Permanent Birth Control

Women First Care
Through every stage of life

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Birth
Control

Contraception
& Planning

Preconceptual
Health

When you are certain you don’t want to become pregnant in the future, you may be ready for permanent birth control. Unlike the pill, patch, diaphragm and IUD, permanent birth control doesn’t require your continued, accurate use. Also unlike those methods, permanent birth control is not reversible.

There are several advantages to permanent birth control. With an effectiveness rate of 98 percent or better, permanent birth control helps you enjoy your sex life when you want, without the need for hormones or the use of barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms. No interruptions and no need to remember to take a pill.

Women First can help you and your partner determine if permanent birth control is right for you and your health, as well as which option may be best for your needs.

What Are Your Options?

Permanent birth control for women involves blocking, tying or cutting the fallopian tubes to prevent eggs from reaching the uterus.

Tubal ligation is often called “getting your tubes tied” for women. Tubal ligation involves cutting, burning or clamping techniques to block the fallopian tubes. This procedure can be done at the time of a C-section without additional incisions, or immediately after vaginal delivery and at any time laparoscopically through small incisions in your abdomen.

Tubal ligation is a procedure in which your fallopian tubes are cut, burned or clamped, which prevents pregnancy by blocking the egg’s path to the uterus. Laparoscopic tubal ligation allows your doctor to reach your fallopian tubes through small incisions in your abdomen. A thin, lighted scope (laparoscope) is used to burn, cut, clamp, suture or remove your tubes. The incisions are closed with a small stitch or tape.

Laparoscopic tubal ligation is an outpatient surgical procedure, which means you’ll likely go home the same day as the procedure. Most women recover within a week. Tubal ligation has the advantage of being effective in preventing pregnancy immediately, with no waiting period or using an alternate form of birth control required.

Tubal ligation is highly effective in preventing pregnancy; depending on which method is used, only 10-15 women out of 1,000 (approximately 1-1.5%) become pregnant within 10 years after the procedure.

Some women choose to have a tubal ligation at the time of delivery. Women who have a cesarean section can have the procedure after delivery through the same incision made for the C-section. Women who have delivered vaginally can have the procedure within hours of delivering. Often, the type of anesthesia used for delivery can be used for the ligation, and recovery time is usually no longer than the hospitalization after delivering your baby.

If you’re choosing a postpartum tubal ligation, it’s important to make that choice well in advance. Papers must be signed 24 hours in advance, so you cannot decide during delivery; however, you can cancel at any time.

Another option for permanent birth control is for your male partner to have a vasectomy. In a vasectomy, the man’s vas deferens, which is the tube that carries sperm from the testes, is tied, cut, and/or sealed, which will prevent sperm from being able to leave the testes. This is an office procedure that doesn’t even require an incision.

A vasectomy is often a more effective method of preventing pregnancy than a tubal ligation in a woman. After the vasectomy, recovery is quick. However, it’s important to use an alternative form of birth control for a few months after the vasectomy, until a test reveals that there are no sperm in your male partner’s semen.

Sexual Health Is an Essential Aspect of Women’s Health

Family planning is an important part of life and allows you to plan ahead for the life and family you want.

Sexual Health is An Essential Aspect to Women’s Health

What People Are Saying

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Lindsey Kaelin
26 October 2026
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Truly one of the best women’s health visits I have ever had! Emily Fountain is so incredible and listened to all of my concerns and offered so many options to me that have NEVER been offered to me by any other healthcare provider before. I felt truly cared for. The staff is amazing and kind and QUICK! And the office is beautifully decorated and clean. I will never go anywhere else ever again!
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Madison Buckner
19 October 2026
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It can be difficult to feel heard when it comes to women’s health, however Dr. Aiken always takes her time & answers question’s thoroughly. Couldn’t recommend her enough!
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Lauren Hayes
25 September 2026
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Ultrasound tech, Emma, was phenomenal! She was so compassionate and took her time to make our experience great. We really appreciate the care she took during our ultrasound.
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Sidney
12 August 2026
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Highly recommend! From the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out, my care was thoughtful, caring, and the furthest thing from feeling dismissed at a doctor’s office. Ellie did a wonderful job making me feel heard, comfortable and validate what I had been experiencing. For a first visit, I left feeling reassured and grateful that I chose this office.
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Charisa McMahon
21 July 2026
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I highly recommend Audrey Fenwick. She truly takes the time to listen and never makes me feel rushed during my appointments. I always feel like my concerns are heard and taken seriously. What I appreciate most is that she’s willing to explore different treatment options rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. She works with me until we find a plan that we’re both comfortable with, and I always leave feeling confident that I’ve received thoughtful, personalized care. It’s refreshing to have a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in helping her patients feel their best.
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Amy Curry
26 June 2026
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Dr. Shannon was a great provider during my last pregnancy with twins! She answered every question I had, kept me in the loop on all the clinical decisions and options I had available, and made me feel safe and heard during all of my interactions with her and her staff. All of the staff at Women’s first always took great care of me and my babies no matter what concern I had at the time.
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Rhonda Eichenberger
20 June 2026
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They are always all so nice and welcoming. I just love Brook McAfee, APRN, she is awesome!
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Robin
12 June 2026
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Dr Grider is the best Doctor. Very thorough, kind and personable!
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Cathy Carter
4 June 2026
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I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the services provided by Dr. Anne L. Oliphant and the staff at Women First of Louisville. Dr. Oliphant and staff exhibit outstanding professionalism, punctuality and courtesy. I highly recommend Dr. Oliphant based on the fact that she is an exceptionally skilled and compassionate physician who truly takes the time to listen to her patients. Throughout my appointments, she and the staff made me feel completely at ease. She thoroughly explained my diagnosis and patiently answered all my questions without ever making me feel rushed. I had to do bloodwork during my last appointment. The clinicians and staff were especially friendly and professional as well. Dr. Oliphant’s, and the staff’s, empathetic bedside manner and clear communication elicit standout medical providers in the specialized field of menopause medicine. I believe that Dr. Oliphant has really listened to my concerns and has taken the time to support my health journey. I highly recommend her and the staff to anyone seeking personalized and highly effective care.
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Nancy Nance
3 June 2026
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I have been a patient here for over 25 years. The best of care for any need I have had ! Simply the best !