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How effective is sterilization at preventing pregnancy?
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birth control
A 28-day package of birth control pills.
Sterilization is considered one of the most effective forms of contraception, with a success rate of more than 99 percent in preventing pregnancy.1
These procedures are intended to be permanent and generally irreversible. They function by surgically removing or interrupting the anatomical pathways required for conception:1
- Female Sterilization: Commonly achieved through tubal ligation, which involves blocking or severing the fallopian tubes to prevent the egg from traveling to the uterus.21
- Male Sterilization: Performed via vasectomy, a procedure where the vas deferens is severed or blocked to prevent the transmission of sperm.21
While these methods are highly effective, they are considered permanent. Although some surgical techniques exist to attempt the reversal of sterilization, success rates are limited and not guaranteed.231