Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Common Immediate Side Effects
• Pain at incision site
• Minor swelling of scrotum
• Bleeding or collection of blood (hematoma) in the scrotum
• Bruising or discoloration around incision site.
Advantages of VSC
• Highly effective
• Effective immediately
• Permanent
• Does not interfere with intercourse
• Good for women for whom pregnancy would pose a serious health risk
• Simple surgery usually done under local anesthesia
• No long–term side effects
• No change in sexual function (no effect on hormone production by ovaries or testes)
Disadvantages/Limitations of VSC
• Must be considered permanent (not reversible)
• Woman/man may regret later
• Small risk of complications (during anesthesia or intervention)
• Requires trained physician (gynecology specialist or surgeon)
• Does not protect against STIs and HIV/AIDS
Myths and Facts about Tubal Ligation
Myths and Facts
Myth: After tubal ligation a woman becomes less interested in sex.
Fact: Tubal ligation does not affect normal sexual function in any way. The woman’s
body continues to produce female hormones, and the woman’s sex drive is not changed.
The hormones pass through the blood vessels, which are not affected by the tubal
ligation. Many women enjoy sex even more because they are not worried about getting
pregnant
Myth: Tubal ligation causes early menopause.
Fact: Tubal ligation does not affect menopause in any way. A woman continues having
her monthly periods after tubal ligation, since she still has her uterus and ovaries and still
produces the normal female hormones.
Myth: Tubal ligation makes a woman weak and she can no longer perform her day-today
work.
Fact: Tubal ligation is a very small operation and has no ill effects on the woman’s
health. In fact, her health improves as she does not bear any more children. She can
perform her day-to-day work without any problem.
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 4: FP Methods