips or rings being used to block their tubes have more chance of developing this syndrome. However, the use of rings and clips doesn't mean you won't suffer from the tubal ligation side effects.

Another thing that also increases the possibility of a woman suffering this syndrome is her age. Women who have this procedure carried out in their 20's have more of a risk of suffering from this condition compared to women in their 30's or 40's who decide to undergo this procedure.

How can ptls be treated? The only real way is to have the tubal ligation procedure reversed. In fact in one small study at a tubal reversal center that is now underway, almost 90% of patients are reporting relief from this syndrome. But it would be better not to go through with having your tubes tied in the first place if you feel that the procedure is just not for you in order to refrain from the possibility of suffering the symptoms yourself.

However, if you have had a tubal ligation, then getting a tubal reversal from the leading tubal surgeon is your best course for relief from ptls. Check out the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal website for more information and a place to share with other women suffering from post tubal ligation syndrome.