New VP Directory: Health Care Providers & Sterilization

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Hello, vulva-loving superstars!

Inspired by a member suggestion, we've decided to create a directory of health care providers who are "sterilization friendly," in the style of our already-existent waxing and gynecologist directories.

Because folks seeking to become sterilized can encounter significant opposition and resistance, we thought it would be helpful for them to have access to a directory of health care providers who will consider their wishes respectfully, responsibly, and with an open mind. The plan is for this directory to be linked in the permanent procedures section of our Vulvapedia entry on non-hormonal birth control so that it can serve as a lasting and easily findable resource in the community.

So if you (by yourself or in a relationship) have had a positive experience with tubal ligation, Essure, or vasectomy and a health care provider, please share your story in a comment to this post.

For ease of browsing, please put your city (or metro area) and state/province/country in your subject line. This will let folks find local recommendations more quickly.

We'd also appreciate such details as:

1) Name of the individual or clinic.
2) How he/she/it can be contacted: website, phone number, etc.
3) The specific procedure you had: Some people are only interested in specific sterilization procedures, and regardless, it just helps to know.
4) "Bedside Manner:" How did the consultation(s) go? How comfortable -- physically and mentally -- is a visit to this person? Friendly? Professional?
5) How did you present your reasons for wanting to be sterilized? How did your doctor respond?
6) Age at the time of the consultation & procedure: This info can be especially helpful to younger people seeking such docs.

Of course, you don't have to tell us anything you're not comfortable sharing. And if you'd like to tell us something that's not listed above, you're still very welcome to do so. :)

Thanks!
Tori
For the VP Team
contact_vp

**Standard Legal Disclaimer: Having this post on LJ or on our website does not constitute VP's official endorsement of any/all of the establishments listed. As with everything else VP-related, please use this resource responsibly and with your own discretion!

Comments

Re: Sterilization Query

[marlinkhylacat]

Ah, thanks! That's exactly what I wondered!

Re: Sterilization Query

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Yup, just to expand on what horsegurrrl said, while endometrial ablation is often combined with a sterilization procedure and while it can certainly lessen the chances of pregnancy, it is not, by itself, considered a sterilization procedure. This pamphlet (http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp134.cfm) from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explains:

"Most women are not able to get pregnant after ablation. Thus, if you may want to become pregnant, you should not have endometrial ablation. Although pregnancy is not likely after ablation, you should keep using some form of birth control until after menopause. You also may want to think about sterilization as an option to prevent pregnancy."

And the NovaSure (http://www.novasure.com/irregular-period/heavy-bleeding.cfm) (one type of ablation procedure) website cautions:

"It is important to know that although the chances for pregnancy are reduced following an endometrial ablation procedure, it is still possible to become pregnant.

However, pregnancy following endometrial ablation is very dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. You should not have an endometrial ablation if you think you want to have a baby in the future. After an endometrial ablation, you should use some form of birth control. Please discuss these issues with your physician."

Sorry for the novel; I loves me my Internet research. ;)