Emerging trends in female permanent contraception

Abstract

Choices for family planning have increased since the availability of postpartum tubal ligation. Hysteroscopic tubal occlusion is set to become the method of choice for interval sterilization. However, hormonal contraception has proven to bring substantial additional benefits, such as reduced menstrual discomfort and treatment of hyperandrogenism among the most noted. Arguably, the back-to-back use of long-acting hormonal contraceptives, such as the intrauterine delivery systems, can be considered to be ‘permanent’ contraceptive alternatives to surgical sterilization. For surgical sterilization to become an attractive alternative, there is a tendency to combine sterilization with other procedures, such as endometrial ablation. The current geo-political climate is unfavorable with regards to family planning, and the antagonism between religion and the state continues to flare with every debate on the subject of contraception.