| Post tubal ligation syndrome (PTLS) is a term used to | | | | reported an increase in symptoms after tubal ligation |
| describe a variety of symptoms that may occur | | | | reveresal. |
| after a tubal ligation. Symptoms that women | | | | Members of the Tubal Reversal Message Board often |
| frequently report include increased menstrual bleeding | | | | discuss PTLS and how tubal reversal surgery has |
| and cramps, hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, and | | | | helped alleviate symptoms. These women uniformly |
| mood swings. These are thought to be due to | | | | disagree with the concept that symptoms that they |
| changes in hormone levels. One theory about what | | | | have experienced since their tubal ligation are "just in |
| may cause these symptoms after a tubal ligation has | | | | their heads". They are certain that their symptoms |
| to do with interruption of blood circulation between | | | | are not imaginary and are grateful when their |
| the ovaries and uterus that affects the production of | | | | symptoms disappear after tubal reversal surgery. The |
| ovarian hormones. | | | | Message Board members offer encouragement and |
| Doctors differ in their opinions about whether post | | | | support to women who have similar symptoms and |
| tubal symptoms constitutes a true syndrome. It has | | | | feelings and it helps them to realize that they are not |
| been a subject of controversy n the medical | | | | alone. Following are some examples of posts on the |
| literature for decades. Studies have reported | | | | subject of PTLS on the message board. |
| conflicting conclusions about whether these | | | | "I want to say thank you... my PTLS is practically |
| symptoms are more common among women who | | | | gone and gets better ever month. I did not realize |
| have had a tubal sterilization than among women | | | | how bad I was truly feeling until I felt better and I |
| who have not had a sterilization procedure. | | | | thank you. I thank you for 'putting me back together' |
| Women who describe their symptoms are convinced | | | | and for giving me the opportunity to have another |
| that PTLS is real and they argue that doctors should | | | | child." |
| recognize this as a true medical syndrome. Many of | | | | "My name is Rhonda I had the reversal done because |
| these women have been told by doctors that the | | | | of the Post Tubal Syndrome caused by my tubal |
| symptoms they have developed after their tubal | | | | ligation. Although I realize that some people think that |
| ligation could not be related to the surgery and often | | | | this Syndrome doesn't exist, I can tell you that is |
| report that they feel they aren't taken seriously. | | | | does. I am so grateful that I found you and your |
| Some doctors recommend treatment with birth | | | | staff. The results I have had since the reversal |
| control pills, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, | | | | surgery have been tremendous." |
| referral to a psychologist, or even hysterectomy. | | | | Conclusion: Counseling before having a tubal ligation |
| During the past several years, increasing numbers of | | | | rarely includes the possibility of menstrual and other |
| patients have requested tubal lreversal surgery in | | | | symptoms encompassed by the term "post tubal |
| hopes of finding relief from PTLS symptoms. A | | | | ligation syndrome". When women develop problems |
| recent study of 91 women reporting PTLS used a | | | | following female sterilization, they are frequently |
| standardized questionnaire prior to tubal reversal and | | | | informed that their symptoms have nothing to do |
| at 6 month intervals following tubal ligation reversal to | | | | with the tubal ligation procedure. The purpose of this |
| gather statistical data regarding the possible effects | | | | article is to promote awareness of PTLS and the |
| of tubal reversal on PTLS symptoms. The study | | | | possibility that tubal reparative surgery may remedy |
| found that 90% of reported improvement in their | | | | the problems. |
| PTLS symptoms, 8% reported no change, and 2% | | | | |