Contraception and Sterilization

If someone told the average citizen they had to undergo a psychiatric exam before reproducing, there would be a major revolution against such a blatant attempt to limit their rights. Yet every day countless people who are certain they do not want to reproduce are told they can't have a tubal ligation or vasectomy unless they:

Get married
Bring in their mate to discuss the decision
Wait till they are older, if now young
Have a psychiatric exam
Wait till they have at least one child

I well recall my own struggle with this issue. I knew I didn't want children from a very young age; therefore, before I ever had an intimate relationship, I began taking birth control pills. This was in the early 70s, and since my fiance and I were in agreement on not having children, I found it relatively easy to find a doctor who prescribed birth control pills. And I do know I'm lucky to be living in a time and place where I have birth control choices.

However, as the years went by and I remained determined not to have any children, I began to ask about having a tubal ligation. I mentioned this to several doctors and not a single one would agree to perform the sterilization. During those years, I also began to manifest a dormant genetic problem that made me quite ill, and required surgery. Eventually this was brought under control, but it was another reason I didn't want children. And yet, even with this problem (which can be life-threatening if pregnant), I couldn't find a doctor in my mid-twenties who would agree to do a tubal ligation.

Finally at the age of twenty-eight, I developed slightly elevated blood pressure and one of my doctors thought this might be due to taking birth control pills. Upon learning this news, I forced the issue of sterilization, and at the age of twenty-nine, was able at last to get a tubal. Certainly, my husband could have tried to get a vasectomy (it's no easier for a man to convince a doctor to perform sterilization than it is a woman) but I preferred to have it done for control over my body -- the only way to be sure that I wouldn't someday face the problem all over again, should something happen to my husband or our marriage end. And contrary to what some may think, afterward I was not depressed, instead elated it was something I didn't have to worry about anymore. I found it a liberating experience, and have never had any regrets.

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