Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Voluntary Surgical Contraception
Explain that VSC is provided by high-trained health professionals in hospitals.
Who Can Use VSC
• A man or a woman who is fully informed and is absolutely certain that s/he wants
no more children
• Women who have a health condition which makes pregnancy very risky.
These are permanent, irreversible methods. They are safe and relatively free of side
effects. Once the couple completes the size of its family, the man or the woman may
opt for permanent contraception.
Types of VSC
• Female Sterilization or Tubal Ligation for women
• Male Sterilization or Vasectomy for men
Both are minor operations, generally performed by injecting local anesthesia at the site
of operation. Vasectomies are relatively simpler, safer, and less expensive than tubal
ligation.
Effectiveness
Is very high and depends on the surgical technique: less than 1 pregnancy per 200
women during the first year of use.
Common Immediate Side Effects
• Pain at incision site
• Minor swelling near operation site
• Bruising or discoloration around incision site.
• Bleeding or collection of blood (hematoma) in the scrotum (vasectomy)
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 4: FP Methods