Many women decide on post tubal ligation, or getting the fallopian tubes tied, as a means of birth control. However, sometimes complications arise during surgery resulting in decreased blood flow to the ovaries. This may compromise hormone function and lead to a condition known as post tubal ligation syndrome.
Tubal ligation, also known as "getting your tubes tied," is a medical procedure that prevents pregnancy. During the procedure, the fallopian tubes that lead to the ovaries in the uterus are tied off. This makes sperm unable to reach the ovaries and fertilize the eggs.
Unfortunately, many women develop post tubal ligation syndrome after a tubal ligation. The condition, often resulting from a rapid decline in estrogen or testosterone hormone levels, may result from damage done to the ovaries during the surgery. Often, the vein and capillary damage encountered during the surgery results in a decrease in blood volume to your ovaries. Sometimes blood flow is completely eliminated, as occurs during a hysterectomy. This is often referred to as isolated ovarian syndrome.
Many of the symptoms of post tubal ligation syndrome are the same as encountered when suffering from Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, menopause, and hormone imbalance. Where the uterus muscle and tissue are damaged during the procedure, other symptoms may manifest. This type of uterine damage, referred to as adenomyosis, is associated with heavy, painful menses. The pain could also be the result of bleeding within the sealed fallopian tubes.
There are also other theories about post tubal ligation syndrome. One such theory is that either the target or receptor cells forming part of your hormonal messaging system become compromised during the surgery. These cells, found in your fallopian tubes, send chemical messengers to various parts of your body. They encourage myriad body functions that become compromised when post tubal ligation syndrome develops.
Tubal ligation is a permanent method of stopping pregnancy in most women. According to statistics, only one out of every 200 women who have undergone the surgery become pregnant. The surgery also does not have the side effects commonly associated with other means of contraception. For example, the birth control pill is associated with headaches, mood swings, and weight gain while IUDs may cause bad cramping, heavy periods, or spotting.
When something goes wrong during the surgery and post tubal ligation syndrome develops, things may not be so bright. You may develop one or more health issues. Some of these issues include:
These compromised hormone functions and the associated health issues may also be linked to adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue shares many of the post tubal ligation syndrome symptoms. The symptoms associated with post tubal ligation syndrome include:
HeadachesPost tubal ligation syndrome often goes undiagnosed. Often, the symptoms are addressed but not the underlying cause. You may receive medications for depression or allergies, for example, even though hormone imbalance might be the cause. Hormone testing in women under 40 is uncommon.
Ultimately, a prolonged hormone imbalance may affect your physical health or present as symptoms of mental issues or even Alzheimer’s disease.
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis regulates your adrenal glands, while your Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis regulates your ovarian hormones. The end organs of these axes, the adrenals, hypothalamus, and ovaries, produce a variety of hormones affecting various other body systems. Each of these end organs is also tied into other organ systems by means of hormones acting as chemical messengers. One such hormonal networks is the Ovarian-Adrenal-Thyroid (OAT) axis.
The three organs of the OAT axis work interdependently to ensure proper function. A problem in one of these organs, as can be caused post tubal ligation, affects the function of the other two organs. For example, compromised ovarian function may affect thyroid function, resulting in symptoms relating to thyroid issues while in fact, the problem is with the ovaries. This applies to any of the three end organs mentioned.
An OAT imbalance may lead to a number of health issues that may range from annoying to severe. These symptoms, often not correctly interpreted, may result in those in the medical field addressing a condition that is a symptom of an OAT imbalance while not addressing the root cause of the problem.
The symptoms associated with an OAT imbalance are often suggestive of estrogen dominance, thyroid issues, and Adrenal Fatigue.
Often, an OAT imbalance may worsen Adrenal Fatigue or cause stressors leading to the condition. Common Adrenal Fatigue stressors include, for example, depression and too little sleep, which may result from post tubal ligation syndrome. The symptoms associated with Adrenal Fatigue include the majority of those experienced with post tubal ligation syndrome
Many women opt to have the surgery reversed. This is entirely possible. Another possibility is to have a hysterectomy that removes your uterus and cervix. You cannot reverse this procedure. Another is hormone therapy. If you feel you need the latter, please first speak to a healthcare professional who can advise you on the need, type, and dosage required.
In cases of heavy bleeding, a uterine ablation may work. The procedure may lighten or even stop bleeding altogether. This procedure sometimes has a set of side-effects.
There are also less invasive ways to help manage symptoms. These include making use of natural remedies and making changes to your diet. Make sure to check with your doctor before starting any of these natural remedies.
Try following a diet high in fiber, fresh fruits, and vegetables while drinking a lot of fluids. Also, ensure you get enough Omega-3 fatty acids and consider a multivitamin. Try avoiding processed foods or foods plied with chemicals. Organic foods may be the best choice.The symptoms and health issues associated with post tubal ligation syndrome are vast and varied. Those in the medical field often address the symptoms without addressing the root cause. Many of the symptoms associated with the condition are also related to iron deficiency, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other issues.
In order to ascertain the cause of your hormonal imbalance, or whether you have one, it is important to have the correct tests done. Those in the medical profession often overlook a hormonal imbalance as the cause of a health condition in younger women, believing they are too young to have such a problem. A proper serum check should help identify your underlying issue.
Please remember that suffering from anemia, hypothyroidism, or even diabetes does not mean a hormone imbalance is not also present. Likewise, a hormone imbalance may also still be present if your thyroid, iron, and insulin levels are fine.
The many symptoms of post tubal ligation syndrome have debilitating potential. If you feel you need to take some form of hormone replacement, it is essential to first talk to your healthcare professional. There are many different types of hormones and different types of hormone replacement options. You need the right type for you. Getting the wrong type or combination of hormone replacement can cause serious side-effects, including cancer.
Getting informed about the causes of hormone imbalance and what you can do to address these issues is probably the best step you can take to manage symptoms associated with post tubal ligation syndrome.
Don't let Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome hold you back. Take the first step toward relief by giving us a call at +1 (626) 571-1234 for a free initial consultation. Our expert team is here to listen, guide, and help you find the best path forward to restore your health and vitality.
© Copyright 2021 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
To put it bluntly, yes, post tubal ligation syndrome is real. The condition may develop due to ovarian, vein, or capillary damage during surgery. Identifying the syndrome may be difficult because symptoms are often varied in nature. The most common symptoms relate to those of a hormone imbalance.
