Ovabloc

Sterilisation works by stopping the egg and the sperm meeting. This is done by closing the fallopian tubes (which carry an egg from the ovary to the womb) in women. A pregnancy is no longer possible.

Ovabloc makes use of a material that offers unique and safe properties. It has been used for other applications in the human body for many decades, and has been used safely for sterilisation purposes for many years.

The material forms a solid in the Fallopian tube, which is accessible via the vagina. It takes its shape in the Fallopian tube as a flexible plug, which remains stable and operational for many years. The plug weighs a mere 0.2 grams so you will not feel its presence. Even after many years, Ovabloc will still be flexible and elastic.


A tube with and without the Ovabloc plug
  
 A comparison between Ovabloc and a laparoscopic sterilisation:

Ovabloc-method	Laparoscopic sterilisation
The closing of the Fallopian tubes by means of a small rubber plug. This plug is inserted using a catheter that accesses the uterus via the vagina.	The closing of the Fallopian tubes through a small operation by means of a band or a clip, or through searing, severing or displacing the fallopian tubes by way of two small incisions in the abdomen.
Outpatient procedure.	Small operation in an operating room.
Sometimes a local anaestesic is used. You can follow the procedure on a monitor.	General anaesthetic.
You can go home straight after the procedure.	Admitted to hospital for at least one day.
Side-effects: stomach-ache and menstrual bleeding.	Side effects: pain in the shoulders, bloodloss and slight abdominal pains.
You can go back to work straight after the treatment.	The first couple of days you cannot go to work.
No wounds, stitches and scars to remind you of the procedure.	This operation will leave you with wounds, stitches and scars.
The chances of getting pregnant are 4-8 in a 1000 women.	The chances of getting pregnant are 2-5 in a 1000 women.
Around 10-15% of women are not eligible for this treatment.	High-risk patients are not eligible for this treatment.
Ovabloc is very difficult to remove. Chances of getting pregnant after having the treatment reversed are very slim.	Major surgery can restore the Fallopian tubes. Chances of getting pregnant after a restoration operation depend on the sterilisation method that was used.
The costs are sometimes covered by a health insurance.	The costs are sometimes covered by a health insurance.
After three months, if the image during the second check-up shows that Ovabloc is correctly placed, you can be sure of its effectiveness.	You can be sure of the effectiveness of a laparoscopic sterilisation immediately.