Title: Permanent family planning methods
Course: Level 3 - Family Planning > Section: Overview of postpartum, post-abortion and permanent family planning methods

For individuals and couples desiring no more children, permanent family planning provides the most effective protection against pregnancy. It offers the advantage over other contraceptive methods that it is a once-only procedure. The need for continued contraceptive supplies is eliminated. Globally permanent method of contraception is the most popular and commonly used method of contraception but is the least utilised in Ethiopia

It is possible to improve the acceptability of the family planning methods in the community, following an effective counselling and improving the availability of permanent methods of contraception.

Mechanism of action

The voluntary surgical contraception (VSC) procedure blocks either the sperm ducts (vasa deferentia) or the oviducts (fallopian or uterine tubes) to prevent the meeting of sperm and ovum, which makes fertilisation and pregnancy impossible. The procedure for males is called vasectomy and tubal ligation for females. As part of your family planning counselling, you have to include this method as an option during your counselling session for family planning methods available.