Tubal ligation is highly effective as a permanent method of contraception, with most studies reporting a failure rate of less than 1% per year, meaning more than 99% of people who undergo the procedure will not get pregnant in a year. Some research indicates that the long-term failure rate (over 10 years) can be higher, with estimates ranging from about 0.7 to 8.4 pregnancies per 100 women, depending on the technique used and patient age.

Effectiveness by Technique

• The most effective methods, such as removing the fallopian tubes or using modern laparoscopic techniques, have failure rates as low as 1 in 200 (0.5%) over several years.

• Older or less effective methods, like spring clips, have higher failure rates, sometimes up to 3.6% over 10 years.

• Younger women (under 35) may have slightly higher failure rates compared to older women.

Comparison to Other Methods

• Tubal ligation is more effective than most reversible methods (like pills or condoms) and is comparable to other permanent options such as vasectomy and modern intrauterine devices (IUDs).

• While highly effective, tubal ligation is more invasive and carries a small risk of complications such as infection or injury to nearby organs.

Overall, tubal ligation is considered one of the most effective forms of contraception available, but no method is 100% foolproof, and rare failures can occur.