Female sterilization is a permanent procedure to prevent pregnancy. It works by blocking the fallopian tubes.

When women choose not to have children, sterilization can be a good option. It’s a slightly more complex and expensive procedure than male sterilization (vasectomy).

According to a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source, approximately 27 percent of American women of reproductive age use female sterilization as their form of birth control. This is equivalent to 10.2 million women.

This survey also found that black women were more likely to use female sterilization (37 percent) than white women (24 percent) and U.S.-born Hispanic women (27 percent).

Female sterilization is most common in developing countries. Women ages 40–44 years are more likely than all other age groups to use female sterilization, with 51 percentTrusted Source choosing it as their primary birth control method.

Female sterilisation is an operation to permanently prevent pregnancy. The fallopian tubes are blocked or sealed to prevent the eggs reaching the sperm and becoming fertilised.