No. It's the same principle as abortion - a woman should be free to do with her body as she wishes. our society has no business regulating what goes on with a woman and her doctor.

Even my hyper-conservative father, who is a gynecologist, will do this procedure.

If the women are adults then it's their decision. If they change their mind then it's just something they have to live with.

I agree with Chillchic, if later down the road you decide otherwise then thats your problem. On the other hand, if she knows she doesn't ever ever ever want to have kids, then the worst thing is if she accidentally has one and now hates it.

If you really think thats the right choice for you then so be it. Its your choice.

I think the minimum age should be the age of consent, or 18. However, I don't think we should force doctors into providing this service if they are uncomfortable with it, but that causes another problem, because a lot of doctors won't perform it on younger women due to fear of lawsuits.

Totally agree, Kimbo.

agree with SKG & Kimbo.... if you're an adult, you can make your own decisions.... who says a 40 year old is more mature or more aware of what is right for her body/reproductive health than a 24 year old? and I agree too that doctors shouldn't be forced to do it

18 should be the minimum. I think it would be a stupid choice if made before the age of say 35, but women should have the right to make that choice once they become a legal adult.

heh whatever makes a person happy. Doctors shouldn't deny women sterilizations and if she changes her mind, yea i gotta agree with chillchic that its something that a woman has to live with. Of course there are adoptions. But that's part of being an adult, making decisions, sticking to them. And yea doctors shouldn't do them if they don't want to, so you keep searching for a doctor that you click with and that gets your decision.

I think women should have the right and if they have made their decision then so be it. Who are we to tell anyone that they have to have children and therefore cannot be sterilized.

I'm sorry but it's incredibly sexist and ageist to deny a young woman this procedure. She's being responsible by taking steps to not have children she won't want/be able to care for and she can't get it done! Meanwhile if she got pregnant she would be looked down on.

It's clear that women can't win when it comes to their reproductive choices. Why do other people feel the need to make choices for women regarding their own bodies?

I agree -- as long the woman is of legal age, she should be allowed to make that decision.

Of course, the doctor should do it. He or she is suppose to practice non-judgmental medicine. It similar to when a woman asks for an abortion (given that it's legal), OR if a woman decides to keep a pregnancy (against medical advice). It's NOT up to the doctor to decide. It's the patient's decision.

It's not just women that they are keeping from getting sterilized at a young age, a lot of doctors won't preform a vasectomy on someone who is young or hasn't had any children. My husband and I have looked up some information because we're interested in getting a vasectomy for him because we decided 3 years ago (or more) that we don't want children but we're still young enough that people question our decision. I feel like it's an age thing to be honest with you. Older people think young people are stupid, they think we don't know what we want and you can't even imagine how many times I've heard, " You'll change your mind, I did." I would just like people to mind their own business and let people make their own decisions, if it's mistakes then we live with the consequences, so be it.
If we're old enough to fight (and die) for our country then we should be old enough to decide if we want children or not.

Is there a minimum age for a vasectomy? alright then

I pretty much agree with everyone on this issue. Your body, your decision.

I'm absolutely with SKG on this one. I've been wanting this procedure since I was 16 and couldn't find a hormonal birth control that didn't completely screw up my body. Everyone always said that I would change my mind, but I'm 28 and I haven't. And I won't.

I am in favor of keeping your options open. That would be my advice.
"The relative risk of requesting reversal for women sterilized before age 25 was 18 times that of women sterilized after age 29."
from: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0010782496001710

I also agree with the majority - as long as they are of legal age (18) then I think it's fine. I honestly think it's wonderful that someone would be self aware enough to make this kind of decision. (just as much as I think it's great that those women who really want to be Moms and would make great Moms should be able to do so).

i have to support her right to make the choice.
however, i cannot help but think she may end up regretting it - i didn't want children at that age either, but 10 years later my mind has changed.

on 18 years old, the legal age...
not for be a women it means you have to be a mom, i think be a mom is something you born to do it, just you know. some people aren't born to do it, that doesn't means they aren't complete.
every person have differents road to find the happiness, for some have children isn't included.
is a personal choice.
but i don't think the doctor have to be forced to do that procedure, i think you will find a doctor who feel comfortable doing that

I think she is old enough to make that decision on her own. I heard of a similar story before where this doctor would ask the girls questions like "what if a millionare said he wanted to marry you but would only do so if you would have his children" and things like that to see if they would change their minds.

I used to think that I would absolutely want this procedure (as a teen) and although I still do not want any children at all and possibly never will, I think things do change and one day for some strange reason if i ever do change my mind, I want to keep my options open.

i think this is better than a the woman having an unwanted and an unloved child. she should be able to do what she wants with her body.

Wow does this every hit home and remind me again why I switched doctors. I have been considering sterilization since I turned 18 and have been continually told by medical folks that it would be unwise to consider because I am 'unmarried and will probably change my mind'. I have never wanted children of my own. If I did decide on raising children, I've always wanted to adopt. Every time I asked I get the look of 'but you're so young of COURSE you're going to want a million babies once you find yourself a man!'

I'm 27 now, on the pill, have a wonderful man in my life and neither of us want kids - shock! He has a daughter from a previous relationship we both adore but we've discussed it many times and don't want any of our own. We're happy just having her in our lives. Once I have insurance again it is definitely time to explore this option again.

I've known since I was a kid myself that I didn't want kids. Everybody told me I'd change my mind when I was older or when I met the right man. Now I'm 30 y/o and I've got the man and neither of us want kids. I am not fond of hormonal BC and would LOVE this option, but no doctor I've encountered will support the decision because I'm not married and have no children. I think I'm old enough to make this decision for myself.

I never even knew this was an option! I have known since I was a child that I don't want kids. What's funny is everyone except my parents always said "you'll change your mind". But my parents knew I was serious and just accepted that my brother was their only hope for grandchildren. I'm going to be 30 this year and I still don't want children. There's too many things I want to accomplish in my life and I'd be resentful and bitter towards a child if it prevents me from doing that, besides I have really strong views on overpopulation and would hate myself for being a hippocrit. I'm married now and hate taking birth control every day and don't want to take it for the next 15 years until I enter menopause. I think I may look into this.

I think she should be allowed to make that choice for herself, but I do hope she lets her soon-to-be husband know of this decision. It is her body, but it would very cruel to do this without discussing with her husband. Maybe there should be a counseling/waiting period (similar to when women donate their eggs or have a sex change) just to be 100% positive that you're not going to change your mind. Up until the age of 24, I was convinced I would never want kids. I thought it was selfish to have a child when there are so many unwanted children and I thought I would never want to give up so much of my free time. Now I'm 25 and my mind has changed. I know I'd like to have a baby some day and I'm so glad I didn't make any harsh decisions before.

I guess it's her decision to do this permanent surgery, but honestly, life changes people... I can see her wanting to change her mind.

It irritates me to read that some of you have been told that you can't be sterilized because you're single. It's outragous that doctors think that once you're married, you'll change your mind, especially if you're in your 20s or 30s and have thought this through. I'm really outraged for you ladies, they seem to be telling you that you need a man (your future husband) to approve this! That you can't do something to your own body without a man saying it's ok. That's awful.

I agree that an 18 year old woman should be allowed to be sterilized if she wishes. I also agree doctors shouldn't be forced to do the procedure. Maybe there should be a waiting period between when you ask for it and when you get it, so that you can be sure? I mean, once it's done, it's done. But you can always adopt, there are so many kids out there that need homes.

If you are 18 or over, you should be allowed to make a decision. However, I am all for people taking a little bit of time to truly think over what they are doing. This is not a decision to be made based on a bad babysitting experience or a bad teaching experience. This decision should definitely be made after you weigh the pros and cons, and if at the moment you are 100% sure of your decision. Don't do something major if you're 50/50 or think that in the near future you will regret it immensely. That's not to say we deny a woman that asks, but kindly remind her maybe a little extra thinking time could serve her well if she is even the slightest bit unsure. I agree with suziryder, perhaps a waiting period would be a good idea. There are a lot of procedures that require that as well. And if the doctor is against performing this, then get another one.

Would I do this? Personally, I am majorly on the fence about kids. I like the idea of babies and I love to teach teenagers -- but anything in between, no thanks. Plus, teaching is vastly different from having your own, even though some days you feel the mom part 2. I could never do something like this at my age. If at 25 or 26 I still feel like kids just are not for me, this is definitely an option. I don't care what my marital status is, and I certainly don't care if people think I am too young. It's not as if I'm 12.

I think the reason why people say to not do it is because they had kids and it ended up being a wonderful experience. Not everyone is cut out for a child, not everyone wants their life to consist of a child. Plus, if you did f*ck up and you end up regretting it, adoption is still available.

Your body your choice. It's that simple.

Like everyone else, it's your choice. (I'm actually really impressed that there is pretty much a consensus). If you change your mind, you can always adopt.

What if she later tries to sue because she feels she was "railroaded" into making the decision to sterilise?

It's a whole legal black hole. Why can't she just have an implant fitted or take the pill or whatever?

Sure, sex without condoms is great but NO METHOD apart from complete abstinence is 100%!!

Sparkle are you saying that if a woman knows she doesn't want children, she shouldn't have sex for her entire life? I'm confused by your abstinence statement. If someone makes a decision, they aren't "railroaded" they are just certain of a fact. I'm certain that I don't want to live in New York but I won't sue the state because of it. I don't want children either. Lawsuits can be avoided. That's why many companies have people sign forms saying that the company is not liable for the decision made by the person signing it.

It isn't a legal black hole. It's about personal decisions.

There are things you know about yourself. And people who want and have babies can't seem to understand those of us who don't want them. We're not judging you, we're just honest with ourselves.

The legal issue has a simple remedy: sign a form saying you waive the doctor's liability if you ever change your mind.

That being said, most sterilization procedures are reversible. So even if a woman changes her mind, she can always look into reversing the process. That should be her right as an adult.

In my mind, it's no different than breast implants. You might really want them now, but if 10 years go by, and you change your mind for some reason, you can get them removed. It's that simple.

TAjunkie, sterilization procedures are NOT reversible! Once that choice has been made it's pretty much forever. Even if they can reverse it the chance of getting pregnant is still very very low. If the damage can be repaired you would still have to go through a battery of fertilization procedures in order to potentially get pregnant. Not to mention sterilization is a pretty hefty procedure for women. It's not exactly the in and out that it is for men to be sterilized. Once it's done, it's pretty much done forever.

I suppose I am not in the popular opinion here. I do believe in her body her choice however I think in this case sterilization is not something that should be offered to young women. I understand that not everyone wants kids but then, many women do not want children in their 20s and then find themselves desiring them later in life. This could be due to many things but the fact of the matter is that you look at life differently from say 18 to 28. Or even 18 to 22. Many things can change in just a few years.

And I think part of the reason why they don't like to do it to young single women isn't because you need a man's approval but because your opinion on children may change when/if you do find that person who is the love your life. Then again it may not.

And I do think that legal issues have a role in it to. A woman who is sterilized at 22 comes to a judge ten years later in tears because they are unable to conceive and says that they were young and weren't in the right state of mind to make that decision. That they were young and didn't have the life experiance and that the doctor just snipped away without really looking into them as a person.

I think that if this procedure is offered that people should have to go through the same hoops that they do for getting a sex change simply because it IS permanent. All the psych evaluations and everything.

There isn't a form you can sign to waive a doctors liability, that would be quite legally unsound and would never hold up in a court 10 years later when the woman could potentially have changed her mind.

I don't like the anonymous commenting system on here, it allows people to hide behind their words and not take full credibility for their opinions. I have no problem in sharing my opinions.

The things a woman knows about herself at 22 are very different to the things she knows about herself at 30. This isn't speculation, this is fact ! I declared at 8, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 21 that I never wanted kids. Now I'm 26 and my mind has completely changed and I do want them. What if I had been allowed to undergo the sterilisation procedure at 18? How terrible would that have been now? It would have been MY own fault but why was a doctor letting somebody so young make those kind of decisions?

Anyway, there is no right or wrong answer about this. If the woman is permitted to go ahead she should undergo all of the necessary counselling and pre-sterlisation checks that other major change patients also have to (i.e. sex change).

i hate kids. i'd be a horrible mother. why shouldn't i be allowed to do this if i so wish?

If a woman can choose whether to get pregnant, get a sex change, have an abortion, she can sure as hell choose whether or not she wants to have kids and therefore whether she wants to be sterilised!
As people are saying, if she regrets it later, that is her own burden and she clearly understands the implications of it. There are lots of decisions in life which have serious implications but that doesn't mean we aren't capable of making them!

(Although I do see peoples points about different life stages, different opinions etc.. its not like you either have to get sterilised or end up with loads of babies, there are options in between. But people make decisions like this with equally serious implications every day, if she does do it and then goes on to regret it, thats her own problem. Its not like the law or government or whoever can make rules just so we don't have to live with the consequences of our own decisions!)

I have made the decision that I never want kids. It is something that I have always known. That "need" to have children has never been in my life. I enjoy the freedom and quiet lol! I also know that finding the right man would not change that decision. I look for those who don't want children.

With that being said there are those of you worried about the seriousness of the medical procedure. I saw on a television show and have researched online Essure. There is no cutting, no general anesthesia, no hormones and no recovery time! Its quick and you are out of the office right after! It is complete sterilization and you just have to use a backup method of birth control for a few months afterward while the insertions do their job (all of this is on the website). After a few months the doctor can run a minor test to make sure you are completely sterile!

If you are in any doubt about wanting kids before getting any sterilization procedure done, you could always have some of your eggs frozen. Women are having children at later stages in life and it is becoming a more common practice because (I've heard) younger eggs are "supposed to be healthier."

That is just my opinion on the topic and believe me I have been wanting this done for years (I'm 26)! It is definitely better than the alternatives (unwanted child, regret, abortion, another child up for adoption, worry every month). I believe a woman has the right to chose.