Almost any woman can be sterilised - every year thousands of British couples choose it as their method of contraception. According to the NetDoctor website, about 13 per cent of all UK females of a reproductive age have been sterilised.
Although surgeons are more willing to perform sterilisation for women who are over 30 and who have had children, some younger women who have never had a baby do opt for sterilisation. If you are in a relationship, you and your partner could consider vasectomy. This procedure is simpler, less invasive, and there's a better chance a reversal will be successful if you change your mind in the future.
If you are considering sterilisation - see your GP, who will tell you about the operation and discuss with you the reasons for your decision and any associated risks of the operation. They will strongly recommend counselling before making a referral, whether you already have children or not. The GP will then write a letter to a specialist (usually a gynaecologist at your nearest NHS hospital), referring you for treatment.
However, you may want to try Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) first, such as contraceptive implants and injections, or the coil (IUD) These contraceptive methods are alternatives to the pill or condoms and may be suitable if you don't want to get pregnant in the next few years, but may want to one day.
