Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Mental And Emotional Impact.

Women suffering from PTLS don't just have the physical symptoms to cope with on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This condition has a very real emotional and mental impact on a woman too.

If, like me, their doctors told them that their symptoms "were all in their heads", then they're going to feel anger, confusion and upset too. At worst, they may think they're starting to "go crazy." Being told that our pain is nothing and that it's not real is intolerable for those of us who feel it every single day. That's not real? I think it is.

I've received so many comments from women who have told me heartbreaking stories of what they've suffered since their tubals. Stories of being dismissed by their doctors, stories of feeling like the entire world is against them, stories of the symptoms interfering in their relationships with their spouses, stories of hormonal fluctuations causing extreme PMS, stories of being put on ant depressants in an effort to "shut women up" and many many other different situations. I am grateful to every single woman who has left me a comment on my post about my own personal experience, and I want every single one of them to know that they are not alone!

I would like to reiterate that if any woman feels like this, do not hesitate to leave a comment here. As a fellow sufferer I feel your pain, and I understand where you're at. I will not tell you that this is imaginary, or that it's all in your head. However, I will tell you to stand strong in your beliefs and don't give up. PTLS is slowly being recognized by more medical professionals, and my hope is that soon, it won't be dismissed as imaginary any more.

We deserve to know the truth about PTLS before we make the decision to have a Tubal Ligation procedure done, and we deserve the right to treatment for PTLS without having to endure the comments from doctors that it's not real. We also deserve the right to have treatment for PTLS without having to pay thousands of dollars out of our own pockets. This is a real condition, and we deserve the right to have it recognized as such! The emotional and mental suffering can be as bad, if not worse, than the physical symptoms, and it has to stop.

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posted by PTLS Sufferer at 11:47 PM

39 Comments:

After my tubal ligation two years ago. I had my periods weird and also i had a decrease in sex.I tell everyone this but they say its all in your head its mental i have no support. My husband he thinks that its mental as well. I dont feel the same and feel depressed and like something is missing from my life.I will like to have more children in the future as well.I regret doing the tl. And am only 25 years old.And I have two kids 2 years old and 6 years old.

September 5, 2010 at 9:36 AM  

I was horriable talked into a tubal ligation when I was 21 married with 2 kids The doctor asked me.very shortly before the baby was due (like a few weeks) and that was the only form of birth control discussed Of course being a hormonial pregnant 21 yr old I said yes after having the baby right out side the or room I started to cry and did not want to go through with the procedure It was just me and the dr. though and he talked me into not changing my mind None of the after symptoms were discussed with me before hand and now I suffer from ptls @ 26 on top of everything else my husband passed 6 months after my tubial snd the birth of our beautiful daughter my husband.died is there anything I can do I just want a reversal to fix my horriable symptoms email me with answers Hopelessly Helpless cheshire0069@yahoo.com

January 6, 2011 at 10:27 AM  

I had a tubal @ 25 after the premature birth of my 4th child. I was forced into it. I am now 30 and suffer from PTLS. I have Illinois public aid for my insurance and live on SSI. There is no way I can afford a reversal but DESPERATELY want one so I dont have to suffer any more. If anyone knows of anyone that can help please let me know. Degenerationxer2008@yahoo.com

March 20, 2011 at 9:29 PM  

Im 30 and have three children. I had a tubal after my daughter and I noticed heavy periods. I brushed it off as just getting older, but then began having other symptoms. Lately Ive been have horrible mood swings and I was beginning to think I was crazy. Im afraid Ill never be diagnosed because I have medicaid.

April 6, 2011 at 4:27 PM  

I'm a 31 year old mother of 4. I had my tubal done right after the birth of my last child (09/09). About 9 months after having the tubal, my body started getting out of whack, both physically and emotionally. Some of the symptoms were so severe that I thought I was pregnant. After doing research I happened upon PTLS, and I'm glad I did; I was beginning to think I was crazy. The unfortunate thing is that we as women are suffering because we're women. If this was something effecting men (especially something that effects libidoz), research would have been done a LONG time ago.

June 23, 2011 at 11:12 AM  

I had a tubal (clamps) in September of 2010 right after the birth of my second child. I have been ignoring all my 'symptoms' until more recently. It's been almost a year. Having a baby can wreak havoc on a woman's body, but this is getting to be ridiculous. I didn't even know that Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome was a possibility but looking over the list of 34 symptoms it sounds like this is the most likely diagnosis for what has been happening to me. I'm calling my OBGYN on Monday.

August 5, 2011 at 7:04 PM  

I chose my TL as a last resort after a 7 year battle with allergic reactions to normal BC. Since then I have had one GYN claim I'm suffering from menopause, another hypothyroidism, another prepared scans for a tubal pregnancy, I have seen a family physician that told me I had pain in my neck due to tendon and muscle weakness, then from a different doctor that I may have carpel tunnel. I have so many symptoms that I only get 4 days a month to try and feel normal. My kids r suffering, my hot flashes make me too hot to sit next to. My poor two year old doesn't get the attention she needs. Not even to mention the anxiety and depression. I scream at my kids sometimes then have no recollection of even doing it. The depression has started heavy on the suicidal thoughts and I'm just afraid I can't save the money to get it reversed in time. This was by far the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I look in the mirror and can not recognize my reflection. If anyone has any home remedies to help the side effects for now. I'm desperate.

November 14, 2011 at 10:16 PM  

Has anyone tried birth control pills to help with regulating hormones? I am a suffering PTLS women and can not afford the reversal. a friend mentioned trying the pill to help with hormone balance and heavy periods.......anyone?

January 16, 2012 at 9:18 PM  

Has anyone tried birth control pills to help with regulating hormones? I am a suffering PTLS women and can not afford the reversal. a friend mentioned trying the pill to help with hormone balance and heavy periods.......anyone?

January 16, 2012 at 9:19 PM  

I think I may have this! This is all new to me. I had my tubal ligation 2months ago in November and I just started my cycle 2days ago and it is horrible! I got online last nite and Googled "Heavy menstrual cycle" and this is what i came up with PTLS. I need help, I don't know what to do. About to go to the ER if I can't hold out til Monday. I can't control this bleeding.

January 21, 2012 at 10:56 AM  

I am 35 and had a tl after my second child at 29. Since then I have experienced many of the symptoms on the list. I have gone to a few different dr where I have been prescribed the pill, anti depressents or completely dismissed because my hormones according to them were normal... I am lucky that my husband has been really understanding. I just looked this up as I had no idea this existed nor was it in anything I read about back in 04 when I decided to get the tl. I have an appt with a dr but can't get in until june. I absolutely do not want any more children so hope I will have a couple options.

April 23, 2012 at 4:26 PM  

I'm 40 and had a TL about 8 years ago. Began paying attention to symptoms of PTLS a few years ago but dismissed them, didn't want to admit something was wrong. It's now unbearable and I'm no longer able to pretend everything's ok. I can't sleep, have most symptoms listed. This is a nightmare. Not sure what I can do if anything. Anyone who reads this and is considering a TL, please don't do it.

June 25, 2012 at 3:47 AM  

Hi everyone i am only 22 and just got my tubes tied about 2 weeks ago, i was bleeding right when i woke up( was never told that) then now i cry all the time, get super dizzy were i lose my vision completely, i was 90lbs when i got it done and now im gaining weight very fast, i have no urge to want to have sex with my husband, i just pour sweat and it stinks.. I was already depressed before i had the procedure due to complications with my daughter and her being special needs but now i don't even want to get out of bed and do anything.. I just dont know what to do.. I really hope im not already going thru menapose..

November 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM  

I got my tubes tied 15 and a half months ago right after I had my son. If only I would of known then what I know now. As I was being pushed into surgery, I thought about changing my mind. But I proceeded. I didn't want to be put to sleep, as I was scared. So they gave me a spinal, which didn't work. I felt it all and it hurt bad! Having the tubal was the worse mistake of my entire life. I went thru post partum depression which later turned into very deep depression. I didnt want to take meds because I wanted to be able to nurse my son, as I knew that was best for him. So I fought the depression everyday and hated waking up each day to this horrible depression. When my son was 7 months old, I finally decided to go get on meds. I was attached to my son and held him constantly. I couldn't put him down. I knew he was my last baby and I wanted to cherish every moment. During this whole time, I was pushing my husband away. I couldn't stand being around him and the word "sex" just turned my stomach. My son and I slept on the couch for 8 months. I felt so bad for my husband. I didn't know what to do and I cried a lot because I was confused. My life has been in shuffle mode ever since my son was born. My husband and I have been separated for 3 months now and things still don't seem to be getting any better. If I could only turn back the time...
I would like to share my email address with anyone that may be having a hard time or dealing with similar issues and would like someone to talk to: kiva_green@yahoo.com
Your prayers would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks and God Bless!!

November 17, 2012 at 3:54 PM  

I had my TL on sept 2011. I just will say that my life is not the same. I remember told my husband crying that I was felling so mad and upset without any reason and I was feeling just a piece of meat. No feelings and I dont know why, because he love me and i love him, that was somenthing lost. No conections, no emotions. Somenthing that I notice is that smell of some perfums don't bring me memories how use to. Or when I hear music i dont had the same filling. My sex drive is gone. Evil thougs. Lost my hair, cramps, memory lost,diziness,dificult to focosing,sad and blue with that felling that this person is not me! I lost my adventure spirit too. SO SAD. NOW IM ON MY OBG OFFICE AND LOOKING REVERSE IT.

December 18, 2012 at 7:37 AM  

I don't know why, because he really like me and i really like him, that was somenthing lost.
tubal reversal

May 2, 2013 at 5:56 AM  

Thank you so much for all sharing your stories. i have booked with a gyn for a tubal ligation and now feel very unsure. Not the regret of the decision, but the side effect possibilities.
Anyway, thank you beautiful women. I hope you find ease to your circumstances.

July 8, 2013 at 4:17 AM  

To know there are others is like a weight lifted off my shoulders. My mom has called it post partum depression (mind you, after my first two I bounced back the day they were born). Others have called it stress because two of my children suffer from severe allergies. (Again, mind you, I will find myself crying in the middle of the day when all is stillness) I have an amazing husband and LIFE compared to the hell I went through 8.5 years ago so there is no reason for this sadness. Low libido, ect. I could go on and on, but over the past 18 months I have learned to suffer in silence rather than be laughed at.

July 23, 2013 at 4:58 PM  

I had my tubal done 3 years ago and am beyond miserable. I am tired and dizzy all the time, my legs and arms hurt horribly, my period is every 3 weeks, I bleed heavily for about 6-7 days lots of clots, my lips burn (?), I am getting chin hair, non existent sex drive, irregular heartbeats, hot flashes, SEVERE cramps (I would rather go through labor kind), and moodiness. I feel like I'm walking in a fog half the time. I am only 26 years old and feel 90. I just want to be "me" again! I have gained an extreme amount of weight since I have had this done, and cannot lose it. I was never told by my doctor that this was a possible side effect or I would never have done it.

September 21, 2013 at 5:37 PM  

I had my tubal done 3 years ago and am beyond miserable. I am tired and dizzy all the time, my legs and arms hurt horribly, my period is every 3 weeks, I bleed heavily for about 6-7 days lots of clots, my lips burn (?), I am getting chin hair, non existent sex drive, irregular heartbeats, hot flashes, SEVERE cramps (I would rather go through labor kind), and moodiness. I feel like I'm walking in a fog half the time. I am only 26 years old and feel 90. I just want to be "me" again! I have gained an extreme amount of weight since I have had this done, and cannot lose it. I was never told by my doctor that this was a possible side effect or I would never have done it.

September 21, 2013 at 5:37 PM  

I had my tubal last month in September and just this past week i have been feeling nauseated at random times almost like i am pregnant again. The worse was last weekend i was in the grocery store and broke into a cold sweat along with the nausea. I almost fainted and had to hold onto a counter. it was scary because i am all around healthy and i was thinking of all sorts of things that could be wrong. Never did i consider this ptls.

October 28, 2013 at 11:34 AM  

I have been dealing with this for 4 years being told I was depressed to I have lupus ... Every symptom you have and more, the pain, memory loss, bleeding, dizziness , it gos on ... I always say I want me back... My kids are sufforing , I feel like I have no life left in me and I'm only 31

January 27, 2014 at 9:25 AM  

Well thank you. I've been feeling like I'm going crazy and everyone around me is beginning to think I have munchausens. I'm 30yrs old and have four children. The two years since my tubal has been what I can only describe as "a downward spiral" in my heath. I swear it seems like a new issues appears and as soon as I get thru the "acceptance" period I'll be darned if something else comes. I wish I had been informed of this before I agreed to a tubal. I never had health issues or so much pain before, In fact I very rarely got colds. Now I'm at the point where I'm actually scared of what the next day is going to bring... aside from new insomnia, the nights I do manage to sleep are filled with worry about the day ahead, so still not much rest those nights. This ANXIETY thing, I am (well WAS) the most easy going, carefree and calm person.. I thought I was dying when the first attack hit me, because I've never been anxious and would have never expected that. But at least now I don't feel like I'm going insane and although it sucks so many of us are going thru this because we weren't informed properly I do take comfort knowing that I'm not imagining it all.

June 13, 2014 at 8:36 AM  

I had my TL this last July I have never been able to have kids and lost 3 in two years. After tests it showed I had narrow tubes and that is why I kept have tubal pregnancies. My gynocologist told me that the TL was the best thing that I could do that what good was a baby if there was alot of risk to me so I did it finally. After has been horrible I am always upset easily irritable and have hot flashes and heavy horrible periods. I feel off almost is the easiest way to say it and I don't know what is wrong with me. I have been to the doctor but they say that nothing is wrong. Jus wish I could get some answers I found this and it just felt good to say how I feel and know that I will not be judged it told that it is all me. Thank you for listening.

January 11, 2016 at 11:59 AM  

I am 24. I had my TL about 7months ago. And I knew something was wrong. I had a bad feeling about it, but my doctors urged me that this was my option because I had 3 kids very close together and I had complications (birth control was being used) . So I chose to have it done,and now I am having almost every SINGLE symptom, most of them EVERYDAY. It is so hard I have a 3year old. a 20month old and an 8 month old, and having the PTLS is awful. I can't sleep im up until at least 2, and im always so emotional. I am already regretting this decision. :( Im really glad I have found this site, im glad to know im not alone, and im not the only one dealing with this I thought I was going crazy until I started searching google and found out about PTLS. If anyone has any thing that they have found that helps PLEASE send me a email I would really like to somewhat if any at all possible get this under control. This Sucks! So glad I have an understanding husband but I know that he doesn't understand everytyhing. thanks so much for all the info I really appreciate it!!!!
email: Emilycokeratwork@gmail.com

March 4, 2016 at 6:27 PM  

I had my TL about a week ago and I have been super emotional. Like I cry over everything. I am super sensitive to how people talk to me also. I was diagnosed bi-polar 6 months proir to the TL and I fear it may be making it worse. I had to get the TL done because I genentic deformaty in my genes and both of my kids have had to battle some kind of cancer and I just couldnt risk having another sick baby. I am already on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. I dont know if this is just a temp thing or if this is going to be my life. I have so much to live for but have no energy to do it. I dont regret the surgery because 2 kids is all we wanted anyhow but I just hate the emotional part of this. I have spent enough of my life crying and dont want to spend the rest of it doing the same. Glad I found this website!!!! Thank you ladies and God Bless each of yall!

October 26, 2016 at 8:29 AM  

I had a tubal 11 months ago nothing too different just bloating weight gain and lost of sex drive something that didn't happen before thanks for the website now i know what to look for

October 28, 2016 at 3:32 AM  

I had my tubes removed this July after our son was born( we have 2 daughters as well). I was so doped up tbat first day and a half I felt nothing. By Thursday I was very emotional, irrational thoughts, and worries that didnt even exist. I thought i was just missing home but that didnt help. I thought well maybe after a week or 2 i would be fine but no, i had not gone through post partum before and until recently decided to do research on having a tubal removal and depression being linked and i was shocked to see its a real thing. Thank you for creating a save haven for us all going through it

November 5, 2016 at 5:51 PM  

I had mine December 2013 I have been told I need help was told it was post pardum depression.. Im hypochondriac I feel like everyone hates me nobody cares im hopeless.. My Husband said he would be by myside he understands but he dont and he has given up on me.. I cramp before and during.. Emotions before and after

December 2, 2016 at 6:05 PM  

I had a tubal removal yesterday. Instead of cut tying and burning they actually remove the tubes now so the only way for me to have kids in the future is iv. I already feel a bit emotional plus i just had my new daughter 7 weeks ago. I knew this was something i had to do and even on the operating table i was so sure but now only a day later it makes me sad knowing this is it for me and im 28 yrs old with my 7 week old and a 8 yr old

January 25, 2017 at 5:23 PM  

Does anyone have any treatment options for ptls? I have a drs appointment next week and I want any and all information I can get. I've been on so many different depression medicines​ with very little help since I had my tubes tied. The week or a few days before my period I get so emotional, moody, start fights with my husband. It gets better after my period but it just starts all over again. I cant sleep and I'm so tense, leg cramps body aches, hair loss, tired 24/7 with zero sex drive...it's like she died down there. My poor husband is so kind and understanding but it's really putting a strain on our relationship and each other. If anyone has had any luck with treatment options please let me know!

May 11, 2017 at 9:53 PM  

HELP! WHAT CAN I DO??? I'M SO UPSET AND SEVERELY ANGRY I WANT TO HURT MYSELF. HOW CAB I MAKE THIS STOP? STARTED RIGHT AFTER MY TUBAL

May 21, 2017 at 12:33 PM  

Hi I had tubal ligation done 4 months ago, over the past weeks I have become extremely depressed and yelling at my kids I am constantly tired to the point I have to lay down and sleep twice a day, super heavy periods with cramps i have never had cramps before this! I have now heard this procedure can end up causing an over production of estrogen which makes you estrogen dominant which can cause a lot of the symptoms people are having, and that it should be leveled out with progestrone hormonal therapy, this website.....hormonal effects after tubal ligation www.hotzehwc.com was an interesting read. like all of you I would never of had it done if I had of known, it should be law that doctors clearly let women know what can happen!

July 6, 2017 at 7:49 AM  

hi I'm hearing you, I am having same problem they say it doesn't affect hormones but i have researched that it can one website that supports this is www.hotzehwc.com

July 6, 2017 at 7:53 AM  

I had my TL two years ago at the age of 30. I have 4 children and the last one was a really hard pregnancy (bp problems, baby was not gaining weight properly) and my obgyn convinced me it was the only option. Ever since then I have suffered in silence...until about 6 weeks ago. I finally had the strength to speak up and at first was dismissed but i was persistant. Right now my obgyn is having all kinds of blood tests and hormone tests ran. He keeps telling me that my symptoms have nothing to do with the TL and said it sounds like PMDD. The symptoms do match up with what ive been dealing with but i still believe it is a result of the TL. He hasbeen pushing antidepressants and mood stabilizers but i dont wanna be drugged up all the time. Has anyone had any luck with any alternative therapies? Im in desperate need of help. Im actually thinking about taking the meds to help save myself...but im scared. Any info would be helpful. Its already ruined my marriage...he thought i was "crazy" and for awhile i did too...he even tried to have my children taken from me. Thanks in advance

October 16, 2017 at 8:44 PM  

I had my TL a little more than a year ago when my third child was born via c-section. I was not told ANYTHING about the possible side effects of having this proceedure. Since then I have experienced heavy bleeding lasting sometimes 3 weeks out of the month, weight gain, severe mood swings. Severe cramping, changes to my libido, severe depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts, headaches, migraines, many new symptoms & older issues are now exacerbated. The father of two of my children doesn't want me anymore. I've become too much of a pain in the ass I guess. We don't talk. We don't sleep in the same bed. I think he might really think I am crazy... & maybe I am. I feel crazy a lot of the time.
I'm unpredictable. I feel so angry about the whole thing & now what was once a mild fear of doctors has exploded into full on white coat syndrome that causes me to have a panic attack/hypertensive emergency (severe increase in blood pressure) whenever I have to deal with them. I'm not sure what to do... I fear the next time I have to see a doctor I'll have a stroke or a heart attack from the stress & anxiety of it... what do I do? I really miss my Hunni...he's a fantastic father & a good man. He doesn't deserve this. I feel like an empty shell of who I used to be. I'm kicking myself in the ass every day for making this stupid stupid decision. And my hatred is growing for the "medical professionals" that do this to women without telling them honestly what they're in for. It's so wrong & evil. Can't something be done??

November 29, 2017 at 5:06 AM  

Omg I'm so happy you shared this!!! I've been thinking I've lost my mind and I was some mental case. I myself had my tubes tied after my 3rd child. I have a condition that makes having babies so hard on my body. About 6 months ago I too would feel something like "kicks" of course I thought I was out right crazy. I never spoke to anyone about what in was going through. How could I? They'd think I was nuts!!! Well my periods have been getting so bad that I reached out to my best friend who also had the operation to see if she had experienced any symptoms with her periods since! Of course we were in the same boat. I broke down and told her I almost felt at times I was pregnant I felt so crazy just typing this out to her. I was beyond nervous she would think In was a nut case. To my surprise she also had similar symptoms. We both are researching what this could be. That's when I came across this website on Google. While scrolling through these comments I stumbled upon yours. When I read what you have been going through I just broke down and cried for the longest time. Finally someone who is going through the same thing as us. Ty for sharing. I now know were not alone!!!

May 18, 2018 at 1:57 AM  

I didn't get to have babies. I did it just to cut off hope. I'll be 4o in the spring. Too late. Unwanted. I would have been so great at it. Sad

January 23, 2020 at 8:19 PM  

It is no secret that I have a very deep and personal relationship with God. I have pushed and resisted that relationship this past year through all the bullshit I have had to go through living with Herpes but once again, God is bigger than my stubbornness and broke through that outbreak cold sore and all I had Genital Herpes. For me personally, hearing over and over how I am not good enough has really invaded my mind in the worst way possible. I completely shut down and I was just waking up like is this how life going to end this temporary herpes outbreak “fuck everybody with herpes if you know what I mean” but let's be honest here...
It is cowardly to say no to herbal medicine. It is fear based. And it is dishonest to what my heart wants. Don't build a wall around yourself because you are afraid of herbals made or taking a bold step especially when it's come to health issues and getting cured. So many young men/ women tell me over and over that Dr Itua is going to scam me but I give him a try to today I feel like no one will ever convince me about herbal medicine I accept Dr Itua herbal medicine because it's cure my herpes just two weeks of drinking it and i have been living for a year and months now I experience outbreak no more, You can contact him if you need his herbal medicine for any such diseases like, Herpes, Parkinson, Diabetes, Hepatitis, Syndrome, Cancers, HIV, Epilepsy, Infertility, and any kind of disease & Infections Love Spell,. Email..drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com then what's app.+2348149277967.... My advice to any sick men/women out there is simple... Be Always an open book. Be gut wrenching, honest about yourself, your situation, and what you are all about. Don't hold anything back. Holding back will get you nowhere...maybe a one way ticket to lonelyville and that is NOT somewhere you want to be. So my final truth...and I'm just starting to grasp this one..    

March 19, 2021 at 11:42 PM  

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