Women who are considering having a tubal ligation, or who are considering tubal ligation reversal, may have questions about the possible symptoms of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS). Many will wonder if a tubal ligation reversal will cure PTLS. It is essential that women who have undergone tubal ligation or are considering the sterilization procedures or tubal reversal be on the lookout for the potential signs and symptoms.
Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome occurs in women who have undergone tubal ligation and endometrial ablation (a minor surgical procedure for abnormal bleeding where the uterine lining is destroyed rather than undergoing a complete surgical removal of the uterus). Approximately 6 months to 1 year following their ablation procedure or tubal ligation women may experience cyclic pelvic pain. The pain can be on one or both sides and can be severe.
The symptoms of PTLS (Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome) are the following:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Flushing
- Chills
- Headache
- Racing pulse
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Weight gain
- Change in hair growth pattern and thinning fingernails
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Decreased libido
- Breast tenderness
- Decrease in breast size
- Painful intercourse
- Irregular heavy or light bleeding
- Osteoporosis
- Uterine prolapsed, where the uterus becomes misplaced through the vagina
Although it is not entirely clear what causes PTLS, it is correlated with a previous history of tubal ligation. Some studies have indicated that women who undergo tubal ligation may be at risk factor for hot flashes, chills, night sweats, and other menopause-like symptoms. These changes are thought to be related to changes in estrogen and other hormone production in the ovaries. These changes can lead to loss of normal monthly ovulatory cycles as a result of the change in ovarian hormone production that is thought to occur as a result of tubal sterilization and endometrial ablation.
Depending on a patient’s particular situation, tubal ligation reversal surgery has been considered as a method to reduce the pelvic pain symptoms many women experience after a tubal ligation. For some women, the desire to return to a more normal pattern of menstrual cycles may be reason to consider a tubal reversal. The ligation reversal gives the woman back not only the option to consider pregnancy in the future but also can help relieve the symptoms associated with Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome.
