I’m 13 and I never want to have kids. Can I get my tubes tied, like my mom did after I was born?
Getting your tubes tied, or sterilization for women, is not a recommended form of birth control for teens. Sterilization is intended to be permanent. It’s not appropriate for anyone who may want to have a child in the future.
Although you may feel strongly that you do not want to have children now, a lot can change in the next several years. Many teens and even young adults cannot imagine having a child. Their feelings may or may not change as they grow up, graduate from school, move out of their family’s home, and go to college or get a job.
Because people so often change their minds about having families, sterilization is usually discouraged for people under 30 who have not had children.
Sterilization is up to 99.9 percent effective. But if you want to prevent pregnancy, there are many birth control options that are nearly as effective — up to 99.7 percent. Talk with your health care provider about which birth control options might be right for you.
If you have more questions about your birth control options, your local Planned Parenthood health center may be able to help.
Tags: birth control, sterilization